School!

As Chris wrote earlier, today was the first day of classes. It's strange- this is the first time I can remember not having to fight off the usual "back to school" sluggishness. It feels like we just had a long weekend, and now we're back at it. I'm happy that I don't feel like I've forgotten everything already, but a little nervous that I'm going to feel tired of school sooner than usual.

So, what's up for this semester/year?

• Parasitology
• Bacteriology
• Professional Skills 3
• Clinical Skills 3
• General Pathology
• Anti-Infective Agents
• Clinical Epidemiology
• Swine Core
• Mini-rotations! We start learning our way around the hospital in short 2-hour blocks, in preparation for real rotations 4th year
• Surgery! We'll be performing our first surgeries next semester (spays and neuters on shelter animals, to make them more adoptable)... yikes!

Last year was all about learning the "normal animal", the animal that is perfectly healthy and anatomically normal. This year, we start learning about what happens when things go wrong. They are already emphasizing that this year is the year to "start thinking like a doctor"- how would you conduct that physical exam, how would you take that animal's history, what would pop into your mind as possible causes of that animal's limping/vomiting/drippy eye?

The best quote of the day? "We don't like it when you miss a number of lectures due to a disease that we inflicted upon you." ~Pathology professor, warning us to wear gloves in the necropsy lab

I'm sure this year will bring lots more stories! Wish me luck...