Welcome to Vet School! Navigating Year One

October 7, 2026

Starting your first year of veterinary school is an incredible milestone, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges like mastering complex coursework, navigating imposter syndrome, and planning for your future career.

Recently, we hosted an exclusive ‘Welcome to Vet School’ Q&A webinar tailored specifically for first-year veterinary students. Our expert panel featured three Vetcor doctors who shared their personal journeys, study strategies, and real-world advice.

Dr. Shelby Sullivan (Tufts University, 2023)
Dr. Sarah Hirsch (Ross University, 2012)
Dr. Jessie Nelson (Auburn University, 2012)

If you missed the live session, we rounded up the top questions, highlights, and actionable takeaways from the discussion.

Q: How do I effectively manage my time and stay on top of studying in my first year?

A: Managing the intense academic workload of veterinary school requires establishing realistic boundaries and finding study techniques tailored to your learning style. In addition to the advice below, the panel also suggested leveraging tactile methods, such as rewriting notes, using color-coded systems, talking out concepts, or using anatomy dissection guides as coloring books.

Set Strict Boundaries: Balancing hard work with rest is crucial. Dr. Sullivan recommended focusing Monday through Friday while intentionally taking breaks on Saturday and Sunday morning before resetting for the week.
Prioritize Organization and Brain Rest: Dr. Hirsch emphasized the importance of organizing your time around specific topics and giving your brain opportunities to rest and process information.
Active Learning and Repetition: Dr. Nelson highlighted using short 30-to-45-minute study intervals followed by quick breaks.

Q: How do I handle imposter syndrome?

A: It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed or doubt your place in veterinary school, but our panelists reminded students that every single peer experiences these moments. Dr. Sullivan said it best, “You got into the school, you were put here for a reason, you've worked hard to get here. You deserve it."

Acknowledge Your Achievements: Remember how competitive vet school admissions are. Gaining acceptance proves you have earned your place.
Track Small Wins: Reflecting objectively on your successes (passing an exam, mastering a surgical technique, helping a patient) helps build confidence over time.
Connect with Classmates: Sharing experiences with peers and upperclassmen helps normalize these feelings, reminding you that you are not alone.

Q: What experiences outside of the classroom best prepare you for a veterinary career?

A: While academic knowledge is essential, non-academic skills and hands-on experiences are equally critical for long-term success.

Communication and Soft Skills: Dr. Hirsch pointed out that soft skills and effective communication are often underestimated in vet school. Learning how to express empathy, navigate financial constraints, and resolve conflicts with clients is vital.
Working as Support Staff: Dr. Sullivan noted that working as a veterinary technician or receptionist during breaks provided an invaluable perspective. It helped her appreciate support staff roles and refined her client communication skills.
Finding a Mental Reset: Dr. Nelson stressed the importance of maintaining hobbies outside of school to prevent burnout and build healthy lifelong recovery habits.

Q: Any tips for memorizing muscles and all the intricate details?

Gross anatomy can be overwhelming, but our doctors shared a few creative ways to make the information stick.

As mentioned above, use your dissection guide as a coloring book by making color-coded, limb-by-limb drawings to map out muscle groups and body systems.
Use your own pets at home as your study partners. Performing physical exams, feeling muscle structures, and practicing restraint or bandaging on a willing pet helps connect textbook theory to physical touch.
Spend time drawing and reviewing, followed by dedicated hours in the lab with the cadavers and a supportive study group.
Remember that memorization is a multi-year process. You'll build on muscle anatomy in physiology, reinforce it during surgery courses, and continually name those structures when performing procedures in clinics.

Q: How do you handle clients with limited financial resources?

A: Managing financial limitations requires empathy, flexibility, and communication.

Spectrum of Care: Dr. Hirsch explained you could focus on finding the most appropriate care plan for that specific patient, client, and situation, while maintaining acceptable medical standards.
Clear, Tiered Options: Dr. Sullivan suggested presenting clear options (e.g., Option A for comprehensive care, Option B for a middle-ground approach, and Option C for essential comfort care) to collaborate with clients on what works best for them.
Open Dialogue: Building trust by listening to client concerns allows you to deliver high-quality care tailored to their situation.

Q: What is the best way to secure externships and summer opportunities?

A: Building early connections gives you a head start on gaining hands-on clinical experience. Students typically begin reaching out for externships and summer positions three to four months in advance. Connect with school administrators, student clubs, and Vetcor University recruiters to explore options.

Jumpstart Your Journey with Vetcor

Your first year of veterinary school is the foundation for a rewarding career. At Vetcor, we are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. From tailored summer job opportunities and hands-on externships designed for first-year students to long-term career mentorship and post-graduation mentorship programs, we provide the resources you need to build confidence and succeed.

Ready to take the next step in your veterinary journey? Explore student opportunities with Vetcor today and connect with our team to find the right fit for your goals!