A week of beees!

No not the insects, but the grade B!

Today I got my result for both the physiology and biochemistry credit tests, both of which I got B grades in. I also got a B in the weekly credit test in anatomy, which was on the topic of the urinary system, so the kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra.

In the anatomy lesson this week, we studied the male reproductive system, which means looking at lots of testicles and penises! As well as all the related glands etc. So if anyone asks what I am studying this weekend...

Week 31

I'm 31 weeks into my course, and sometimes I still can't believe that I am actually here and I'm doing this. I'm going to be a vet!!!

The next few weeks are going to be manic, with a trip tomorrow, 3 credit tests next week and 2 the week after. We have 5 days off over Halloween, due to November 1st being a National holiday in Slovakia, for All Saints Day, which many people are using to go home. I have decided to stay here and plan to spent a day or two exploring the forest, as a friend and I found a footpath on Sunday, though a very pretty area. I love exploring, although my friend started to worry when it started to get dark and we had no idea where we were! We were doing a loop, so I knew at some point we had to come out somewhere we recognised! 

And of course there is plenty of studying to do, and notes to prepare ready for the final exams at Christmas, which I hope to do most of before I come home. 

I am watching skyscanner closely, waiting for a flight at a reasonable price (under £35 I hope, but that is probably wishful thinking!) to book to go home on the 20th or 21st of December. Ryanair seem to have stopped the flights from Bratislava to Bristol, which is annoying as that is the route I have taken most. Last year they stopped the Birmingham to Budapest route, meaning there are less and less ways to get home. I wish there was an airport in Mid Wales, with direct flights to Kosice! Its so easy now for people who live near Luton, as the direct flight from Kosice-London Luton begun operating last month.

When not studying, I have been doing some writing and surveys online, as well as entering some competitions. I have recently cashed out nearly £100 from a few sites, and won a £50 Amazon voucher, as well as a couple of books and some face paints. My twitter account it @elljem if anyone would like to follow me and see the competitions I enter.

Blood!

Our last three Physiology practicals lessons were all about blood. We have done several experiments to test and count red blood cells (erythrocytes) and white blood cells (leukocytes). This week we were testing our own blood, as opposed to an animals. One of the tests was to test for blood group. This test involves placing a drop blood into two different antigens, anti-A and anti-B. To get the blood, we had to sterilise our finger, and use a needle to 'stab' it! This gives a few drops of capillary blood to use.
My blood had agglutination in both antigens, meaning my blood group is AB.
We also rested our blood using the Rhesus system, to test for the Rh antigen. This involves placing a drop of blood into a drop of antigen D. I also had agglutination in my sample, meaning I am Rhesus positive, so my blood group is AB+ which is one of the rarest blood groups.
Next week we have a credit test in Physiology, and as it is the day before the weekly anatomy credit tests, I need to get most of my studying done on Saturday.

3 Weeks in

Well 3 weeks have passed already, meaning that in a couple of days I will be 1/4 way through this term!
OR 11.5% through second year
OR 18.6 % through my course
(Yes I love numbers!!!)

This year is more interesting than last year, so although the work is harder, its not so bad as all feels more relevant.  We are spending more time with live animals, and have recently practiced restraining and handling animals, as well as taking blood. My first experience of taking blood from a rabbits ear was nerve-wracking but exciting, and I was pleased to get blood on my first attempt.

As usual there are plenty of tests, with at least 2 a week. So far I have passed two Anatomy Credit Tests, with an A and a C grade. I have also passed two Biochemistry tests, with 90% and 80%.

We have several trips planned for the next few weeks, firstly a trip to the Radiobiology department at the medical university in the city. Then on the 19th we are going on a trip to a show, we havent recieved much information on this yet, but I think it is the Slovak National Rabbit and Pigeon show. We are also going to see the university's pig farm soon.

In Anatomy we are studying Splanchnology at the moment, which is a study of the organs. Firstly the digestive system, from oral cavity to the anus. Today I am studying the intestines and abdominal cavity.

I have started running again, as I used to run a lot in 2011. Getting back to being fit slowly, did a 5km run today in 36minutes, 32 seconds. It was the Kosice Peace Marathon today, which is the oldest marathon in Europe, celebrating its 90th Anniversary. I am thinking of entering to run the marathon next year, although looking at the results, I am likely to be in last position!

Back for second year

I am back in Slovakia, have registered, filled in my student record and have my timetable. I am ready for second year to begin! This term we have Anatomy 2, Biochemistry, Physiology, Animal Husbandry, Public Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Ethics and Radiobiology. I know that there will be weekly credit tests in at  anatomy and biochem, maybe more, so there will be lots of deadlines and plenty of work.

I was happy to see that most our days start at 8.05am this semester, with no 7.15am starts like last year. Monday is the easiest day with only 2 lectures, then the week gets harder, Friday being our longest day, with 2 lectures and 3 practicals from 8.05-16.30.

I applied to be on Deal or No Deal the other day, which involved a 12 page application form, with many questions such as 'Tell us about yourself in 50 words or less' and '5 interesting/funny/unusual facts about you'; enough to give me a headache trying to think of answers! I hope that if I do get invited for an audition, that it is during my holidays from uni. It would be amazing to be on the show, and to have the chance of winning some money.

I met up with a lovely girl who is just starting first year at the airport and travelled back to uni with her. It was nice to have someone to speak to on the journey. We went out for a few hours last night and met more of the new students, it seems like last week when it was me being shown around the town! Still amazing to think that I survived a year here and am now 1/6 or 16.66% vet!

Facebook

Today I woke up bright and early ready to sort things before the electricity went off,  only for it not to go off! So I have been productive (!!) and instead of starting my biochemistry notes, I had a few ideas on how to raise funds, and have started my own Facebook page. I will post more about my ideas when I have some dates and things sorted, and develop the plans further. 

On my Facebook page Student in Slovakia I plan to raise awareness of my journey and run some competitions. If anyone would like to donate a prize in return for advertising or to sponsor me, please contact me at Email. Thank you!

September is here!

Well time flies, and its is September already. Summer has passed very quickly, in a blur of revision and working. In only 5 days I will be flying back to Slovakia to register as a second year student and on the 16th I will be back in lectures. I am excited to go back and eager to get back into studying, which will seem like a rest at first after working all summer!

I flew back to Slovakia a few weeks ago to sit my Histology and Embryology final exam, which was a subject I didn't really like as I struggled to understand, so it drove me mad revising! The sheer volume of knowledge needed was overwhelming until I split it into small chunks and revised one section per day (while working 12+ hours a day). By the time I got to the exam and understood the topics I found it interesting and I was very pleased with my exam grade.

Since my work experience I have worked almost everyday, with my main job being working for a catering company, in a burger van ( hog roast or fish and chips van some days). We travelled around the country working at several events, including the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the Royal Welsh Show, National Eisteddfod and Bournemouth Air Festival which has been hard work, but nice to travel around and see different places.

I have also done some bar work, waitressing, gardening and decorating. Glad I live on a farm where tradesmen are not called unless we are desperate, meaning I can do a lot of DIY and am not afraid to get my hands dirty! I even took our toilet to pieces on a rare day off to work out why the water wasn't running in properly when it was flushed! I have however ruined almost every pair of jeans I own, with paint or superglue on them :( Ordered a couple of pairs for £6.99 online the other day, and hope that they arrive (and fit!) before I go back to uni!

I am behind on my online earnings due to never being at home, so need to catch up on them; my inbox has over 4000 unread emails at present! I did win £14 on a free bingo site the other day :) http://birthdaybingo.co.uk?ref=140 If anyone wants to join, here is my referral link. Its very simple, your bingo card is your date of birth, just register and keep checking the site until your date of birth comes up.

I have 84 biochemistry questions that I would like to start writing the answers out for before I go back to uni and get too busy, as I am hoping to sit the biochemistry final exam before Christmas, so that is my plan for tomorrow, as the electricity company is switching the electric off in my area, so no internet or work to distract me!