Five things that’ll have us quaking in our (rubber) boots!
This Halloween will see the usual suspects out in full force: ghouls and goblins around every corner, waiting to inject fright into any victim that may pass. Yet when it comes to scaring vet students, there is no need for fake fangs or costly costumes. If you really want to get us tachycardic — er, get our hearts beating fast — then look no further. Here are five things that will have us jumping out of our skin faster than a shedding snake.
1. Ghosts of subjects past
Oh, you thought you were done with anatomy? You really believed you’d never have to identify the separate components of the rectus abdominis muscle again? Don’t look behind you now, but it’s… Principles of Surgery!
2. Bats
Well, not bats specifically, but what they — and racoons, mosquitos, birds, livestock, etc. — have the potential to spread to humans. Dangerous diseases such as malaria, rabies, swine influenza, and dozens of others can be contracted by humans via animals in a variety of ways. Vets have a responsibility to both human and animal health in minimizing these risks, and it starts here in school. Yikes!
3. Blood smears
While we don’t have an issue with the actual blood itself, all you need to do is remind us that we must evaluate the white and red blood cells of the animals we study. Sure, it doesn’t sound too bad — until you know that depending on the species and state of health, these cells are shaped, coloured, numbered, and even named differently. No pressure.
4. Soul-sucking finals
To be fair, finals are a bit of a horror show for most university students. At OVC — where there are twice the number of exams as there are in undergrad and they span at least three weeks — it’s easy to feel like you’re being cooked alive under the pressure. Throw in our practicals where someone is literally evaluating our every move, and our zombie-like appearance starts to make a lot of sense.
5. Imposter Syndrome
Perhaps the scariest of all, this demon is real and powerful. Imposter syndrome is the feeling of doubting your own accomplishments, and the impending fear that you will be exposed as a fraud. It seems to be very common among vet students and other intensive professional programs. Having experienced its haunting first hand, I would say Imposter Syndrome deserves a specially trained exorcist.
Photo courtesy of Deviant Art via CC0