I'm starting vet tech school in 3 weeks...

[mommyoffive]

...any advise? I'm coming straight out of high school and right into college and i'm kinda nervous honestly. From what i've heard its fast paced and pretty demanding...18 months including general ed, the regular vet classes, and labs plus an externship.

Once I become a RVT, and become financially stable, I want to persue into Veterinary Medicine. I'm going to try for UC Davis (my dream school) The only bad part is that I wont be able to transfer my general ed so i'll have to take that over again.

Animals have become my passion. I know no matter where my life takes me I want to have my own exotics rescue. And I know that when I become a RVT I want to work in an animal shelter vet clinic. I watch animal cops all the time, and I know that it is the job for me!

 

[Alusdra]

Usually people get a RVT to make that their career. You don't need the degree to work in a clinic, usually. Would you go to college after the RVT school or are you saying you want to go to vet school? The vet tech school is very unlikely to meet all if any of the vet school requirements. If you're going to college/ vet school after, you may just want to skip it, or work without going to the RVT school. I'm not 100% on this stuff; maybe there is a RVT or a vet you could talk to for advice? I'm not sure what you want to do.

 

[mommyoffive]

Well i'm going to be be going to school to be a RVT...I'm thinking if I can make through, and after a few years I want to pursue deeper into the veterinary field, then I will try for Davis.

I feel more comfortable having my license as a RVT then just working at a clinic with no license like the people at Banfield do...cause they have no idea what their doing!

 

[envisionary333]

I have a friend who is going to school to be a vet tech, is there anything you would like me to ask her? I might be able to find out some information for you if you need it. Other than that, sorry I can't help more and good luck!

 

[alerz]

I majored with a BS in animal science with a pre-vet concentration so I can help you as well. From my own knowledge, you will most likely need much more than just the tech degree, although the experience will definitely help. A breadth of animal experience is basically just as important as the knowledge, so you're at least one step closer to vet school! Just realize you will probably have to earn several more credits after the tech degree.

 

[I<3MyBabies]

Good luck love!

I wanted to be a vet, but I just couldnt stomach all the math/science courses. Bleck! So now I'm majoring in Music Therapy!

Good luck again!

 

[mommyoffive]

I have a friend who is going to school to be a vet tech, is there anything you would like me to ask her? I might be able to find out some information for you if you need it. Other than that, sorry I can't help more and good luck!

Oh yes thanks...could you ask her how difficult the calculations are for making medications up? I did it before when I had to treat my guinea pigs for mites, but it took me forever to get all the calculations right.

 

[mommyoffive]

I majored with a BS in animal science with a pre-vet concentration so I can help you as well. From my own knowledge, you will most likely need much more than just the tech degree, although the experience will definitely help. A breadth of animal experience is basically just as important as the knowledge, so you're at least one step closer to vet school! Just realize you will probably have to earn several more credits after the tech degree.

See thats what I was told...every little bit counts! I know if I can/want to go to Davis in years to come, i'll probably have to re-do my general ed. How long did it take you to get your BS. For my associates in veterinary technology its going to be an 18 month course.

 

[Alusdra]

Some vet schools have agreements with some colleges to have a 3-4 or 2-4 program. That being, you do 2 or 3 years at the college and then your classes from vet school count towards your degree from college. That's really the bare minimum amount of time you could do, I would say. Look at Davis's website for the vet requirements to see how many credits you need- it's a lot! They might also list on there if there are any schools affiliated with them for the 'fast-track' programs.

You could try to find a place to work where you can get classes for free at a university- like maybe work as a tech at Davis's vet hospital. Places like that tend to hire more more RVT, anyway, as they want someone to do specialty work and know what they are doing. Vet schools are usually associated with undergrad schools (I don't know about Davis) so you could take classes as you work until you fulfill all the requirements, even if they didn't come free as part of your benefits package. That would take a long time, though, but you'd get there eventually.

Ideally a breadth of different types of experience (large, small, wildlife, exotics) is better than just a ton of experience with one kind (especially dog/cat- everyone does dog/cat...) but you need what- like 200-300 hours regardless?

And there's a ton of math involved- and sciences. Calculation doses is a pain and can get confusing, but that's a teensy part of what vets do. You also have to know what to be giving and how and where and why and for how long etc. :headache:

 

[mommyoffive]

Oh dang...I think i'm going to have to prepare myself with starbucks and rockstar nights of studying! lol!

Really I would like to get more into exotics because thats what i've been dealing with for the past 2 years.

 

[alerz]

See thats what I was told...every little bit counts! I know if I can/want to go to Davis in years to come, i'll probably have to re-do my general ed. How long did it take you to get your BS. For my associates in veterinary technology its going to be an 18 month course.

It took me 4 years to get my BS because I went to a conventional school. Depending on how many classes you take for your associates, you will probably have to spend less time for your BS/finishing up requirements later on...I would suggest contacting vet schools now just so you have a general sense of what you will need to do in the future. It will probably put your mind at ease and help you better prepare. Let me know if I can help you with anything else; I have a few friends in vet school who I can ask questions if you'd like.

 

[katiecavyNC]

No specific advice for Vet Tech/Vet Medicine degrees, but I can tell you the most important advice I got when I started college - GO TO CLASS.

Sometimes it's sooooo tempting to skip when you are tired, the class is early, it's a pretty day outside, the prof is boring, whatever... BUT the most important thing you can do is just show up.

I don't know if your school keeps attendance, or makes attendance mandatory, but many colleges don't give a flip if you show up to class or not. Regardless, I guarantee it will reflect on your grades negatively if you don't attend class religiously. I know my university didn't care at all (UNC-CH, go Tarheels!) if you came to class or not but I can assure you the ones with the good grades were the ones who showed up.

I knew so many really good, smart students from my high school who didn't 'get' that and ended up flunking out or being on academic probation just because they took advantage of a little freedom and got distracted from the priority of school.

Good luck to you in all your endeavors! I hope you have a great time and learn a lot!

 

[mommyoffive]

Actually we cant miss more then 10 days out of the whole school year, or we could be kicked out. Its a trade school.

 

[deathnotronic]

My advice (even though I'm an art major) is do your homework as best as you can. Take as many notes as possible. Flash cards (for terms and whatnot) are your best friend. I would opt against pulling all-nighters especially for an exam. They sound good in theory (all that study time!), but the lack of sleep will screw you over come exam day.

Also, ask for help whenever you need it. If I were going into medicine (of any kind) I would always keep in the back of my mind, "someone's life could depend on me knowing this." It sounds depressing, but it's true.

Become friendly with your teachers. I'm not saying suck up, but at least make an effort to get to know them. It'd be a lot easier to talk to a teacher you know rather than one that you don't. They may be able to hook you up with that UC Davis application.

Those are my pretty generic college advice tips, good luck with vet tech school. I could never, ever get the courage to do that. Props to you!

 

[juicyjuicee]

I'm in vet tech school right now, 1st year.
I could answer any questions you have.

 

[mommyoffive]

I'm in vet tech school right now, 1st year.
I could answer any questions you have.

Are you in a trade school, or regular college? When did you guys start your labs? Have you done internships yet? Reading....the major part or the minor part of the course? Oh gosh my brain is boggled...thanks!

 

[juicyjuicee]

Are you in a trade school, or regular college? When did you guys start your labs? Have you done internships yet? Reading....the major part or the minor part of the course? Oh gosh my brain is boggled...thanks!

I'm in regular college. The classes I take are, Animal Anatomy and Physiology, medical math, introduction to vet sci, general chem, and psychology. I have a lab in AA & P and chem. They're 1 day a week. AA&P is 2 hours long and chem is 3 hours long . We started the labs the same time as all the classes.

I will be doing an internship in the summer and I think some people can also do it in december, not in 2 months but following one.

Reading is a major part. My intro to vet sci teacher just goes through the book and makes you highlight everything. You spend a lot of time studying!

Anymore questions?

 

[mommyoffive]

I'm in regular college. The classes I take are, Animal Anatomy and Physiology, medical math, introduction to vet sci, general chem, and psychology. I have a lab in AA & P and chem. They're 1 day a week. AA&P is 2 hours long and chem is 3 hours long . We started the labs the same time as all the classes.

I will be doing an internship in the summer and I think some people can also do it in december, not in 2 months but following one.

Reading is a major part. My intro to vet sci teacher just goes through the book and makes you highlight everything. You spend a lot of time studying!

Anymore questions?

Nope i'm good thanks!

 

[mommyoffive]

So I just want to let ya'll know that I made it through my first week of college. Its harder then I expected but i'm ready for the challenge.

Also they have 2 guinea pigs, 1 rabbit, 1 hamster, 2 rats, and 2 mice and there're all well taken care of (well we (the students) are the ones taking care of them!) So that makes me happy.

And we are the first class were they are including pocket pets into the cicurculium *spelling*

 

[envisionary333]

That's great! Congratulations!