Started my first day as a research assistant today. I’m so exhausted. I went to two farms and learned a lot of practical skills. I aided with treating a calf with hypothermia, disbudded a calf and did rectal palpitations on a cow. Didn’t expect to be stepping in so much shit lol But I’ll have to get used to it. I was so nervous during the disbudding process. My advisor said I did well so I’m just hoping she wasn’t lying. I felt bad for the poor calf but it had to be done. Did end up getting blood all over my coveralls from the calf, idk how my school is gonna clean that because it will stain. I’m going to try my best to get comfortable with using the needle. It just feels so invasive but there’s no other way. I just want to make sure I can do these skills well because I don’t want accidently hurt the animal when it could be prevented. I want the experience to be as smooth going as possible. I’m so happy I actually studied hard for anatomy despite not doing the best, because man this is soooo useful now that I’m applying it.