How I Got Away With Vet School, or The End Of This Book.

 Hello Dear Readers, 

I decided that today I would write a true close to my blog on how to survive island school turned emotional release platform, turned very rarely updated blog about my life. Unfortunately looking back though this grammatical nightmare there is probably very little someone starting vet school at SGU might find helpful, outside of the fact that it is indeed very hard, but most people don't become vets because it is an easy thing to do, no we do it because it is the ONLY thing we can do! 

Okay so allow me to try and set things right on the front of help advise, which I will do though a anecdote on my meany failures, I failed to become a rich Baseball player for the New York Yankees (the then highest payed team in the sport), I failed to care about school as much as I should have (hind sight and all), I failed to win any of the several Tennessee 4-H officer positions I ran for, I failed to hold on to my amazing friends from my high school days, I failed to prep for the ACT which I took 3 times I believe (thank goodness for super-scores), I spent a year at community collage, before spending a year at UTK, where I tanked my GPA and made a lot of D's in very important classes, so I spent another year at community collage retaking several classes I failed to ever get my associate's degree, I went to Austin Peay to finish undergrad, after failing biochem I failed to find any other job to aspire to other then Vet, I failed to hold onto my amazing friends from collage, I failed to get into any state vet schools that I applied for, after being accepted to St. Georges University's spring 2017 class I was on track to fail four classes, I deceled three classes and made a D in the fourth, I moved into the new fall 2017 class I failed to meet and get to know new people, I struggled my way though the rest of vet school but failed to really become a part of the class, along the way I failed to kill or save the Improv comedy club, by the time we got to choose clinical year schools my GPA had started to recover but it was to little to late and I went into my meeting telling them that I just wanted to go some place that had the best food animal program that I could (read whats the lest bad place I can end up), after moving to Stillwater Oklahoma I failed to keep in contact with my vet school family, I also failed to keep good communication with my family, I failed not to fall for my roommate/classmate/beautiful woman, I failed anesthesia, I failed myself more times then I count. But I never fail to keep pushing towards my goal, sometimes the only thing that kept me going was the fact that I hadn't been kicked out yet.

Today at about 12:30pm I was given the title of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, along with all of my classmates including those from the spring 2017 term. the commencement was done online which still hurts because I honestly would have loved for the ceremony to have just been all us students seating in our old VSL class room hanging out and talking like old times before slowly meanding to our seats as all of are amazing professors made there way in to start hooding us before we all left to go hangout and party till we all had to go are separate ways... 

So if you have happened to stumble upon this blog take my advise, vet school is a very individual thing everyone has a different experience, so savor yours and share it with others, Laugh till you cry, Cry till you laugh, cram for a test, study for the rest, sleep in class but don't get caught, hangout with great people, learn, learn how to learn, live, make mistakes, make the grade, whatever grade gets you though, Re...lax..., panic! go see an improv show (it's only 5ec at the door), pray, pray, pray, work out, sleep in a hammock all day, eat whats bad for you. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths and then begin. Do all this and you too can Get Away with Vet School you can trust me on that I'm a doctor. TTFN

Term 4 Or, The Ocean is like a Big River

Hello, Dear Readers
another term started last week for me, and the craziest thing is that I am not super stressed Yet. I am sure that before long I will be back to normal (read extremely high) levels of stress will be back, but for now things are going smooth. I have settled in to my new apartment, I am still getting back into the swing of early morning classes/writing, so this will be a short post.
Now as I sit in my hammock looking out at a inlet of a bay, it reminds me of the porch I would sit on in undergrad only then it was the Cumberland river and barges, now its the Caribbean Sea and sailboats/ships. Its amazing that my mind made a 2,324.62 mi connection (I looked it up) but I am sure that if I asked around almost everyone would have something that reminded them of a simpler time in there life. but then again I might just be a bit odd, but I can't be the only person who sits on their porch and listens to sad bluegrass and folk music but maybe that's just the Tennessee in me...
TTFN
P.S. for all the people who read this in the states it's 80 degrees F as I write this.

 

Cry Out Watch Out, Or Me in Mentor

Hello Dear Readers,
So I had no clue what I was going write about, then I realized that Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, I know not my usual happy post but it is a very impotent topic especially for a field with as high a stress rate as veterinarians. With a higher attempt rate then the general public all over the world, and when a veterinarian attempts Suicide they will probably be successful, since they are trained to kill and use that skill set often. So today I would like to speak out about this problem however I don't have any direct experience, or training SO if You are reading this and are considering Suicide Please visit these sources or call the numbers below...or your local emergency services... or friends or family...  
In the US.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ ,  Call 1-800-273-8255
In AU
https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Call 13 11 14 
In Austria 
http://www.telefonseelsorge.at/ Call 142
In Bangladesh
http://shuni.org/
In Belgium
https://www.zelfmoord1813.be/ Call 1813
In China
http://www.crisis.org.cn/ Call 800-810-1117 landline or 010-8295-1332 for cells
In Czech Republic
http://www.modralinka.cz/ Call 42 060 890 2410
In Denmark
https://www.livslinien.dk/ Call 70 201 201
In Greece
http://suicide-help.gr/ Call 1018
In Hong Kong
https://samaritans.org.hk/?lang=zh-hant  Call 2896 0000
In Ireland
https://www.samaritans.org/  Call 116 123
In Malaysia
https://www.befrienders.org.my/ Call 603-79568145
In Mauritius

www.befriendersmauritius.com Call 800 9393

In Netherlands
https://www.113.nl/ Call 0900-0113
In Singapore
https://www.sos.org.sg/ Call 1800-221-4444
In United Kingdom
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us Call 116 123

Now I just want to say a couple of things to people who might be the recipients of a Cry For Help, firstly if you think it might be cry for help respond Immediately Stop whatever you are doing and Respond it could save a life, second If you think something might be a Cry For Help, no matter how slight the chance or if it's just a nagging thought in the back of your head Respond, do it then, don't wait you might save a life. I would rather let someone know that I care and look paranoid or stupid then to risk not acting when it counts. 
Okay I will leave the rest to the pros, Suffice it to say that if You feel like you can't contact anyone else (really they will be better at it) Email me! GetAwayWithVetSchool@gmail.com I will do my  best to help.

Wow we are far down the page now, but anyway I wanted to answer a question posed to me by my Mentor from Undergrad, She is literally the reason I am at SGU (since I didn't even know about it before), but my mentor asked how it felt to be a mentor myself, you see I recently received a message from a guy that I went to school with thanking me for helping him out when he started back (which means a whole heck of a lot to me). So to answer the question posed to me, It feels good...  and it feels scary at the same time, I don't know that I feel that I have any right to be a mentor I barley feel like I belong in vet school most days, however this is just going to push me to became a better student, and a better mentor to anyone that might decide that I am the kind of person they want to look to for answers, just know that I am still figuring out what I am  doing with my life every day, and that I am still learning every day, but most of all know that I am honored by the trust placed in me. Thanks, stay safe, don't be afraid to ask for help, and I will talk to You again in two weeks TTFN

   

WellnessWeek, Or Quiz quiz go away, Or Smoke roll on by

Hello, dear readers last week was a bit dark so this week i figured I would talk about some good good stuff.
Starting with wellness week a week full of events put on by SAVMA (Student AVMA) which is pretty cool there are loads of different things to do, like free massages, bob rose panting nights, a wellness lunch lecture everyday, I am sure I am missing some events and other wellness stuffs. But the most important one of the events was a collaboration with the Improv Comedy Club, the show we put on was sort of the big week ending event, and as a bones the show went real real well.
In other news I finished up my first round of quiz's which has had it's ups and downs, but at lest I get a bit of a mental stress break for a little bit. Well this was a short one, but before I go I have some interesting news a building in the True Blue industrial park caught fire today as far as I know no one was hurt, but it is wired coincidence considering that a building in my home county's town square just burned down, so just watch out dear readers and remember that fire is great till it's not. TTFN

I found a baby Gecko, Or AVMA site visit.

Hello Dear readers, This last week has been a bit wired, compounding this today was my first quiz which I felt super good about, and then it blind sided me with badly worded question. but that's now behind me I am going to take A extra hour off this afternoon, and then proceed to ace everything else this term.
Okay now that I got that of my chest let's move on to happier subjects like how the other day I found a Baby gecko on the inside of my windowsill (see photos) It was very small and extremely cute. there are a number of lizards on the island which for someone from south central Tennessee is a bit odd to see so meany, oh yes we see snakes, turtles, and the odd skink, but no big lizards or geckos.
In a totally unrelated event, SGU is still trying to get everything set up for the AVMA site visit which could end the schools accreditation (probably won't) but it has lead to RULES being enforced, since for the most part the school likes to put out these rules and never enforce them, It's like a fun game of Simon says but instead of doing what Simon says usually people just smile and node, like that's nice. here are some of the most ignored "Rules" no eating or drinking (expect for water) in the lecture halls, study rooms/halls, on the buses, and the one that makes since in the labs. the problem with this rule is that most clubs hold lunch lectures or meetings where food is available and where do you have these meetings Lecture halls, study areas, and some times in lab, so there would be a double standard if this rule was ever enforced (which it will be when the AVMA comes), next and my favorite rule from the AVMA directly, No animals in class. Since it would be a distraction (fair point) then the professors ask people to bring there dogs for lab which is 1 hour after lecture (not really enough time to go home get your dog, eat lunch, and then be back in time for lab.
anyway I will stop ranting now and go back to studding since I have a quiz on Friday, Have a good week, Do not let one mishap throw your whole week off. TTFN

Henry

Henry

Henry

 

To Quiet, Or Back to the Rock

I am back at school trying to do my best to stay on top of the work load, and get used to the new apartment.
The term is starting off like a big storm, that is to say that things are far to quiet, with our anatomy goats somewhere between Grenada and Jamaica, lab has been delayed for now but we will have to make up for this lost time which will probable be about the same time that the two quizzes a week start.
However, life is not all doom and preparing for doom, the new apartment is very nice other then the internet which is fairly spotty right now, but the hammock-ing life is very good and relaxing. So far I have had one week of classes and I don't have to much to talk about yet but I do have a couple of good pictures so take a look and maybe I will have a more stuff to talk about NEXT week till then close the shutters, go to your hidey hole to make it this storm. TTFN   

Thanksgiving? Or, Halloween?

Well Dear readers it's been a Strange week with Grenadian Thanksgiving on Wednesday and Halloween tomorrow, which meant that all of us students did all are Halloween stuff Saturday and Sunday, so bring on the Christmas music. Because for most of us students go home in December, but hey can't think about that now since we are about 4-5 weeks out from finals, and that means that quizzes pick back up, assignments are going to be do soon. Which is why there was so much going on this last weekend, I had things going on everyday from Friday to Sunday, Island school life my not be a super chill relaxing why to go though vet school but we do actually try to have fun when we think we can get away with it which is to say very rarely unless it is something quick like watching some youtube, or playing a video game for A (1) hour. It's these little things that keep us sane and motivated, then you have these crazy weekends where you almost forget you are in school (almost), true it is probable slightly detrimental to our study's, health, and sleep, but hey they did tell us that we would be maladjusted to the real world when we started, we all know how boring that research must have been so for all of us here we try to keep everything at status quo.
Till next week Happy Halloween, and Late/Early Thanksgiving, TTFN

Living on a Prayer Or Is Grenada the most saportive island? Or Litting them Down

So I still have two midterm test results to get (but I honestly don't have a good feeling about them) so I wanted to get this one out before I ether fail-out (I write only half lite heartily), or pass/get a high enough score that they don't kick my out right away and I have to study even harder. I am so incredibly thankful of all the support that everyone has given to me, all the prayers, and well wishes for school, I won't lie and say that all the support doesn't endlessly stress me out with a totally unreal fear of disappointing all of you. I know it's crazy but I am very confident in my insanity at this point in my life, regardless to my sanity or lack their of I know for a fact that I don't deserve Friends and Family as awesome as all of you, Thank you for having my back.
Related to this is the fact that leading up to midterms and during midterms the Locals of Grenada have been super great Bev who is the house keeping for our room has told me that she is parying for us every time I see her which most weeks is twice, multiple complete strangers have come up and told me that they pray for us students everyday, which is very powerful.
Now let's not get all doom and glum here Heck I made it further towards my goals then I thought I would when I got in to vet school so all this is icing on the cake, (and if I didn't screw up these last two midterms to bad I will keep pushing).
so just to rap this up, you are all great, Grenada is great, and vet school is a long never ending nightmare that I wouldn't trade all the dept that I now have for a moment of it.



I would Rather try to catch my Dreams, Chasing them across the earth, oceans, and sky above. Till I can no longer run, and Fail.
Then live life safely, and Never even Try to Run.  TTFN

Irma Be, Or Rock you like a Hurricane!

Welcome Back dear readers to the first real installment of Vet school blog life, since last term. last week does not count since it was so short, so lets jump right in and start with the thing that is on everyone's minds. Hurricane's they are big slow ocean tornadoes that can level a city by storm surge alone, city's inland and bigger then most Caribbean islands. So understand that even though Irma is forecast to miss Grenada by probably 100 miles give or take that we are still all watching it and expecting to get hit by winds, rain, and surge. However we will all be fine and at most minor flooding and property damage on the fair (east) side of the island. I will be praying for everyone who is in the direct path of this very powerfully storm, but this does bring up a very good point of Caribbean Vet school which ever parent ask (Is It Safe?) short answer Maybe, long answer YES/and NO. You see it is a hard question to answer as it is really just as safe as every where else, it's more of a question of what is going to cause you harm, here its hurricane's, rabies infected animals, disease riddled mosquito's, and the parental of the mountain exploding because it is after all a volcano. On the other hand there is no snow and most days stay around the high 80's with a breeze, now if i compare this to the time i spent at UTK which has a vet school, then i can say that i feel just as safe here as there.
So there you have Readers nothing is safe and volcano's are everywhere, till next week try and stay safe out there in this crazy world, TTFN

   

God is Great, Or how I figured out vet school at the last possible moment!

Well Dear readers I did it I passed all my classes,
I really don't have much to talk about, I finally figured out my studding and I might have gone a little crazy as I honestly forgot how to go to sleep daring finals week. But I think that next term I won't go that insane! 
Besides that this blog will be going dark till August so I will see you all then thanks for going on this stress full trip, and till next time stay calm, have fun, and study hard.
TTFN

The End is Apon us, Or Life, the story is still at the begining.

Well dear readers finals start tomorrow and if I don't get at least a B on my physio final I am going to fail the class (not the way anyone wants to start their vet school career) I really don't know how this would effect my standing with the school since I am already deceling this term, but I believe that if with 5 full days of studying for this one test I should be able to pass. If I don't then life will go on I will figure out some other totally awesome life goals out (not that I am planning for failure, In fact I am writing this Sunday night after my study time).
I have a couple hints for anyone who is thinking about vet school but first a real quick programing note: there will not be a post next Monday do to finals, my last post for this term will be on the 15 of May ( if any other news happens there will be quick update). Okay back to the Fun tips for vet school!
1. Don't go to vet school straight out of undergrad or masters program (if you are like me you will decide that this is a once in a life time opportunity and you will go regardless, Be Warned, You are already Burned out and you need a break even just a summer is better then nothing, I know because I have only just recently got things clicking again.)
2. God
3. Going to Vet school out of country is not as bad as you might think, getting student loans is the same as going to school in the states. and going to school in the Caribbean gives you the ability to fly home for the summer (which is nice) even if the flights are kinda crap.
4. Friends are life, and if you don't want to go crazy
5. Friends outside of vet school are also life (for real support systems)
6. Use every available resource even if you don't think you need it
7. Have some fun
8. Never get down on yourself that's when you start giving up
9. sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10. Follow your dreams, ( I honestly never thought that I would get in to vet school and now I am here and even if I fail I will not regret a thing well maybe the 32 grand in loans but hey you win some you lose some life keeps moving on).
TTFN Dear readers till the 15th. and the 16th I get to see my little girl.

Midterm Midterms. Or 101 Given up, and Forgotten Dreams! (also known as how I got where I am)

So midterms start tomorrow, and I am very nerves (my last semester of undergrad stripped a lot of my confidence so coming almost immediately from there to here their was not a good way to build it up again), however instead of talking about how scared I am that I will screw up so bad on the midterms that there is no hope of recovery. which only crosses my mind when I am not 100% looked in studying (so right now), but breaks are impotent too, (Austin Peay is on fall break this week HAVE FUN WHILE YOU CAN) so instead of all that negativity I thought I would talk about everything I have given up to get where I am (in vet school), also all the things I have gained here and leading up to here (here=Vet school), and over all why I wouldn't change a thing (dang-it I gave away the whole thing oh well).
So what triggered this sudden remembrance of wins and losses, in relation to my some what crazy career path. Well when I came to this island I was a Somewhat sponsored racecar driver, which was something I found infinitely cool (I don't think I am some great driver but I enjoy driving and racing cars) Unfortunately do to the fact that I will be missing most of the session back home and my sponsor ramping up the team I decided that it would be in mine and the teams best interest to go are own ways, (this was actually a very hard decision for me to make because I really loved being a part of that team) I will never forget how that experience changed my life, because of Made I was able to meet people who I would have never met otherwise, I learned a lot about the sport of drifting, I stopped peddling what might be the cheapest STR miata in the world and started taking racing and the car build more seriously, (from both a performance and a visual aspect) all while I was able to go out and race with my dad (and sometimes my mom) which was great (not just because I almost always beat him depending on what we are driving) now don't get the wrong idea here I am still going to be racing when ever, where ever, and whatever I can. (I am the lead diver and head mechanic for Team UnderDog Racing, A Father and Son grassroots racing team of my own creation but my dad is still the team owner) Wow I talked a lot about this one thing, lets move on okay.
I have given up on Money to be here, you see vet school is not cheap and vet school on a island is extra not cheap, now I know what you are all saying and yes it is cheaper then going to Auburn. If you want a number think around the $300,000 dollar range in loans alone that does not include interest or taxes, so yes most of my future money is already spent and yes there are ways to lower that or make it go away. However that takes more of something we also giving up which is Time, while most people are out being productive, living life, buying a house, we are stuck in school and yes are job is way better then yours, (for me it is anyway) but still it is a struggle to watch all you old friends leave you not really behind but Just Sorta Off To The Side, which is just as bad but for different reasons. So what have I gained well I have the opportunity to save the life's of countless animals and save the heartache of countless humans, I can use the position I am in to help kids like myself realize their lofty dreams (so who needs stacks of money or Time plus I really want to clone extinct animals and they lost way more time then me). I also have already made so meany people that I feel like I've know for years and I am very comfortable calling my friends (some times that means you get to comfortable and push buttons a little to much and get on each others nerves but we talk it out and make up  eat some food get some sleep and keep on being friends).

You know what I wouldn't do anything differently, every loss, every win, I have ever had adds up to Me, and if I where writing a book (which I can here my old English teachers cringe at the thought) I would struggle to fit all the life, Good times and Bad, wins and losses, and all the ties into it so I think I will leave you with some quotes from some of my role models "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." (C.S. Lewis) 
"And so you touch this limit, something happens and you suddenly can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high." (Ayrton Senna)
“I've read the last page of the Bible, it's all going to turn out all right.” (Billy Graham)
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”(Dr. Seuss, The Lorax)
I will talk to you again next week, Thanks for Reading!