{"id":767,"date":"2024-06-14T16:29:32","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T20:29:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/?p=767"},"modified":"2024-06-14T16:29:36","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T20:29:36","slug":"serenity-byars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/serenity-byars\/","title":{"rendered":"Serenity Byars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>Veterinary student shares her love for animals and passion for science with prospective students as a <a href=\"https:\/\/vetmed.tennessee.edu\/\">UTCVM<\/a> ambassador<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Where are you from, and why did you decide to attend the UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. I decided to attend UTCVM because of all the great opportunities the college had to offer, and I could stay close to home. I am also an alumna of the University of Tennessee and truly fell in love with the family atmosphere I gained from my undergraduate years here.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Why did you choose to pursue Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id767_571962-68 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id767_571962-68 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id767_571962-68 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id767_571962-68 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id767_571962-68 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id767_571962-68 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id767_571962-68 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-left-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column767_a829ba-8f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column767_a829ba-8f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>As a child, I have always had a fascination with animals, no matter the kind. I also loved science and knew I wanted to pursue a career with something in the medical field. I thought about becoming a medical doctor, but I felt that something was missing, and I just did not have a true passion for it. I then looked into the veterinary field and worked my first shift as a vet assistant and knew this was the career for me. I fell in love with caring for animals and wanting to solve the problems that they have but cannot express on their own.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column767_3b031e-f9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column767_3b031e-f9\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"881\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/SerenitywithHorse-881x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Serenity with a horse\" class=\"wp-image-780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/SerenitywithHorse-881x1024.jpeg 881w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/SerenitywithHorse-258x300.jpeg 258w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/SerenitywithHorse-768x893.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/SerenitywithHorse-1321x1536.jpeg 1321w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/SerenitywithHorse-1762x2048.jpeg 1762w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What does a day in the life of a veterinary student look like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being a veterinary student is a real full-time job. I start every morning at 8 a.m. for classes that usually last until noon and have labs in the afternoon. Once I\u2019m done with classes and labs, I go home and usually take a mental break and watch some Netflix. I then cook dinner and eat and after, I begin studying for the night. The next day, I start this routine all over again and I have been loving every bit of it.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What has been your most memorable experience at UTCVM so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My most memorable experience so far has been attending the UTCVM alumni reunion. As an ambassador, I had the opportunity to check people in for the event. I got to talk with so many amazing doctors who graduated from UTCVM and how successful they have become in life. They shared great advice for life and school. I loved hearing their past school experiences and seeing old class photos. They even sang Rocky Top together, which I thought was the highlight of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What is your favorite animal and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My favorite animal is a dog. I know it\u2019s pretty basic, but I have grown up with big and small dogs my entire life. I just love how they each have their own personality from being little and feisty to being big and playful. No other animal has given me the joy that any dog has yet, which is why they will always be my favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"982\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenity1-1-982x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Serenity holding a dog with a wrapped leg\" class=\"wp-image-772\" style=\"width:389px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenity1-1-982x1024.jpeg 982w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenity1-1-288x300.jpeg 288w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenity1-1-768x801.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenity1-1-1473x1536.jpeg 1473w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenity1-1-1963x2048.jpeg 1963w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 982px) 100vw, 982px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-767_70e0a0-37 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-767_70e0a0-37 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-767_70e0a0-37\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Are you involved in any student organizations, if so, what are they and how have they impacted your experience at UT?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am a UTCVM ambassador. I get to help with tours and events within the college and it has been such a great experience for me so far. Getting to know prospective students and alumni has been so fun. I get to hear about all the interesting stories from the alumni and learn about what has changed from their time here. I even love communicating with students and answering any questions they have about the college or veterinary school in general because I want them to be able to achieve their dreams like I am now.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What is your favorite subject to learn about in vet school, and who is a professor who has made a significant impact on your learning experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My favorite subject so far has been immunology. I just loved learning about all the different cells in our immune system and how just the slightest thing can cause such a great reaction affecting the entire body. Cells are the basis of everything and without understanding what they do, nothing in my other classes would make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The professor who has made my learning experience truly great was Dr. Reed, our small animal anatomy professor. He was someone who was unlike other professors in his teaching methods but was always straight to the point and told you everything you needed to know to gain a true understanding of anatomy. He always told his jokes and was so funny to communicate with. It was one of my favorite labs during my first year.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How has your experience in UTCVM prepared you to enter the field?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My experience here has truly been so helpful for my career as a future doctor. From the long days in lectures to the hands-on laboratory experiences, I have tried to absorb everything like a sponge. When I go back to work in a small animal clinic during breaks, I can see a case and remember when we discussed the symptoms in class or lab. It has been amazing to finally start putting all the pieces we learn in class together in real life cases, which is the goal in becoming a great veterinarian.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What advice would you give to a prospective veterinary student?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id767_c30921-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id767_c30921-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id767_c30921-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id767_c30921-92 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id767_c30921-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id767_c30921-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id767_c30921-92 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-left-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column767_0e42ca-b3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>A career in veterinary medicine is a true dedication, especially for the next four years. It has to be something you are truly passionate about, so take the time to consider the pros and the cons. Make sure you have worked in some type of animal clinic so you can see everything veterinary medicine has to offer. I have not regretted any of my experiences so far in veterinary school, and in fact, have loved every bit of it. Just know that there will be long nights and sometimes you might get overwhelmed, but crossing the finish line of accomplishing your dream career will be worth it all.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column767_cf1e39-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column767_cf1e39-db\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"903\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenitysurgery-903x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Serenity assisting a surgery\" class=\"wp-image-782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenitysurgery-903x1024.jpeg 903w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenitysurgery-265x300.jpeg 265w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenitysurgery-768x871.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenitysurgery-1355x1536.jpeg 1355w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2024\/06\/serenitysurgery-1806x2048.jpeg 1806w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 903px) 100vw, 903px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What is one thing you\u2019re excited about for the upcoming\/current school year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am excited to finally put all the fundamentals into practice with true clinical cases. We have learned so much so far, so I love being able to put everything together where a disease can make sense from the beginning to end. I am also taking the spay and neuter elective, and I am so excited to do my first surgery out of countless to come.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What do you like to do outside of school and\/or what is a fun fact about yourself that your fellow students and professors may not know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside of school, I love to binge watch movies, horror movies especially. I also love to go shopping as some retail therapy whenever I\u2019ve had a long week, even it\u2019s just something small like a new notebook. Getting a smoothie or something sweet as a snack while I shop, makes the experience so much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A fun fact about me is that I have a lipoma on my elbow that I\u2019ve had as a kid from falling off the monkey bars at school. It was such an embarrassing experience at the time, but now I can laugh about it and even jiggle it from time to time for fun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Veterinary student shares her love for animals and passion for science with prospective students as a UTCVM ambassador<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":781,"featured_media":779,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_searchwp_excluded":"","wds_primary_category":13,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-herbert-college-of-agriculture","category-student"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/781"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=767"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/767\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}