Not Yet a Vet…dot net

I am reminded of my days in elementary school when school was commencing after winter break.  I was always excited to see my friends and to talk to my teacher again.  I was always much more comfortable speaking with adults than I was speaking to my peers.  I remember walking in to school and stomping the snow off of my boots before heading to my coat hook to change into my gym shoes.  I was usually one of the first students in the classroom.  In fact, I used to come in to school early to play on the computer when I was in 6th grade.  My teacher had The Incredible Machine 3.0 and I was slightly addicted.  School just felt…right.  I was supposed to be there.

Starting the second semester of my second year of veterinary school brings back some of those same feelings.  No, I’m not going to get to school early to play computer games, but I am still a little excited.  At a time when most of my classmates sound depressed that there are only 5 days of freedom left, I am planning out how many new binders I need to buy so that I’m prepared on the first day of class.  I got a new backpack for Christmas and I’ve already transferred all of my pens/highlighters into the appropriate pockets.  It feels like the right thing to do.  This is where I am supposed to be.

I know this is going to be a tough semester.  We’ve been told that this semester seems to be a “trough” for a lot of students.  The current 3rd years referred to this semester as “the emotional pit of vet school”.  We’ve been encouraged to stick together and not leave anyone behind.  Watch out for each other.  Don’t let anyone disappear.  I know staff from the personal support and wellness center will be in to reiterate those points.  It’s going to be a tough semester…they’re really trying to batten down the hatches before anything happens.  People are worried that something may happen.  It’s more than a little intimidating.

I’m preparing for the absolute worst in the hopes that I am pleasantly surprised when things do not go too poorly.  I’m still excited for new classes, new instructors, new things to learn.  I’ve been feeling an odd shift lately…one that makes me feel like I’m actually on my way to becoming a veterinarian.  I’m learning things and they’re actually staying in my head.  I’m thinking about cases in a totally different way.  I’m learning which questions to ask.  I don’t know what’s come over me, but I like it.

So I say this, on the brink of what is supposedly the most psychologically-challenging semester of my life: I am going to be a veterinarian someday.  So, like the elementary school student I used to be, I’m excited for school to start again.  This is where I am supposed to be.