Dissection Reflection 3

During the bird dissection process, there are very specific and strict guidelines that we must follow in order. We had a three week break between dissections due to breaks from school and other things that had to be done in the class. I didn’t think I would have forgotten much about the dissection process. However, when we got back into the lab to do a dissection after the three-week break, I struggled more than I thought I would. I had to ask a few questions to get myself back into the routine. Once I got used to the guidelines again, I was good to go. After everyone got their birds open, we walked around quizzing each other. Our professor and GTA also walked around and asked test worthy questions the remainder of the lab time. Then, today, we timed ourselves taking the breast off. During the lab final, we will have approximately three minutes to get the breast off. Today it took me a little under four minutes to do so. Therefore, next week, reaching the three-minute time limit will be one of my main focuses. After timing ourselves during the breast removal, we quizzed each other again. This time, we helped each other less and were expected to be able to answer more of the questions without help or second-guessing ourselves. At the end of the lab, we went through a summary of all systems and parts of the bird, internal and external. Hearing a brief summary at the end after seeing all of it hands-on helped me so much. I am a little worried about the final, lab and lecture, especially with the time limits that we have. However, after today, I feel as though I am way more prepared than before. Next week when I go into lab to do my last dissection before the final, I will be solely focused on perfecting my overall skills of dissection and identification so that when under pressure, it will be a no-brainer. When I am doing our dissection final, the professor of our class will be standing over me asking me questions the whole time. This, I know, will make things a little harder and more nerve-wracking than just doing the dissection on my own. At the end of this class, I know I will be able to look back and be thankful that I endured all the stress and actually learned a lot. I know that all of the knowledge I’ve gained will help me throughout the rest of my time in school and also in my career one day.