Almost There...

I am about to make the ultimate nerd move here.

I'm about to compare my life to Star Wars.  Namely, I am going to compare how my schooling these last few months compares almost painfully well to the Death Star battle in Star Wars (Episode 4).

A few months back (October-December), I was in what should have been my last quarter of school, and it was a hum-dinger.  I was taking what is easily the hardest class I have taken at this school: The VTNE Review.  The VTNE is the Veterinary Technican National Exam, and when I graduate, I will be eligible to take the test.  The VTNE Review class is designed to get you ready to take the VTNE.  It does this in a pretty punishing way: to pass the VTNE and get certified, you must get at least 70%.  As such, the review class is made up of five 50 question "mock exams" that you got 3 attempts at (a different test on the same subject each time) and one 200 question "final", and you have to pass all of these tests with at least 70% to pass the class, and therefore graduate.  

At the same time, I was also doing my externship/internship.  Basically, I had to work as a vet tech at a clinic for 270 hours over a 10 week period.  I was lucky enough to do mine a the Kaysville Veterinary Clinic, under the tutalage of Dr. Neil Moss and his techs.  If any lives in the Kaysville/Layton area and needs a vet, I would heartily recommend Dr. Moss.  He is a nice guy and knows his stuff.

Anyways, back to the Star Wars analogy.

Think back, if you will, to when Red Leader is flying down the trench.  The first wave of fighters is already destroyed, so he and his two wing mates are flying down the trench.  Laser bolts are flying around him, and Darth Vader is closing in behind.  However, he is confident, looking into this targeting computer, and focusing on his target, even as his wing mates are taken down.

It quickly became apparent that this was not going to easy.  Between my externship and my actual job, I was putting in anywhere between 40-55 hour weeks, on top of trying to find time to study for the review class.  The stress was amazing.  The time I wasn't at work or at the clinic was spent dreading the next test.  I managed to pass the first exam on my first try.  That put a bit of wind back in my sail, which was quickly taken out two week later when I failed my first attempt on test #2 by 2 questions.  However, I wasn't too worried, as I still had two more attempts.  A week later, I missed attempt #2 by a single question...a question I seconded guessed myself on and changed to the wrong answer.  The very real possibility of not passing the class loomed ahead of me, increasing the already considerable stress load.

With how stressed and tired I was, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it was around then that I caught the stomach flu...twice...in back-to-back weeks, forcing me to miss class, work, and my externship.

Red Leader chants "Almost there," to himself and his squadron as he nears the exhaust port of the Death Star.  Finally, he's with range, and he triumphantly shouts "It's away!" as he fires at the port.  However, his joy turns to disappointment as he misses.  "Negative, negative," he reports dully, "It just deflected off the surface."  Shortly after, Darth Vader hunts him down and destroys him.

I went into my third attempt at the 2nd mock exam with only the faintest bit of hope.  With the flu and everything else going on, every time I had opened my books to study I had fallen asleep with them still open. My illness had already made me miss the first attempt at the 3rd test, but if I failed this time on the second mock exam, it didn't matter much anyway.  

I missed it by 3 questions.  I failed.  Honestly, at the time, it was almost an relief.  It was one less thing on my plate as my hours at work were going up as the Christmas rush hit full swing.  As it was, I finished the 270 hours of my externship with about a half hour to spare on the last day of week 10.

My externship done, the Christmas rush behind me, all that stood in my way was VTNE review class.  This time, I knew what I was getting into.

Luke Skywalker and his wing mates fly into the trench.  Learning from the mistakes of the others, they barrel down the canyon of metal at full speed, ignoring the incoming fire in the hopes of outrunning the Imperial fighters long enough to make the kill shot on the Death Star.  However, Darth Vader pulls up behind them, and one by one works his way through the rebel fighters.

This second time through the class has been much better.  I was met with a few familiar faces, those whom, like me, had been unable to pass the VTNE review class before.  However, my experience from the previous quarter has served me in good stead.  Counting the mock exam I took tonight, I passed each and every mock exam on my first attempt, albeit by the very skin of my teeth in some cases.

So, all that stands in my way is the 200 question final.  I know at least one student in the past has made it all the way through the class only to score less than 70% on the final.  However, I got a week to study, so I'm pretty sure I will be ready for it.

Luke closes in on his target, and the destruction of the Death Star.  However, Darth Vader zooms in behind him, ready to blast him.  All that stands between victory and defeat is one last shot.

Almost there...

Okay, all that was probably a bit melodramatic, but it's past midnight.  Whadd'ya want from me :)?