Week 2 :)

Hello Peeps:

This week I had my first three exams, one in each class.
I had note cards for everything that we had covered, and I studied like mad!  I am very proud to say that I got 100% on every single exam!!  This just cements the idea that all I have to do is apply myself, do the note cards and the studying, and it really will pay off :)

A lot of what we did this week was notes, so I've been spending time making note cards.  We had Animal Care Duty this week as well, and I was told we worked great together and our ACD advisor was "very impressed."  We also practiced injections on stuffed animals yesterday, which was fun!  It was even more fun to find out that later in the quarter, our class will responsible for giving all of the vaccinations for the animals we have each week!

I have three more exams next week (it looks like that will be the norm since this quarter is shorter than the others), so I am off to make more note cards.  If you ever can't find me, start digging through the piles of them that I have! :P

Puss 'n' Boots

Hello Readers :)

These last two days I've realized how much work this quarter is really going to be.  Physiology II, Anatomy, and Pharmacology are going to kick my butt if I don't stay on top of them!  So, yesterday I went out and bought 1100 note cards and two note card carriers.  I plan on making note cards from every lecture the afternoon after class. That way I'll be reviewing the information once already, and will be able to review it more throughout the week!

Today in Anatomy we finished a lecture and then busted out our Cat Cadavers.  Remember me posting about them a little bit my first quarter?  Well this quarter they are all ours.  We got new Cadavers, and each group is assigned one.  When they come, they have the fur and everything on them!  Heather and I named ours Puss n Boots, because once we get done skinning him, he will be "wearing boots."  Oh yes, did I mention we get to skin them?  I've never skinned an animal in my life, and Heather hadn't either, so it was pretty interesting getting started.  We didn't have time to finish skinning out little boy Boots, but we will finish later this week.  We'll have the same Cadaver all quarter, and we will use him to learn all sorts of anatomical parts by dissecting him piece by piece!

That's all I have for today, I've got two exams on Monday so I need to get started finishing my note cards for both of them.  Will write later! :)

Our kitty doesn't look quite like this one ;)

Back to School :)

Hey all, I'm back! :)

Today was my first day back to school after a three week break.  I really enjoy having just a few weeks off because it makes going back to school a little easier.

This quarter I have three classes, all with the same instructor, all in the same classroom, with basically all the same people.  It should be interesting, but I like most of the people, so it should be okay :)

We started off Anatomy today doing some introduction stuff, and in Physiology II we re-took the final from last quarter just to see how much we remembered.  I believe I got about 90% on it...even after not looking at the material for three weeks!  Not bad at all!

Finally, the school has what they call a weekly in-stall-ment, which is basically a newsletter they put in the bathroom stalls every week with reminders, upcoming events, etc.  They also post a "photo of the week," and this week some VT girls and I are featured! The photo was taken during Student Appreciation last quarter.

Tomorrow I only have Pharmacology, and it runs from 8am-10:40am.  I plan on staying every Tuesday and Thursday until at least 11 with some of the girls just reviewing what we learned in our three classes to help for the tests and to get the information down easier.

I will write more later this week!

Finishing Strong, Once Again :)

Hey All -

I am very proud to say that I finished this quarter with A's in all of my classes, continuing my 4.0 GPA :)!!!
I now have three weeks off, and then I head back July 18th for Animal Physiology II, Pharmacology, and Anatomy.  Should be an interesting and very tough quarter...but I plan on keeping up my awesome GPA and my attitude!

Thanks to everyone who reads and follows along with my blog each quarter, and a huge thanks for all the love and support! It keeps me going!!

Peace!

How Do I Say This?

As some of you may know, when I started my career here at Globe, I believed it was going to be paid for through a very generous relative that had passed away.  In the six months since I have started, I have fell in love with the school and the career that I am training for.  I earned A's in all five of my classes last quarter, and am on track to continue that 4.0 GPA this quarter as well.  Just today one of my instructors offered me a job as an assistant to the Veterinary Technology department, and I'm only in my second quarter!

This morning I received news that my entire education would not be paid for.  In fact, only about ten percent of it will be.  With Globe being a private institution, my total debt after I complete my dream education will amount to about $40,000.  I have struggled all day with the thought of dropping out because of financial reasons, but after talking with Alex and my family, I have decided that this IS what I need to be doing, and I WILL find a way to do it.  I will be utilizing student loans, but they will need to be repaid.

I have decided to create an Education Fund for myself.  It's extremely difficult to realize that you need help, but I've come to the conclusion that this may be the only way to help me reach my goals.  I will be applying for scholarships as well, but thought I might enlist in the help of my friends and family.

I can absolutely assure you that every penny put into my Education Fund will go directly to paying off the Student Loans that I am acquiring.  All donations will go to my PayPal account, and then to the loan company.  Whether you choose to donate $1 or $100, I promise you that I will finish out my degree and graduate to a bright new future!  Any donation would be SO MUCH appreciated.

I have placed a "Donate" button on the right sidebar under the "About Me" and "Blog Archive" sections.  You do not need a PayPal account to donate, and you can donate any time as long as it is needed.  Again, any donation will be put directly towards my student loans.  If you would like, share my blog and my fund with your friends.

I want to say thanks in advance for even considering a donation!  As always, I will continue to keep you updated on my career through the Vet Tech Program!!

Winding Down :)

This past week, we collected urine samples using a very highly skilled technique: following a dog around outside until it decides to do its business, and then attempting to catch it with a soup-ladle looking device.  Very.Highly.Skilled.  And I accomplished it on my first try! :P

With the urine, we ran a few tests.  First, we did a gross examination, which means just looking at it for color, clarity, and any debris.  Next, we used the refractometer (refer to previous posts) to measure specific gravity, or concentration of the urine.  Then, we put several drops on a dipstick with several different chemical pads that change color depending on  the test.  Once the pads change colors, you can compare them to the dipstick bottle and it will tell you several qualities of the urine such as pH level, glucose levels, ketones, if there's any blood, and more.  Here's an example:

Finally, we spun the urine down and examined it under the microscope.
We also did some fecal analysis, but I'll spare you the details :)

The quarter is winding down.  I got the rest of my Essential Skills signed off for this quarter, 100% on the first try for all of them :)  Coming up, I have a Final in Veterinary Office Procedures on Friday, and two Finals next Wednesday.  I better get studying!

Will let you know how it goes :)

Small Update

Hey All.
The past couple weeks, we've been working on the Gram Stains, Blood Smears, etc that I explained in the last couple of posts.

Today, I passed all of them on my first attempt for those essential skills :)

We're now in week 10 of 12....meaning I'm almost done with 1/4 of my career here at Globe!
I'm excited to have a few weeks off, and then start a new quarter of learning.

For now, it's time to buckle down and finish out this quarter with hard work and studying for finals!


Will write later :)