Life As a Vet Student: Health and Fitness

By Chelsea Mason

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Fitness has always been a huge part of my life, and it has become even more important to me since I started veterinary school.  Going to the gym helps me relieve stress, and it is the one extracurricular activity that I make sure I make time for every day.   I go straight from class to the gym in the evening, which gives me a nice mental break in between class and homework. On days when I just don’t have enough time to get in a full workout, I will do mini-workouts in between tasks.  I may study for 30 minutes, do some push-ups and sit-ups, and then start studying again. Whether I work out before or during my studies, I’ve found that I focus much better and can retain more information after some type of physical activity.  

The weekends are a great opportunity for me to let off some steam, and there’s no better way to do it than getting out and getting back to nature.  Whenever the weather permits, I try to get out and hike or bike, or even just take a long walk around the neighborhood.  After sitting in a classroom all week and hardly seeing the light of day, the sunlight and fresh air can be quite therapeutic.   No matter what it is that you like to do; swimming, running, kayaking, whatever it is, make sure that you make time for it!  The best way to keep your mind focused is to do what my biochemistry professor refers to as “sharpening the ax.” By taking a little bit of time to take care of yourself, you’ll keep your mind sharp and ready to tackle that week of labs, exams, and quizzes.

Creative Corner "Frosted"

By Oneal Peters

Colorado State University

Class of 2013

Creative Corner

By Claire McPhee

North Carolina State University

Class of 2012

Introducing Your SCAVMA Secretary Elect: Chad Clancy

Name, Position on EB: Chad Clancy Secretary Elect

 

School and Year: 3rd year at Iowa State University

 

Hometown: Spencer, Iowa

 

 Your area of interest within veterinary medicine: Production Animal Medicine and Pathology

 

 

 A goal that you have for your year in that office elect position: Get to know the entire HOD, hopefully enhance communication between delegates and make the HOD a great place to interact with other vet students.

 Your favorite SCAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not): VLE without a doubt. Getting to know so many awesome individuals! I still talk to group members, hang out with them at national meetings and have even had the opportunity to see some outside of SCAVMA events. There are so many awesome vet students across the US and I wish everyone had the opportunity to really connect to others across the US. 

Something fun about yourself:  I have a 2 year old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, named Griffon. We are opposites in almost every way, but I still love him... most days. I like singer/songwriter music, but I grew up on country. I might like Taylor Swift a little too much, but only her country songs. The oddest pets I've ever had were Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. I plan on owning a miniature cattle farm when I actually grow up. Not because their meat cuts are more proportional to what we should eat in our diets, but because if I go riding in their pasture I'll feel like a giant. 

 

 

Introducing Your SCAVMA Information Technology Officer Elect: Taylor Simon

Name, Position on EB:  Taylor Simon, Information and Technology Officer Elect

School and Year: Louisiana State University class of 2013

Hometown: Erath, LA

 Your area of interest within veterinary medicine:  Equine Medicine

Description of what your office entails: My office entails keeping inventory, managing and upgrading SAVMA’s hardware and software (keeping track of all the high tech gizmos).  Working in coordination with staff at the AVMA head quarters to update the SAVMA web site. To take photographs at the House of Delegates meetings, sharing the efforts made with the rest of our members.

 A goal that you have for your year in that office elect position:  To continue the great work done by my predecessors.  I will maintain and organize the equipment that helps the SAVMA House of Delegates run smoothly.  Also, I will work to spread the word of what SAVMA does for it’s members and the importance of involvement in organized veterinary medicine. 

 Your favorite SCAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not):  I’ve loved meeting new people and making connections.  Being a SAVMA delegate has been a great opportunity to travel and experience new places and the people who make them special.  The best trip I was lucky enough to go on was the IVSA Symposium in Slovenia.  This was a meeting of international students from across the globe.  It was a truly amazing once in a lifetime opportunity.

Something fun about yourself:   I enjoy running, reading, and painting as an escape from the rigors of vet school.  My bucket list includes traveling to every continent, skydiving, bungee jumping, and the recently crossed off bull riding.