Zuri Wilson, class of 2028

Zuri Wilson, Class of 2028

For some of you, reading this may be a trip down memory lane, but for me, this is a reflection on the last 12 months. As I ponder how I’d like to spend my last few weeks before going back to school, I can’t help but think about how my first year of veterinary school went.

At the ripe age of 20, I packed my life into a few boxes and moved to Tennessee. Up until that point, I had done just about everything I knew to do to prepare for this new journey. I was scared out of my mind! I remember my first lecture like it was yesterday — sitting there frozen, not knowing if I should write down every word that was spoken. Even with a bachelor’s degree under my belt, everything I thought I knew about being a student was changing before my eyes. Lecture after lecture, I sat there writing until my hand cramped. From that day forward, I prioritized learning how to survive the next four years.

These are the five rules I’ve learned to live by:

1. Strive only to be the best version of myself.
   As easy as it is to compare myself to my classmates, I realized I would never truly be satisfied that way. It’s an unrealistic expectation that only breeds self-doubt.
2. It’s okay to take it step by step.
   Some mornings I woke up completely drained and overwhelmed by the day’s agenda. So I started creating a mental checklist, checking off each individual task — no matter how small. Before I knew it, it would be lunchtime, and then eventually bedtime.
3. Have gratitude for the mistakes.
   As someone with a Type A personality, I tend to focus on the negatives, trying to dodge every flaw or error. This has been one of the hardest mental challenges to overcome. Some days I still have to remind myself: a mistake is only a lesson in disguise.
4. It’s okay to put the iPad down and do something for myself.
   The first few weeks of school, I spent all of my time either in class or studying, depriving myself of time to unwind. I soon realized I couldn’t sprint through this marathon. I started investing time in myself — going to the gym four to five days a week, prioritizing self-care, and finding new hobbies. This change proved to be extremely rewarding; not only did my retention in the classroom improve, but so did my mood.
5. Don’t get so bogged down by the destination that I forget to enjoy the journey.
   I constantly have to remind myself of this during midterms and finals, but I refuse to let a letter grade define me.
   
   

I’ve learned so much about myself this year — not only as a student but as a person. Many have warned me that it only gets harder, but I plan to keep showing up each day. One day, I’ll blink and I’ll be Dr. Wilson.