Today marks the end of what the CVM class of 2019 dubbed "Hell Week." It consisted of three exams, two simulations, four writing assignments, an interview, and, if you were proactive, a pathology assignment/quiz and a nutritional analysis. Now, I am sure that there are plenty of vet schools that have multiple exams in one week, and probably even multiple exams in one day. However, the thing to consider in relation to the program I am in is that we are a quarter system. We ideally fit 16 weeks worth of material into 8, which means we have a LOT of information to handle. It isn't unbearable (most of the time), but it does take a toll on your brain, let alone your emotions. I know I am stressed to the max because I have an eruption of breakouts across my face, and I haven't eaten a decent meal or been to the gym in over a week. I'm honestly surprised I've showered this week. But I made it, give or take a couple embarrassing moments, which I will share with you now.
1. During the anatomy exam, I made the mistake of confusing tears (from lacrimal glands) with cerebrospinal fluid (in the brain). Whoops...
2. By the time I got to the practical, I couldn't remember arteries from nerves. All I was thinking about was the nap I could take when the exam was over.
3. I was typing a post-simulation assignment shortly after the anatomy exam and was very clearly falling asleep and entering strange levels of consciousness. At one point I actually wrote something about underwear. (I think I meant to type something about helping the client to understand, but Lord knows where I was going with that or how I got to underwear...)
4. The afternoon before the exam, I slammed two energy drinks and STILL managed to fall asleep over my notes for a couple hours. The struggle was real, guys.
Note to self: the crash from several b12 tablets chased with alertness beverages is rough.
Although this week was hell, I wouldn't change this experience for anything. I am so blessed to be here, and I never want to take this opportunity for granted. As horribly stressful as this week was, and despite all of my studying, I didn't perform as well as I wanted to. Initially, I was really upset. I felt that I had spent days of my life studying and trying to understand this material, and I couldn't pull off an A. But something one of my professors said this week hit me. He said, "What do you call the person that graduates academically last from veterinary college?"
The answer is Doctor.
We are given this opportunity to become doctors, and only a very small portion of that is based on academics. The skills we need outside of textbooks are just as important to becoming great veterinarians. Fortunately, I think I have that portion of this program under my belt, so I try very hard not to let the lower grades bring me down. As long as I do the very best I can, that is all I can ask for. Some people learn in different ways, and some people take longer to understand things. Just because I can't regurgitate information for an exam doesn't mean that I don't understand the concepts. As hard as it is to have faith in yourself, it is absolutely necessary if we are ever going to survive the next four years.
That being said, it is also important to not let studies overcome your life, because the crash is not fun. Every now and then an all-nighter is warranted. But I make sure to sleep if I need to sleep, and take a break if I need to take a break. My mental health is more important than a perfect score on an exam. Take care of yourself, and you will be able to take better care of others.
Just a friendly reminder.
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