What is there to juggle??

For those of you who don’t know, vet school is difficult. It requires time and effort to keep on top of all the material you are required to learn. A question people ask all the time is “Do you have time for a life outside of vet school???” The answer is “YES”, but it requires good time management and a self knowledge. Here are some tips on how I manage it all.

• Know yourself

This piece of advice may sound weird, so let me explain. You need to know how you react and deal with stress and time management. For example: I accomplish more when I am busy and have more obligations. It sounds counterintuitive, but if I have free time I procrastinate more and get nothing done. For others, if they feel pressured by how much they have to do, they shut down. This is where you have to know yourself and how you are going to react. It may take some trial and error before you get it all figured out, but its an important step to do so.

• Sort out priorities

I can’t think of this one without Ron Weasley popping into my head!! But he is correct!! Decide what the priorities are and what needs to come first. Mine are: School, work, clubs, fun. This isn’t a once and done step either. You need to constantly be evaluating if you are giving the most of your time to what is important. I tend to push studying off as it is less pleasant that writing my blog or rugby, so I am constantly telling myself that if I fail, then I won’t be able to do these things at all.

• Good things in moderation

My first year I wanted to join all the cool clubs and societies and get really involved. While getting involved in great, I soon realised that even for me I couldn’t do it all. I had to choose 1-2 things I wanted to do and focus on those. Jumping into too many things and then realising you have so much on your plate is never a good idea. Choose the things you want to try or get involved in most, and stick with those. Depending on how you handle your time and if you enjoy it, will determine if you continue or try something else next year.

• Do it for you, not for your CV

What do I mean by this??? So many students will volunteer or agree to be presidents, committee members, or representatives of clubs that require time and involvement. They do this because they know it will look really good on their CV (Resume) later down the road when they are job hunting. While this is correct, most jobs will ask you what you did and how you helped to accomplish the things the club was doing. If you signed up, only to find you didn’t have the time to give and it became only a title, then it’s not helping. Not to mention all the other committee members are going to be frustrated with you for not pulling your weight. So make sure if you are going to volunteer, you do so because you are interested and going to be involved.

• Time Management

This one is so important! You need to be able to know where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there, and what you’re supposed to have prepared. This applies to school, work, or clubs. Have a good schedule and follow it. My calendar on my phone has everything on it. If it’s not in my calendar, then it isn’t happening. I have so many things on my mind all the time, that my calendar helps keep me straight. I also use a to do list that helps me know what I need to accomplish that day and that week. This is how I accomplish so much, with my small amount of time. For some I know it really helps to create a daily schedule. Most students do this during our study week, some plan for the whole semester week by week.

These are some of my tips and tricks for making sure I accomplish and work through vet school, while also participating in things outside. For me I need activities that aren’t vet school relegated to help my brain have a break. Being well rounded individuals is just as important (if not more to some) than having good grades.

Here is a list of all the things I am involved with on a regular basis. Be aware, that I am teetering on the line of too many activities, even for me. This is where my first step of knowing yourself is really important.

• Vet School -In itself is difficult and time consuming. Lectures, practicals, as well as study time out side fo school is what this requires

• SAVMA- I’m the treasurer of this club and we meet about once every couple of months and run activities every month at least.

• IVSA- We arrange an exchange with another vet school for a week during semester 2.

• Church- I am really involved in my local church organisations. At least 2 times a week I have an activity or meeting to attend.

• Ambassador- I help with tours and blogging for the vet school from time to time

• DVSU- This is the Dick Vet Student Union. We meet once a month to discuss the needs of the students within the school

• Work- I have a part time job were I work about 12 hours a week. I have had this job since first year, so it is possible to work and attend vet school.

• Rugby- This one has fallen to the bottom of my priority list lately. I am lucky if I make it once a month, where before I was going at least once a week to practice.

• Student Rep-I am a student representative for a few different organisations within the vet school. I promote them and their programs to students as well as help with their social media from time to time.

There are so many choices of things to get involved in at Edinburgh University. (I’m pretty positive other universities are similar). Don’t let yourself get caught up in 100% vet school all the time. It is healthy to take a break now and then. No matter your interest, find time to get involved!