Howdy,
Michelle here, writing from the sunny state of California currently on an EMS placement working with beef cattle and pigs! Animal Body 2 is now complete and I’m excited to apply my knowledge of the immune response to vaccines and proper parasite control during these next couple of weeks on the farm. It’s been one week since finals have passed and I’ve been able to reflect on the stress and chaos of it all. If you can imagine taking a leisurely stroll through the Meadows on a sunny Scottish day, dogs running with friends, kids playing football; then you wouldn’t be envisioning what finals was like for me. Not without struggle did I manage to emerge a stronger student/veterinarian in progress. So the question is how do we deal with this stress and for me personally, lack of confidence during exams? There’s not a one solution fixes all, I think this is an issue that requires constant attention and work toward building esteem.
What to do pre exam?
– Take breaks. Go for a jog, a walk. Go get ice cream. Read something that isn’t vet related. Watch a 20 minute Netflix show (but not too many!)
– Talk to your friends. Don’t isolate yourself if you’re struggling. Ask for help, collaborate, engage.
– Talk to your profs. They’re the ones that gave the lectures! They also usually have helpful advice on how to manage the material.
– Take care of yourself. Pretty self explanatory, but don’t forget to tell yourself that you can do it!
And now that exams are over it’s time to enjoy yourself!
I’m making the most of cattle and pig EMS and am delighted to spend time with my family, friends, and pets! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday and will be rejuvenated and ready to begin another semester with a fresh start.
Until next time, cheers everyone!
– Michelle
