I survived the first week

Well, I'm officially a veterinary student.  I've got a good mix of difficult and slightly easier courses, and have figured out that while I'm going to have to work my butt off in physiology, gross anatomy and animal care rock!

We've already had two hands-on classes learning about horses: the first was all review for me, though a brand new experience for some of my classmates, while the second saw us learning the basics of equine physical exams.  It was awesome.  "S," the horse my partners and I were assigned for the second class, was super sweet, and let us poke, prod and listen while standing patiently for all of it.  Or, almost all of it.  "S" did not enjoy having its mouth opened, but consented after we used a shoulder twitch (a restraint method in which the handler grabs a handful of loose skin above the shoulder and essentially pinches it tightly...our instructors weren't totally sure, but they thought it releases endorphins, in time relaxing the horse).  I still need to work on finding the digital pulse, but I was able to listen to the heart, take a temp, check the capillary refill time and jugular refill time, listen for gut sounds, and feel the hooves for heat.

Well, I better go study (really, I should always be studying).  Anatomy, here I come.

Day One

Well, today was Day One of vet school orientation.  A lot of policies and other boring-yet-necessary information.  We got info on keeping ourselves healthy and well, received the results of our Meyers-Briggs personality indicator, and saw the personality profile of our class as a whole.  Lastly, we got some "wisdom" from the older veterinary students and then got to talk in small groups with them.  Nothing too exciting, but we're all so excited to be there I think they could talk about anything and we would listen.  Tomorrow: Day Two.

Holding Pattern

So I'm done moving into my apartment, and other than continuing to figure out where things are located in my new town, I don't really have anything to do.  I don't know anyone other than my roommate, so I don't really have much of a social life.  I've pretty much been hanging out, reading books and watching movies.  My biggest problem of the day is figuring out what I want for dinner.  I did, however, order two books today for my physiology class.  So that's progress, I guess.  I'll try and update during orientation at least once.  Until then, I'm on pause.

Fresh beginnings

I'm starting this blog to chronicle my adventures in vet school.  I've been accepted, I've registered for classes, I got an apartment and a roommate, I'm shopping for books, and now I'm just waiting for orientation to start in a week.  I even got a new haircut!  Posting might be scarce at times (I'll definitely be busy, but I'm sure I'll find time to post when taking breaks/procrastinating), but I'll do my best.

On a sidenote, to protect the privacy of my friends, family, classmates, and potential clients, I will not be using anyone's real name.  Also, all stories regarding cases seen (which probably won't happen for awhile, since I'll only be a first year) will have the facts changed and/or will be a compilation of several cases.