Five things you should know before vet school

When you set off to start a new phase of your life, it often doesn't go quite the way you planned. You may have pictured yourself making straight A's, going to fun parties, or making the most out of learning about your dream career. By the end of your first semester however, you may have changed mind about school, shocked yourself with a C-, or never even seen a party. Here's 5 things students wish I had known before heading to vet school.

You're not special

You worked hard to get into vet school, there's no doubt about that. You might have nailed the VCAT, gotten scholarships to pay your way through undergrad, or even been the first person in your family to go to grad school. As beautiful as your story may be however, it's not unique. Most of the students surrounding you have worked just as hard to get into vet school, and a few of them may even have worked harder.

You don't need to drink to have fun

While the media tends to portray college as one long beer infused frat party, you are likely not going to make it through four years binge drinking through vet school. You can still have fun, meet new people, and enjoy yourself, but you are going to have to limit the amount of fun and schedule it when your schedule is slow.

 Connect with your professor

Simply put, your professor probably doesn't know who you are unless you introduce yourself. Office hours is a good way to help him or her notice you. Make a point of visiting office hours a few days before mid terms and talk about your progress. You'll get a chance to know them better, help them remember you if you ever need a letter of recommendation for an internship or a residency, and it'll make a difference.

Online apartment listings are deceptive, research apartment and housing options

Think your living situation is going to be sweet since you checked them out on a virtual tour? Think again. apartment managers show the cleanest and nicest apartments that are professionally designed for their virtual tours, for obvious reasons. Do your research before you sign a lease so you don't end up living in spider land without knowing what you're getting into.

 It's okay to change your future plans, everyone does

When I was accepted to vet school, I planned to eventually become boarded in equine medicine, however, I am now working as an emergency vet in Canada.

You went to vet school for the purpose of becoming an equine vet, or a zoo vet, or a researcher—maybe you want to do something else instead. You discover that those specialities are not for you. It's okay to change your plan, even if are several semesters in. Vet school is about learning and growing, and your career needs to last you a lifetime. Better to change it now than discover ten years down the road you're miserable.

Vet school is about change, and no matter what you do in these years, you no doubt have a lot of learning and growing you can do. Make the most of it by being aware of what past students have wished they knew before starting.