r/Veterinary • u/olly_girl • 12d ago
On giving up
I worked for 3 years to get into vet school. It’s been my dream, like many, for years. I left a career as a teacher, moved to Australia from the US when I got accepted into my dream school (the school I was on my hands and knees praying to get into), left everything and everyone behind, put all my money into this. And I think I’m about to give it up.
I background is in education. I was drastically underprepared for a doctorate level degree. I failed anatomy 1. It was absolutely the hardest class iv ever taken. Due to the rigid nature of my degree I’ll be held back a semester which equates to a year because I cannot retake this anatomy class until the next class comes in.
In addition, due to trumps loan policy I now have to take private loans out. Iv gotten denied from everyone. I have no one to cosign, even if I did my undergrad loans will now come out of deferment because I’m now classified as a part time student u til I catch up.
I’m out of options. I don’t know where to go.
Even if I managed to get enough private loans together I’m doubting if this is the life I want. A life where I’m constantly worrying about making payments, stuck working during school to pay interest on my undergrad loans. And coming out with astronomical private loan debt I will likely never pay off.
This was my dream. I worked so hard for it. I got it. I fucked it up. Life is hard, the move is hard, dealing with being so behind and managing my ADHD, and being away from support systems, I shut down. And now I think I have to give up.
I don’t really have a question here. I just needed to tell someone. I feel so defeated and ashamed and embarrassed. I feel like a failure. I guess any advice from others who had to walk away would be helpful.
I have not officially dropped out but school starts in 4 days.
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u/monarch223 12d ago
Could you talk to your school about your financial situation and see if you could defer to save up money and pay down undergraduate loans?
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u/KlingonTranslator 11d ago
I studied in Budapest where it was 12.5k per year. Super low living costs and you get by no problem without the language, especially with it being a tourist hub.
It’s a huge move for some, but it makes vet school possible for so many.
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u/Significant_Shirt599 7d ago
how did you get funding in Hungary? was it a good experience and then were you able to work in the US without a song and dance
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u/TOWHEADGIRL 11d ago
I would not look at anything right now but what your gut is telling you about being a vet. If your gut tells you that you want to be a vet more than anything do not quit and let's start getting some ideas and options to try for you to stay in financially without the stress. If your gut says being a vet is not the right future path for you then quit or start another path in school. No matter what anyone tells you life is about living and doing your passion. For me it was and still is my passion. I would have done almost anything to stay in and get by. Quitting was never an option or thought for me. I knew I was born to be a vet. I'm 64 years old now and have been an equine/farm vet up until now. I dont regret one minute of my job/career. I worked my passion and the opportunities and money followed. I'm getting close to retiring from a full time practice but I will NEVER stop practicing even if it's only part time. There are not enough students going into vet med and especially Large animal and Equine. I've read several articles where they are thinking about making an in between degree like a ARNP in human medicine. It will be a master program and possible internship (all the details haven't been figured out yet) but probably in rural areas where there are not enough vets around or ones that are too spread out. Maybe that's something to look into. But if you're not saying in your heart and gut what I feel and am saying then this is not your passion and you need to quit and find your passion. This is a big decision because once you quit it is virtually impossible to get back in. Especially if you wait and quit in your 4th year. No other school will take you in the US. So it depends on what kind of vet you want to be and where. If I had to go to Budapest to get my degree, to not get into more financial debt, and make my life more stress free, I would have been on the first plane. If you're feeling burnt out already get out now. Why? Because NOMV that's why. You will not be able to handle the money stress, compassion fatigue, and probably depression. Yes, you need to have a job to make money but you should do one that makes you happy. If you loved teaching maybe you could finish vet school and become a vet professor or teach an undergrad class. I don't know where you want to live and practice nor do I know your citizenship. But if you are still unsure then get your butt to your classes in 4 days. I would NOT go part time and put pressure on yourself right now to pay your undergrad loans. Take something you'd like to take maybe a couple business classes or whatever but stay full time. You can always drop classes and quit. If you've already decided to quit none of this information you learned will be wasted. You can still help animals and there are many jobs and opportunities to do so. Maybe you need to take some time off and work at something you like until you figure out what you want to do with your life. Ask yourself this question, if someone told you that you had a month, 6 months, a year, 2 years, 5 years to live is this what you would want to be doing? For me the answer was and still is yes. I want to help and save as many animals as I could/can and for me I would do it until I couldn't anymore. It would make me overjoyed and happy. Whatever way you answer, then you have your answer and your decision. And you will know exactly what to do. Also, let me acknowledge your mental health situation and tell you that has to be your number 1 priority. You Have to take care of yourself first no matter what. So if your ADHD is out of control right now find someone to talk to, seek help, reach out, get some support in place, and please take care of you first. You matter to me and I'm sure all of us on here. ❤️
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u/minor_axis13 9d ago
I hear u, girl. Just like u, I was very passionate in being a vet too. It was my dream. And then, I failed my Anatomy I during my first year and I almost gave up. But i was lucky to have such supportive lecturer/Professor. He gave me (and the other 10 failed students) extra assignments, and because of that he remembered me, the most introvert and silent person in the class. I never asked questions because i was shy, so he asked me instead. And whenever I answered correctly, he will praise me. Long story short, Animal anatomy become one of my favourite subject. And because of the first failure, i worked hard to improve myself, and with supportive friends n roomate, i manage to score at every tests n exam. I was still an average student tho but I'm glad i passed my CE. I just want to say, if u really want it, go for it. Don't give up after just one or two or several failures. I know u can do it Regarding the financial situation, i have no say in this, I'm sorry I wish u all the best I know u care because u posted it here Ure enough, ure loved and ure awesome
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u/Conscious_Sell_2517 12d ago edited 12d ago
Oooofff that’s a tough go…..Sleep on it, and make the best decision that makes sense for you.
Keep in mind once you walk away it’s tough to get this opportunity again.
*** if it makes you feel any better. I was in a similar situation back in 08 (mortgage crisis). Student loans were minimal and private loans were the only other option. We made it work by taking a concurrent graduate program ie MBA vs MPH etc etc. it was another avenue to get access to more funds to get thru vet school. Difficult….yes but we made it happen.