My first year of vet school was such a whirlwind! It was honestly one of the hardest years of my life. I moved away from family and friends to a state where I knew no one. I underwent a surgery over my winter break, and juggled finding new medical care, flying home for specialist appointments, home nurse visits and physical therapy on top of transitioning into veterinary school. Because of how disabled and ill I was my first year of veterinary school, it was really hard for me to connect with my classmates and get to know them. My whole identity was being the sick girl. My mental health was at one of its lowest points, and I get like I just didn’t fit in the veterinary medicine world. I had a toxic mindset and it took a lot to claw my way out of the hole I was in.
𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙮, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣!
As hard as my first year of vet school was, I am glad I went through it. I’ve grown so much as a person, friend, daughter, and partner. I’ve developed my communication skills and have found ways to cope and talk myself out of my social anxieties. I acknowledged and worked to eliminate (or at least minimize) the toxic traits I once carried into my relationships. Honestly, I’m really proud of the growth and personal development I’ve experienced since starting vet school and it makes me SO excited to start over with a new vet school class. I have the opportunity to form new, healthy friendships with my classmates and have them get to know me as so much more than the disabled, chronically ill girl in the class.
Change is uncomfortable, but sometimes it’s the best thing for you.
How have you changed since your first year of veterinary school??