There are lots of dates to remember when you make the switch from VM3 to VM4. Of course, there were lots of dates to remember as a VM3, but those were mainly test/quiz dates. Now, we have to think about the national board window (November 14 - December 10), the starting/ending date for each of our clinical rotations, and the date that we will stand up in front of faculty and students to give "grand rounds."
Before I was even really sure I wanted to be a veterinarian, I did some public speaking. The Optimist Oratorical contest was something I did for two or three in my early teenage years. I spoke on prayer in schools one year and the history of flight another, including a tidbit on a "hometown hero," astronaut Nancy Currie, Ph.D. Given a topic, I would put together a somewhat creative five-minute speech. I'd rehearse for days in front of my mirror and any relative, or pet, that would listen.
But, it's been a while since those days when I would proudly hold a little plaque for participation and pose for pictures in the foyer of our home. And now the stakes are much higher. There's no participation plaque for "grand rounds." Nope, there's just a pass or fail on your transcript. It's not something that worries me right now; in fact, I'm kind of excited. And this morning, the reality of the tradition and rite of passage for VM4 students became apparent. We had a meeting to discuss the process, and hand out the bright yellow piece of paper with the master schedule. I will be presenting in September.
Communication is oh-so-very important for veterinarians. While some may believe that this is a profession for those that like animals, and not people, it's really not like that at all. The people, the ones that talk, pay the bills. Being able to speak and relate to people clearly is just as important as being able to examine a patient and put together all of the clinical pieces. Perhaps that is why one of the requirements for admission to veterinary school (at least here) is a communications course.
So, it seems that once again, I'll be looking for a topic, preparing a PowerPoint, and hopefully giving a very informative and fun talk in mid-September. I'll have a faculty mentor to help, and encourage me through the process, in case I get frightened somewhere along the way. But, I believe attitude is everything (with preparation of course); so I'm looking at this now, four months away, with nothing but excitement and positivity. It'll be "grand," for sure. And with any luck, my family will be in the audience. A girl can hope, right??
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