A taste of college...

Thinking of college is quite easy, but actually going and seeing where I'm going to be living and studying can be very intimidating. In January, I received my acceptance letter into Penn State University Park and I was the happiest person in the whole world! I couldn't believe I got in and couldn't wait to be on the campus going to classes and meeting new people.

Like most other colleges, Penn State offers an overnight stay to get a feel of the college life. Instead of being put on by the college though, the one I went to was put on by the Pre-Vet Club. The head of the Animal Science major was there and also the head of the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences department. Upon arrival, I checked in and talked to my college host student a little bit about college and what to expect. She is a junior at Penn State and her major is Animal Science which is my intended major. It was very helpful to be with someone that has already been through so much at college and is now applying to Vet schools. I was there Thursday night to Saturday and all day Friday went to classes with my host. Being at this overnight stay made me feel so much better about going to college and made it seem less intimidating. But wait, this was not the end of my college adventure...

On Saturday, the Pre-Vet club was also hosting a Pre-Vet Symposium! It started early that morning and went till 4 in the afternoon. I was able to hear a lecture on Zoonosis by a Penn State Professor and lectures on different case studies and Toxicology by different Veterinarians. They were all very interesting and taught me so much information. We were also able to participate in a lab. The lab I was in was a dissection of a chicken. The only animals that I have ever dissected were rats and fetal pigs that were preserved in formaldehyde, but these chickens were fresh and by that I mean still warm! It was definitely a first for me! But as we started, it wasn't that bad and I learned a lot! I also was able to even remember some of the parts inside from by high school classes. Overall, both of these experiences were great and gave me a new perspective of a college student and as a veterinarian.

This month has been very busy getting ready for college. Not only that but of course 4-H events! State Council's upcoming event is Capitol Days and we hope to see lots and lots of 4-H members there!

Truly,
Liz McAndrew
PA State 4-H Vice President of Operations and Events