As most of you will be aware, unless you're a really dedicated hermit dwelling in caverns of the Earth, it's summer break/vacation for all of us students (from Primary level to Undergraduate students).
This brings along with it a rollercoaster of mental activity which normally starts and peaks with hyperactivity over the coming months of no coursework, homework, exams, lectures etc.
Unfortunately, this new found joy and love of life fades when you realised THERE'S NOTHING TO DO..
...Or at least that's the case for me? Anyone else?
As an upcoming applicant to the VetMed course I do, however, have a few requirements to fulfill this summer- Work experience. This entails becoming a clinic 'bitch' as such, for a few days or weeks in order to fulfil the university's need for you to witness the job 'first hand'.
Now on some levels, this is utter crap. Particularly if you're in your mid-teens (sorry guys) as you're trusted with nothing but a broomstick and dustpan.
The real aim is to develop a 'home-base' if you want to get around this; start off early at a clinic you like and go back year after year- they'll hand you the broom at first, but over time trust will develop and in turn you'll be given a lot more "daring" tasks as such.
So, with the requirement in mind (and my boredom) it's worth writing about upcoming experiences I'm going to be facing, no?
So first up we had a lovely orthopaedic placement near Morecambe (UK), this was pretty damn fantastic, anyone who knows me knows I love the field. I scrubbed up (Best moment..) and witnessed TPLO's, Arthroscopies, a tibial tuberosity transposition as well as all the interesting procedures and tasks that lead up to and follow the slicing and dicing of the little furries.
Despite how perfect the place was for me, I could only scrape my way in for a day (high demand atmosphere, none of it for a student prowling around), but I do hope to return and maybe scrub up once more.
Following this I have reserved spots at a Wild Boar Park, local mixed animal practice and of course some voluntary dog walking with the RSPCA.
Now the Wild Boar park interests me a lot, it's going to be a very new experience to handle/deal with the more "exotic" animals (Yep, gonna get my hands on some Meerkats and Raccoons amongst others..) but I relish it, really. I mean, you've gotta be highly adaptable in this field, after all.
I can't deny that I'm looking forward to returning to the stereotypical mixed animal practice, I'm clearly being bumped up the ranks as they're requesting a stethoscope and farm attire (for call outs) be brought- They, thankfully, make it sound more like I'll be chasing down dogs, cows and small furries for TPR (and other basic stuff ) as opposed to dust bunnies with a dustpan and brush.
So as it's yet to happen, I can't really fan-girl too much about the WBP or local vet practice but I guess that gives me ammo for another blog post or two, no?
Live-blogging my experiences as they happen. All the intense rainfall, dramatic neuterings and passionate raccoon feedings. Yep, it's gonna be a good few weeks really.
Here's hoping someone reads this, other than me..
(God help anyone that actually does read)
The Rambling Student,
DJW.
This brings along with it a rollercoaster of mental activity which normally starts and peaks with hyperactivity over the coming months of no coursework, homework, exams, lectures etc.
Unfortunately, this new found joy and love of life fades when you realised THERE'S NOTHING TO DO..
...Or at least that's the case for me? Anyone else?
As an upcoming applicant to the VetMed course I do, however, have a few requirements to fulfill this summer- Work experience. This entails becoming a clinic 'bitch' as such, for a few days or weeks in order to fulfil the university's need for you to witness the job 'first hand'.
Now on some levels, this is utter crap. Particularly if you're in your mid-teens (sorry guys) as you're trusted with nothing but a broomstick and dustpan.
The real aim is to develop a 'home-base' if you want to get around this; start off early at a clinic you like and go back year after year- they'll hand you the broom at first, but over time trust will develop and in turn you'll be given a lot more "daring" tasks as such.
So, with the requirement in mind (and my boredom) it's worth writing about upcoming experiences I'm going to be facing, no?
So first up we had a lovely orthopaedic placement near Morecambe (UK), this was pretty damn fantastic, anyone who knows me knows I love the field. I scrubbed up (Best moment..) and witnessed TPLO's, Arthroscopies, a tibial tuberosity transposition as well as all the interesting procedures and tasks that lead up to and follow the slicing and dicing of the little furries.
Despite how perfect the place was for me, I could only scrape my way in for a day (high demand atmosphere, none of it for a student prowling around), but I do hope to return and maybe scrub up once more.
Following this I have reserved spots at a Wild Boar Park, local mixed animal practice and of course some voluntary dog walking with the RSPCA.
Now the Wild Boar park interests me a lot, it's going to be a very new experience to handle/deal with the more "exotic" animals (Yep, gonna get my hands on some Meerkats and Raccoons amongst others..) but I relish it, really. I mean, you've gotta be highly adaptable in this field, after all.
I can't deny that I'm looking forward to returning to the stereotypical mixed animal practice, I'm clearly being bumped up the ranks as they're requesting a stethoscope and farm attire (for call outs) be brought- They, thankfully, make it sound more like I'll be chasing down dogs, cows and small furries for TPR (and other basic stuff ) as opposed to dust bunnies with a dustpan and brush.
So as it's yet to happen, I can't really fan-girl too much about the WBP or local vet practice but I guess that gives me ammo for another blog post or two, no?
Live-blogging my experiences as they happen. All the intense rainfall, dramatic neuterings and passionate raccoon feedings. Yep, it's gonna be a good few weeks really.
Here's hoping someone reads this, other than me..
(God help anyone that actually does read)
The Rambling Student,
DJW.
