It is an exciting, nerve-wracking, and
anxiety filled time to be a third year veterinary student. We are
three weeks from beginning our fourth year. It is frightening how
over the short time between Friday May 6th and Monday May 9th we
are expected to have transformed from the lecture and lab student
role that we have mastered over the past three years to students
working one on one with clients on cases in the large and small
animal hospitals.
Of course we are all excited to be moving one step closer to May
of 2012 when we will walk across the stage and be able to sign DVM
behind our names. The clinical and hands on experience that we will
gain over the next 12 months will allow us to apply all of the
knowledge that we have worked so hard to learn, but therein lies
our greatest source of anxiety. Will I be able to recall the
information that I learned three years ago? Do I know enough? Can I
apply the facts that I have learned to real life cases? They say
these nervous feelings are normal for students as they look to
begin their fourth year, and that we will all prove to be more than
prepared for our clinical rotations. I guess we will know very soon
if this will also be the case for us.
The next year will bring many exciting changes. This time next
year I will have hopefully passed my national board exams,
hopefully will have a position at an equine exclusive internship
for my first year after graduation, and will be a few short weeks
from graduation. Although it seems like that time will be a reality
so far from now, I know that in veterinary school time has a way of
rushing past you. So until that time comes, I am looking forward to
getting my hands dirty and learning how to put the past three years
of studying to work!