With clinics closer than ever, the focus for our classes seems to be switching from packing a million little facts into our heads to actually being able to apply everything we have learned to clinical situations. As a with anything in life, it doesn’t matter how smart you are or how much you know. If you can’t process the information and apply it appropriately then you won’t be successful. As such, this semester we have an entire class related to it.
For each class, a case-based problem set is assigned. We prepare our answers ahead of time and then come to class prepared to discuss. Whether it’s a down goat with neurological issues or a pig with diarrhea, the cases are very interesting and represent common things that we might see when out in practice.
For me, it is a much-needed refresher. While the problems are challenging, they encompass just about everything I have learned in veterinary school. I’m looking up stuff from classes I took ages ago and finally it feels like things are starting to come together.
During these classes, the teacher doesn’t stand and lecture to us. Instead, everyone sits facing one another and we take turns going around the room and giving input on the case and the questions being asked. As you can imagine, it has led to some funny but productive moments when the teacher calls people out on one of their responses. So far I’ve done well but everyone’s thoughts and viewpoints have been very helpful to me. It’s nice to see things from different viewpoints and sort of opens up my own way of thinking.
Upon starting veterinary school, it’s hard to imagine how quickly you will turn into a doctor but currently, the sense of reality is really starting to hit me. In a little over a year, I will be a doctor and all the hard work will be worth it.