A Much-Needed Spring Break
This spring semester has certainly flown by; we are already over halfway through with it. It has been a very busy first half for most of the mixed and large animal students. Besides our regular classes, as third years, we get to take electives, which are specialty classes we get to choose to take based on what interests us. Being mixed or large animal, we get to “celebrate learning” a few more times throughout the semester (by taking tests) than our small animal counterparts. Some might complain about more tests, but I find it rewarding to be able to learn more about the profession I will be entering in just 14 short months. One of the large animals electives I found to be excellent this semester is the bovine reproduction laboratory class. I was able to palpate four cows twice a week to determine their pregnancy status. I now feel confident that when I graduate I will be able to do this on my own.
With all the craziness that came with the past nine weeks, such as with tests, homework assignments, and projects for classes and electives, I am so ready for spring break. I am excited for my plans, which have been a year in the making. On Sunday morning, I am flying to the Cayman Islands to spend my week on the beach. I will also get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to feed large stingrays. I will get to go snorkeling and possibly even go fishing for rare fish that we do not get down on the gulf coast. One of the main things I am excited for next week is just being able to relax and read a book for fun. I will be staying down in the sun for six days, getting there Sunday morning and not leaving until Friday afternoon. I just hope I do not get sunburned too badly when I go!
This break is especially important to take for third years, like myself, because this is the last real break we have in our education. We will start fourth year just three days after our finals week this spring. I am anxious to start fourth year, but I am going to enjoy my week in paradise first before thinking about preparing to be a fourth-year student.