My first two weeks in vet school - here's how it went

Vet school launched us from a rush of excitement and anxiety during orientation straight into a jam-packed schedule of classes, and I am here for it - but also SUPER exhausted. I've been MIA on here because of this... But, we are so back.

Orientation at UGA's CVM was August 3rd and 4th. I simply cannot believe it has only been a little over two weeks since then, it feels like it has been a lifetime. We have learned more than I could have ever imagined possible to be packed into a couple weeks of classes.

Orientation was stressful because I was nervous about finding my people and getting settled into classes, but, in hindsight, I had nothing to worry about, at least not in the friend making department. The classes, well, let's just say I'm a little less settled in and a little more overwhelmed. However, I do have that stress to thank for the "trauma bonding" that has occurred between me and my classmates. When things get rough, it really brings us all together.

On the classmate's note, I have absolutely loved talking to and getting to know everyone in my class. I legit don't have a bad thing to say about anyone; our class seems to have something good going so far. Everyone is so supportive of each other; I love it!

I was worried going into vet school about making friends and people judging me, as everyone does, but it has gone really well so far. So, if you are going into vet med and are about to start vet school, don't worry - it really will all be okay. And, that's coming from someone who cried and panicked to her partner the two days before orientation started - trust, you'll be just fine.

On another note, the sheer amount of information that is flooded at you in the first few weeks of school is absolutely insane. Think about all the information you learn in an undergrad course in one semester and pile it all into two weeks, that's how much vet school throws at you. It's been an interesting couple of weeks adjusting how I study and spend my evenings after school, but I think I have finally gotten it down - we will see how it works out soon, with our first test this coming Monday.

My study strategy so far has been to come home and make/add all of the information we learned that day to my Quizlet slide deck each night, without exception. I don't let myself study another topic until that is done. This strategy has been helping me a lot because it allows me to submit the information I learned that day to memory one more time, and it has been making recall much faster and easier. It has also been helpful now that I am studying for my first exam because I have all of the information ready for me in one place.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my first couple weeks of vet school. It has already proved to be very challenging, but it is so worth it. And, for the first time, all of the information I am learning in school I am interested in and passionate about, which really helps push me to study more. Knowing every detail I am getting in class is applicable to the field and could one day help me save a pet really keeps me honest in my studying.

OOOO and we got white coated!!!! Such a fun and memorable experience. It made it feel so much more real.