Managing Volunteering and School

[Chloe]

Hey guys!
I'll be starting my first year at Guelph this fall, and I really, really want to volunteer at OVC (especially in small animal surgery, large animal wards, large animal surgery or foal watch!). I know that adjusting to the university work load takes a little while, and I'm wondering if I'll be able to manage my studies AND volunteering. Should I wait until my second year, or maybe my second semester to apply for a volunteer position?

Thanks!

[cparker]

Hey Chloe,
If you have your rabies shot (which is needed to volunteer in the OVC and Foal Watch) and are willing to make a three or four hour committment a week then it is manageable but everyone works differently. The surgery spots are harder to attain and foal watch doesn't start up until the winter semester so if you're keen on volunteering and don't mind doing wards and foal watch you could wait until the winter semester to see how you adjust.

I personally would take the fall semester to adjust to the differences, the work load is heavier and there is alot of adjusting to do. Definitely take advantage of what the university has to offer, they've got SLG (Student Learning Groups) at the library for most of the first year science courses and there are a ton of clubs on campus, some that are bound to have other first year students to help you out. See how you adjust in the fall to the different changes and see if you can manage the committment =) but its great experience! And the Foal Watch program is definitely a good one.

If you don't have your rabies shot you'll need to get that organized before you can volunteer. Its a series of 3 shots and I would call ahead to your doctor or the ones on campus to see if they have any available (I'm not sure if the shortage is still there). The shots are spread out over a period of time and you need the last and final shot to be completed before you can start volunteering. Also keep in mind that the Central Animal Facility has dog walking and small animal socialization which is a smaller time commitment but will still give you your animal fix. I know coming from a fairly animal oriented home myself I definitely had dog/cat/horse withdrawl in first year.

[FVC]

I definitely agree about taking some time to adjust to it. I know I found it a big change going into university.

Also from what I can remember, I'm pretty sure they recently changed it so that for volunteering first years have to wait until the winter semester before they can get in anyway, you might want to double check that though.

[Chloe]

Thank you for replying, that was very useful! I'm going to wait until 2nd semester and I'll be sure to have all of my shots.