mylifeasadvmstudent

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

“She was never quite ready. But she was brave. And the universe listens to brave.”

— Rebecca Ray

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

When you know an aggressive client is coming in tomorrow...

#vetmed #lifeofavet #vetlife

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

Studying for the NAVLE

#vetstudent #vetstudentlife #lifeofavetstudent #thelifeofavetstudent #vetschool #rusvm #vetstudentblr #vetstudentstruggles #ross #vetlife

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

When you get a pets script but you haven’t seen the pet in a year....

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

There will always be doctors you can’t please, doctors that will see you as someone below them, but we aren’t meant to please everyone and not everyone is going to like us. And it’s ok. We will be ok. Keep your head up. It happens. Just keep swimming.

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

When a resident actually lets you do something...

#vetstudent #vetstudentlife #lifeofavetstudent #thelifeofavetstudent #vetschool #vetstudentblr #rusvm #vetstudentstruggles #vetlife

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

When you ask a resident a question they don’t know so they throw it back at you...

#residents #vetlife #veterinaryschool #vetstudent #vetschool

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

Identity Crisis

“Hey, vet student. Come do this task no one else wants to do.” “*Sighs* This is all wrong, I would bet it was the vet student.” “Don’t worry, we will just make the vet student do it.” “Please don’t tell me a vet student will be doing this?” “You can’t be serious? Don’t you know you are only a vet student?”

When I was a starry-eyed pre-vettie touring at a vet school, all I could think about was how amazing it would be to finally be a vet student in that shiny white coat, saving lives and functioning as a smart and knowledgeable vetling. But now, 4 years into my existence as a vet student… it’s not what I thought it would be. At all. Instead of a confident, happy, brilliant, competent person, I am a “vet student.” A stumbling, nervous, anxious, inexperienced, loses knowledge faster than losing socks in a dryer, seemingly incompetent, never thinks they are good or smart enough, vet student. 

There are many times where I feel consumed by this vet student identity. Like I am being suffocated in a musty, rotting cocoon and I just may not ever emerge as a beautiful butterfly.  

Yes, I am a vet student, but I am also a human. A caring, nerdy, sensitive, passionate human that is so much more than “just” a vet student. And my dear friends, so are you. You are so much more than whatever your temporary situation is. 

I’m starting to see it, and I hope one day that you see it too. 

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

Clinical Burn-out

Most of the time, I enter the veterinary teaching hospital excited to learn and possibly save some lives.

Most of the time, I am enthusiastic about my cases and will eagerly research things I don’t know.

Most of the time, I understand that I won’t know everything and that I will grow with time and practice.

Most of the time, I enjoy educating clients and discussing cases with other vets.

Most of the time, I embrace scary or new situations because I know I will learn from them.

Most of the time, I am okay with doing paperwork until 11 pm or cleaning things when needed.

Most of the time, I am fine with getting up at 5:30-6:00 every morning.

Most of the time, I am content with being busy and not having much social or downtime.

But sometimes…….

Sometimes, I dread or get nervous to talk to clients or attending veterinarians.

Sometimes, I get frustrated at not knowing something or frequently forgetting things I try so hard to remember.

Sometimes, I’m dread waking up at 11 in the morning, let alone 5:30 am.

Sometimes, the last thing I want to do is to take even one step into the veterinary teaching hospital.

Sometimes, I am so overwhelmed with things to know and things to do that I become paralyzed and don’t feel like I can do anything.

Sometimes, I anguish over how unfair it is that I am doing more paperwork and cleaning than I am actually learning for my career.

Sometimes, I get depressed and upset that I am spending such much time at the hospital instead of being a normal, happy, and mentally well, human.

Sometimes, I have massive amounts of anxiety over preforming new procedures or doing something outside my comfort zone.

And sometimes, I am so burnt-out that I can’t see the light to this tunnel that is vet school. 

And that’s okay. Because everyone can, and is allowed, to become burnt-out sometimes. To anyone else struggling with me, know that this is temporary, and that there are ways to find recovery, and ways to reach out and help one another. You are not alone, and we are all going to get through this together <3

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

Imposter Syndrome: Clinical Rotation Edition

When I was a wee first year, I used to have these recurring “episodes” where I felt like someone was going to turn around the corner and take away my ID badge and tell me that it was a mistake that I was accepted and that I did not deserve to be here. I constantly worried that I was not good or smart enough to be in vet school. As the semesters ticked on, and as I continually passed exams, the little voice in my head telling me that I couldn’t do it started to fade into a dull whisper.  That is, until I entered clinical rotations. Now as I stumble through the first few weeks of rotations, trying to find my place as a clinical student, the whisper that is imposter syndrome has turned into a roar. Every time I am doing a new technical skill, or I am asked a medical question from attendings/clinicians, I freeze with panic and doubt. How can I be a good vet if I can’t place this IV catheter? Or if I do not know all 35 differentials for icterus or anemia? Am I going to be stuck in this limbo of feeling like I am not good enough for this career forever? I once thought I beat imposter syndrome, but it turns out it was lurking in deep recesses in my mind like a latent virus.  

For those who are also experiencing this, in whatever stage of your career or education, know that the voice in your head is LYING to you.  You are good enough. I am good enough. WE are good enough for this career, and the plan of tackling this insidious syndrome is going to be difficult, but I believe it is possible. The plan? Get in there, try your best, get out of your comfort zone, forgive yourself for failures, and prove that little voice wrong one correct question, one day, and one life saved, at a time.  

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

Being a student on clinics like

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

I don’t understand why Tumblr is so anti horse, like horses eat 22 hours a day and are constantly stressed out about everything. Fucking relatable.

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

When you try to answer a question but...

#vetmed #mumbling #whatarewords

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

When you have to present your case to the clinician but they scare you...

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

When you want to hug a calf...but Crypto...

#vetschool #cutecalf #hugs #cattle #cows

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

In Regards to NAVLE

Now that NAVLE scores have been sent to everyone, I wanted to write some words of encouragement for those of the Vetblr community who may not have received the news for which they hoped.  It’s ok if you don’t pass the NAVLE.  You get another chance.  Some people have personal struggles that have beat them down while others are just not good test-takers.

My best friend found out a year ago that she did not pass the NAVLE.  She was not considered to be in the bottom 25% of our class, and yet along with another small group of classmates, she did not pass.  She took it again in the Spring, and this time, she fell just a few points short of passing.  At that time, she had already accepted her dream job and was about to move to a state with very difficult state boards.  Fortunately, her job was supportive of her and still agreed to give her a job (although much lower pay and more tech work).   She’s spent the time since graduation with constant study and work, just barely getting by on finances.  She never gave up.  Today, she found out she had passed the NAVLE.

If you are one of those who didn’t quite make it, it’s ok.  Don’t give up.  It’s not the end of the world.  Keep studying, find what study strategy works for you, and you will get there.  You were accepted into veterinary school because a committee believed in you and knew you had what it took.  Utilize everything available to you whether it be VetPrep, Zuku, or any other study materials.  Take the practice tests.  And don’t criticize those who don’t pass the NAVLE.  Everyone has their own unique struggles and challenges.  You don’t know what that person has been going through, and maybe their personal issues were affecting their ability to focus. 

You are awesome!  Remember that.

[mylifeasadvmstudent]

There will always be doctors you can’t please, doctors that will see you as someone below them, but we aren’t meant to please everyone and not everyone is going to like us. And it’s ok. We will be ok. Keep your head up. It happens. Just keep swimming.

#vetschool #clinics #somedaysarebad #somedaysyouneverforget #rough #tough