Blue Coat Ceremony

Before talking about the events that transpired today, a little more about my veterinary experience. I was actually enrolled in the program last fall (2007). I was in the program for a little over 2 months and realized I was really in over my head. I had taken the minimum of science requirements to gain entrance to vet school over a long time period at night while working full-time - not ideal. Plus I took the classes at, shall we say, challenging school. Coming into vet school, I never had a physiology course, a cell biology course nor an anatomy course. I spent just as much time learning physics as I did basic biology. Last fall I realized I rushed things too much just so I could get into school. On day one, the physiology professor asked us 'does anyone not know what oxytocin (or some other hormone) is?' Meakly I raised my hand, expecting others to also. Nope, I was the only one. I felt like a loser then the professor tried to provide an explanation to me in front of the class and, to me, it all sounded like 'blah blah blah blah blah.' She went way too fast and I was still mortified that I was the only one that had raised my hand. Anyway, the first class of vet school in the first 10 minutes I quickly realized I was starting at a much lower level than anyone else. So after gaining 25 pounds (I'm a stress eater), and trying to purserve I decide after those months to withdraw and at least get half my tuition for the semester back.

Since that time, I have taken a lot of courses to prepare me for this fall. And for all you aspiring vet students, I would absolutely recommend taking 1. Medical Terminology, 2. an Anatomy class and 3. as many physiology courses as you possibly can. At least that would have helped me the most. I actually liked Histology and did okay in that course as I liked looking at all the little, cool things under the slide. I'm a geek.

Back to today, this blog probably isn't the best on the web but I have limited patience writing and reviewing this with so much other things going on. Today was our blue coat ceremony (#2 for me, 2 coats! Well worth the tuition). The blue coat ceremony is one that welcomes you to the veterinary field. They call your name, a professor puts on your blue coat, they take pictures then, the best part - you get to eat! The ceremony was nice. My mom came down again which was sweet.

Tomorrow is the start of class, right at 8 a.m. My schedule for tomorrow is:

8-9 GI Physiology
9-12 Histology and lab
1-4 Anatomy and lab

I know what to expect so we'll see how it goes.