Wednesday 31st October, 2018

It’s a weird and wonderful thing being a veterinary student. But recently, I find myself more and more putting up a front of to appear organised, super resilient and determined just because I’m a vet student. People praise you because they think you’re juggling lectures, a social life and exercise while still getting enough sleep at night. But in all honesty; I’m so tired.

I know it’s not just me. We’re all “so busy” and “ridiculously far behind” after the first day of week 1, it seems. And yet, everyone pulls it out of the bag for assessments 10 weeks later. So in actual fact, I suppose we were fine all along? These people are no doubt busy, but they’re managing. I keep telling myself that being “behind” is ultimately part of the course and “I’ll catch up eventually like I always do”. And yet, I consider myself lucky if it all comes together in the end.

As I write this, I’m not really sure what I’m trying to explain. I think it’s that, as a community, we maybe don’t give ourselves enough credit for how capable we actually are and not expressing ourselves honestly when we feel restricted by a never-ending stream of things to do.

It feels great when you’re up to date with work and I don’t see why we should feel uncomfortable saying that. Perhaps we think it’s boasting or worry how it might make other people feel. But in truth, we should be praising these people and learning from them! We certainly shouldn’t be making them feel like they’re a weird anomaly who eats lecture notes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Similarly, I would argue it feels just as good and incredibly cathartic when you can reach out to those closest to you and say “I’m not managing” or “Would you be able to help me?”.

At the end of the day, we’re all aiming for the same goal. So if you see a fellow comrade falling, be kind and help pick them back up. And for those of us who feel as if we’re the floor, tap someone on the ankle and ask if they wouldn’t mind offering you a hand. Although you may not think it, the answer will always be “yes” and you’ll feel a lot better once you’re back up and at it.

We should always have each other’s backs – vet school is not a competition.