This semester is flying by! We are already into our sixth
week of the Fall semester (more than a quarter of the way
through)! Looking back, first year passed by pretty quickly,
although at the time, it definitely didn't feel like it. I
still remember the first day of orientation: the nervousness, the
excitement, and catching the
"I'm-just-a-first-year-I-don't-know-what's-going-on"
syndrome. Luckily, when I arrived at the school, I found a
fellow lost soul in the parking lot, who ended up becoming one of
my closest friends.
The first year of veterinary school was a big adjustment period
for me. It was my first time away from home, my first time
living on my own, and, of course, the start of some of the most
stressful yet rewarding years of my life. Thankfully, I had
an amazing vet school family that helped me through it all
(shoutout to the Class of 2015: y'all are awesome!). With
that being said, the transition into second year was pretty
easy. It's nice not being so lost, or stressed for that
matter. The 2VM schedules are a pleasant change from the
craziness that is first year. Sleep, a once novel concept, is
now most often a twice daily occurrence. So, to the first
years, I promise it gets better!
As a second year, we have the option of being a part of a
mentoring program that pairs us up with an incoming first
year. I love being able to help someone whose shoes I was in
not so long ago, especially since I know how stressful it can
be! I would say that my mentee and I were paired up pretty
well. In fact, I'm pretty sure we're the same person: we are
the same age, we are both only children, we both play the piano,
and, of course, we both love animals, um, so I'd say we're the same
person. Plus, she has the same name as one of my best friends
in vet school, so I'd say it was meant to be. On her first
day of school, I surprised her with a basket of goodies and
essentials for the school year: pens, pencils, highlighters, and
let's not forget the oh-so-essential Febreze to keep the
intoxicating smell that is anatomy at bay. Since then, I have
been checking up on her to make sure she's surviving okay, which
includes taking study breaks at Cold Stone Creamery with her
mentor! I think the best advice I can give right now to her
and other first years is to "Just keep swimming."
Until next time!