For some odd reason, the second year veterinary curriculum
reintroduces the midterm concept. I can't remember the last
time I heard a test called a midterm. It just seems so much
more…. foreboding and cumbersome. To make it more fun, our
three midterms/ exams/ whatever you want to call them, are
back-to-back this week. Just like final exams, except we
still have to go to class and lab every day. So, tonight as I
sit right in the middle of my study marathon (yes, believe it or
not, I studied all day Saturday and Sunday), I decided I needed to
look at the bright side of midterms. Honestly, as I attempted
to study three different subjects at once today, the bright side
wasn't too hard to find.
It's integration. It's the culmination of years of
education that have led us to the point where all knowledge finally
starts to mesh. All day I had those "ooooo that's why I had
to learn that" moments where immunology, physiology, and anatomy
(first year veterinary classes) paid off and aided in my
understanding of pathology, nutrition, and parasitology. It's
an awesome feeling to finally see the big picture. Sometimes
we get so burdened down with the minute details that we fail to
appreciate the gorgeous image right in front of us. While
studying and trying to remember every detail for the impending
exam, you forget to take a step back and see how this information
fits into your future career. You will constantly be
integrating information and pulling knowledge from different
subjects as you treat cases. You will never have the luxury
of solving a case solely based on what you learned in one single
class. Might as well start developing this skill now.One of
the coolest things I took away from my summer of research was an
appreciation for learning solely for the sake of learning- no exam/
midterm involved. I have tried to apply that curiosity to my
studies this year and have found myself much less stressed when I
simply study because I want to understand. Of course grades
are important, especially if you want an internship or residency
after vet school. However, grades shouldn't steal away the
joy of learning.
On another note, I received a letter today containing two
sizable checks to start up a One Health Vector Borne Disease
initiative! Several students and I put together an
application to receive funds from the Student Chapter of the
American Veterinary Medical Association to throw an event that will
educate the public about vector borne diseases. We have
awesome ideas that will hopefully leave a lasting impact and I am
ecstatic that we got full funding to go ahead. It would be
awesome if we could recruit some medical and public health students
to truly make this a One Health initiative. I will definitely
keep yall posted as our plans develop.
Gig Em and God Bless