Hello all! Wow it’s been a while – sorry about that! I am now in my third year of studying Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge and still loving every minute of it. Preclinical years (years 1-3) have been tough in terms of the sheer volume of work (a big change from A levels…!) but have been so rewarding. Some of it may have changed since I did it, but I thought it might be interesting to detail some of what I’ve been up to each year…
First year
How exciting it was being taught by people who have the knowledge you want and need to know to be a vet! The cohort size at Cambridge is around 75, so we quickly got to know each other and have made firm friends. In first year at Cambridge we were taught Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology (VAP), Homeostasis (including histology, HOM), Molecules in Medical Science (MIMS), Principles of Animal Management (PAM) and Introduction to the Scientific Basis of Medicine (ISBM). HOM, MIMS and ISBM were shared with the medics which meant we spent time with a bigger cohort studying a slightly different degree, which was refreshing! Despite Cambridge’s marginally unfavourable reputation, the course was more hands on than I expected (we even had a 2 hour practical about grass…!). We had 2 hour dissection thrice a week (VAP), 2 hour practical twice a week (HOM) and a 4 hour practical once a term (MIMS). In first term we also had 4 hour animal handling sessions once a week covering a range of species, which was then tested in second term (PAM). Supervision were given throughout the course for each of these modules and are a great way to consolidate and further knowledge (and an opportunity to handle some more dissection material or preserved specimens!). PAM and ISBM were examined in second term so it was useful to get those out of the way. The third term exams were tough with a multiple choice (sounds easy, really isn’t…), practical paper and essay paper for each of the modules. This means we had 10 exams – which was a lot more than many of my humanities friends had, but each to their own! It was all worth it for May Week when garden parties, May Balls and general frivolity ensued before we all headed off for the summer.
Over the summer I completed 6 weeks of EMS (Extra Mural Studies – an essential part of the course, with 12 weeks needing to be completed by the end of third year (or second year at any other vet school)). These were two equine, two dairy and two kennels/cattery, plus I had already completed two weeks of lambing over Easter (everyone loves lambing!).
Second year
Second year commenced. Much more worldly-wise and confident than than previous year, we resumed our short-termed existence, watching as the new freshers replaced us in their fresh-faced anxiousness. We were old hands now. That being said, second year was even harder than the first. That year, we were taught Neurobiology and Animal Behaviour (NAB), Veterinary Reproductive Biology (VRB), Mechanisms of Drug Action (MODA), Biology of Disease (BOD), Comparative Veterinary Biology (CVB) and preparing for the Veterinary Profession (PfVP). Again, MODA, BOD and half of NAB were shared with the medics. I enjoyed the courses more this year as they were more veterinary focused than previously, but the workload was high (especially for MODA and BOD). PfVP was assessed in second term and turned out to be my last exam sat in an exam hall to date! Yes, COVID happened. Luckily, we had only been scheduled a handful of lectures and revision practical sessions for the summer term and so we didn’t miss out on too much teaching. Any plans for EMS were scuppered (I was meant to go to a lovely sounding pig farm but was dissuaded), and online replacements have been provided (which isn’t really the same as getting to really understand farming from the inside as well as taking 324 selfies with lambs but what can we do…?). We sat CVB and VRB online in June and the rest online in September (finishing two days before my return to Cambridge for third year…). This was a stressful time for everyone, but I passed my exams with little celebration and so moved on (without the thrill of May Week and an extortionately long summer) to this year…
Third year
Intercalation is a compulsory part of the Cambridge vet degree, designed to let you explore the parts of science (or any other subject which takes your fancy!) which you have an interest in, and to also have a year of feeling like you are an actual Cambridge student (Reading. Reading. Reading.). We were given a whole range of options for this year and I felt that zoology lies closest to my interests (which are mainly veterinary related…). I chose to do a dissertation rather than a project, which turned out to be a good idea thanks to COVID which has meant that most projects are being done remotely (mainly data handling which is not my cup of tea…). It has been great (so far) to take some time off from intensive rote learning and be able to read into the parts of my courses that I am interested in (and not read into those bits which I am not…!), plus we get an extra degree from it! The work is definitely lighter, and I’ve found you get out what you put into it. I have missed not seeing friends in lectures, and not doing anything with the vet cohort but I am making time for them outside of my studies.
Alongside all of this I am a keen musician, singing in my chapel choir and operas and playing in various orchestras. This has been my light-relief from the stresses of the degree (although evidently it does occasionally add stresses of its own…) and I really recommend finding something that takes you out of your normal life. This will be ever more important as I journey on through clinical school (can’t wait!) and to my career beyond.
The Future
It is a desperate truth that the veterinary sector has a suicide rate at four times the national average and that, despite widespread public perception, it is not all just cuddling puppies and kittens and swindling owners. We are there at whatever time of night or day that your animal needs us. Yes, we make mistakes – we are only human after all. Everything costs time and money and emotional stress, but that shouldn’t cost a veterinary professional’s life.
We all need to look after each other and to try to help tackle some of these problems, I am currently a member of the Vet Futures committee. This has been set up by the BVA and the RCVS to get a student’s perspective of the current issues within the profession and make steps to rectify them. Topics include mental health, the use of single waste plastics and diversity within the profession. I hope that, by being a part of this committee, that I may, in some small way, help shape the future of the sector I care so much about for the better. We’ve come a long way since James Herriot.
I just wanted to end with a paragraph from The Raptured Spleen, a usually satirical veterinary Facebook page but who wrote something which resonated with me so very deeply. If you want to be a part of this bonkers, caring, awe-inspiring profession, don’t give up your dream. It won’t be easy, but I still believe it will be worth it.
Sophie's Veterinary Interest 