August 2020

How are new grads coping with COVID?

Thinking back to her own time as a new graduate, Jordan Sinclair offers some thoughts and advice to those going through the trauma of finding or starting their first job in the “new normal”.

13 mins
Chasing waterfalls

Never one to take the easy route, vet student Eleanor Goad has ignored the sage advice of TLC and is about to embark on her intercalated degree year, studying wildlife and conservation.

11 mins

July 2020

Grieving as a professional

Eleanor Goad reflects on a black Lab called Zilla, a dog who wove herself into her early veterinary evolution and whose passing hit harder than expected.

9 mins
The ambulatory vet’s home from home: setting up your car

David Charles shares experiences and tips from his first 12 months in the profession to help the class of 2020 keep on motoring – from ensuring adequate storage for equipment medical supplies, to being prepared for vehicle breakdowns.

25 mins
Pros and cons of life with a vet mum

The impacts of coronavirus on veterinary professionals has been well-documented in Vet Times during the past four months, but less the way it has impacted on their children. For 13-year-old JIM GLEED, life in lockdown certainly had its ups and downs – as he explains in this article – after his vet mum was put on furlough and his dad discovered he couldn’t work


19 mins
A nervous generation

While empty rescue shelters may seem a reason to celebrate, Eleanor Goad warns a lack of socialisation for younger animals may prove problematic if not addressed correctly.

13 mins

June 2020

Looking back and forward: making the most of your own transition...

While preparing to change roles himself, David Charles offers a handful of tips designed to make life easier for graduates transitioning from university to working life, or those swapping jobs for the first time.

24 mins
It’s okay to take a day off

Reflecting on the past few months, Eleanor Goad says that if it has taught us anything, it is you shouldn't feel guilty about taking the chance to stop, smell the roses, and enjoy yourself for a little while – as it could help you and your working life in the long term.

9 mins
Practice in practices makes perfect, in practice


EMS is an essential part of veterinary learning, but, as vet student Eleanor Goad points out, coronavirus has led to a lack of this essential source of preclinical and clinical experience for many students.

15 mins
Tips for studying in self isolation

While lockdown has seen many elements of life come to a standstill, UK vet students are still studying and revising. As such, blogger Eleanor Goad offers some tips for optimising the “home learning” experience.

15 mins

May 2020

Staying connected and coping with challenges of new graduate life

The first job in practice can present various challenges and levels of change. But, as David Charles explains, you are not alone in tackling them – so use your networks of family, friends, peers and colleagues; and plan some “great escapes”.

24 mins
Look after each other – including the four-legged ones

Without even knowing it, pets are helping us through some potentially isolating and scary times. Eleanor Goad explains why we need to return that kindness


13 mins

April 2020

What about vets on the front line?

While she loves the profession's normal-world community feel, an exhausted Jordan Sinclair confesses keeping the plates spinning in a relentless COVID-19 veterinary workplace is leaving her resentful, drained, guilty and angry


21 mins
Remaining positive and proactive

While she waits for somebody to switch the world back on again, student Eleanor Goad offers her thoughts on beating the lockdown blues and remaining positive in these exceptional times.

12 mins

March 2020

Always learning

Riddled with guilt for condemning childhood pal Flopsy to a life of loneliness, Eleanor Goad realises that, when it comes to understanding certain pets, we still have a long way to go.

11 mins
What’s the worst that could happen?

Vet student Eleanor Goad argues it’s important to fight the natural instinct that comes with being a vet, and to recognise that just because something can go wrong, doesn’t mean it will.

8 mins

February 2020

No strings on me

Although she hopes to enjoy every minute of life in practice, Eleanor Goad isn‘t scared of cutting the ties and taking her skills in a new direction if aspirations aren‘t fulfilled. 

9 mins
The third year slump

As friends approach completion of their courses and contemplate their next steps, vet student Eleanor Goad shares her thoughts on keeping focus, despite sometimes feeling like a campus pensioner.

9 mins

January 2020

Genuine mixed practice: reality or a student pipe dream?

Recent graduate and mixed practice vet David Charles offers advice for students who are thinking of following the same route into the profession.

17 mins
Who runs the world?

“Although around 70% of vet graduates are female, the number of practising female vets is more like 50%” – Eleanor Goad considers the gender imbalance in the profession and why it may exist.

11 mins