Relationships and Vet School

Entry, Life as a Vet Student Category
Kaitlin Lonc,  Michigan State University

On Thanksgiving Day 2011, my wonderful boyfriend popped the question and I said yes.  On the Monday after, I almost failed my pathology exam because I got so distracted by the shiny new ring on my finger.  My brain: Caseous necrosis?!? Ooh…. shiny!

Vet school and relationships?  I’d like to think I’ve got it down but little did I know how stressful planning a wedding and taking classes would truly be! An average day in my life consisted of going to class from 8am to 5pm, then to our pre-marital counseling, then the homework began for the next day.  

I can’t say that I did it alone though-for example, the DIY invitations that seemed like such a good idea until I realized they needed to be sent out during my final exams were promptly dumped on my poor fiancé, who recruited his friends to come over one night and put 150 address labels on envelopes.

So what did this experience teach me? In a word, vet school + relationships=balance.  You need to realize you can’t do it all.  And sometimes you really do need to put family first.  The studying will take care of itself if you truly want to carve out that time so that you can be with your loved ones.  It’s like that old rock/sand/jar analogy- you gotta put the big ones in first. 

And sometimes, you just have to learn to let go… you can’t please everyone. You need to ask for help sometimes, and be able to say no.  And let your family know that you’re going through a stressful time and that you’re doing the best you can to make everyone happy (sorry family).  And just remember, in a few short years it will all be over, so make the best of vet school while you can. 

 

How the University of Glasgow stole my heart

Entry, Experiences Category
Greer Tison, University of Glasgow

Four years ago I made the most important decision of my life, to accept an offer to attend vet school in Glasgow, Scotland.  During my application process  I poured through possible schools to apply to wondering  if I would get in and if I did where on earth I would end up.  I thought about the east coast, close to my family, the west coast or even perhaps somewhere in the middle of country (unknown territory for an east coast girl!).  After doing a bit more research I came across AVMA accredited international schools and a light went off in my brain, how great would it be to earn my veterinary degree and embark on the journey of a lifetime all at once. I was tempted; I applied to 8 schools total, 4 being international. At my interview for Glasgow I immediately liked them, they asked very probing ethical and clinical questions but were welcoming, it felt like a conversation more than an inquisition, as some of my interviews went! I received my acceptance letter and that was it, I packed up and moved across the ocean to continue my dream of being a vet, with heroes of the likes of James Herriot dancing in my head. 

Going to school in Glasgow has given me a unique experience to say the least, I’ve had the opportunities to travel all over the UK and a little bit of the world  learning animal husbandry and health as well as taking part in animal charities that focus on disease prevention and spaying and neutering.  My second year during our March break, I went lambing in Wales for three weeks, one of the best trips of my life! I worked hands on with a local sheep farmer from dawn until way after dusk to help the farm lamb over 500 ewes.  I was taken aback by the dedication, hard work, and never ending enthusiasm that the farmer had every single day. All UK vet schools require that each vet student do at least 2 weeks of lambing in their student careers. 

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My Reaction to Exams

Entry, Creative Corner
Euan McKenzie, University of Glasgow

Contemplation and condemnation
Concentration or procrastination
Examination, examination!!!
Celebration... or commiseration?

No, I don't have a saddle for him

Entry, Creative Corner

Matt Kamrath, University of Minnesota

Matt and his dog "Thor." Thor is a 160 pound 2 year old Great Dane that eats 10-12 cups of dry food a day.

Happy as a Bird with a French Fry

Entry, Life as a Vet Student

Tia Chambers, Ross University

After living on a tiny island for nearly eight months, my time to visit home finally arrived. I spent the night before my departure checking and double checking my luggage to be sure that I had not forgotten to pack anything. The list I used to pack was one I had been working on since I first arrived on the island. Everything is expensive here in St. Kitts, whether it be buying things or shipping packages to or from the States, so this list was imperative to me.

The morning of my departure, I had a friend drive me to the airport, which is literally right across the street from my apartment. If the road I lived on was paved, I could have walked my intended checked bag, carry on and personal item all the way there while only breaking a light sweat. I arrived a whole two hours before my plane departed and checked my bag without a hitch, except having to wait in line for about forty minutes to get to the counter. Only another hour to wait after getting through security and I was home free, but I wouldn't consider it done until I had landed in Charlotte. After all, so many things could keep me from home: malfunctioning departing aircraft, overbooked flight, random unforeseen issues...they happen...

We lifted off from St. Kitts en route to Charlotte, NC as the sun began to sink into the ocean...

Yet, none of them did, and inside, I was giggling like a school girl as we made our descent to my awaiting connecting flight. The city lights of Charlotte, North Carolina sparkled down below us like the stars had fallen out of the sky. I started taking it in, as much as I could, with the lights. I stepped off the plane and felt a slight chill in the air while making my way to the terminal. I smiled instead of regretting that I had failed to wear the appropriate winter attire.

It was 10:30pm and my eyes were droopy. My clothes were wrinkled and my hair was disheveled, but I didn't care. I was in America. Only fifty-four minutes and a few sleepy head bobs later, I was reaching for my carry on in the stow compartment and making my way down to baggage claim. It may seem trivial, but I couldn't express to you how emotional it was to see Brian, my fiancé, standing at the bottom of the escalator with an Ale-8-One and a coat and scarf for me on either side of his outstretched arms.

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