Considering becoming a vet

[mrose_s]

So i've gone full circle, to being mad on animals and wanting to be a vet, to thinking I'm probably not smart enough, wanting to be a paleontoligist, not wanting to travel, wanting to be a pilot, a groomer, vet nurse, zoo keeper and now I'm thinking, why the hell shoudln't I be a vet?

Thing is, I didn't finish school, I'm getting close to 18 (next march) and the school year is almost over. Now I was repeating grade 11 but I just can't stand the school system. So I really can't go back now as I am not being an 18 yo in grade 11 when everyone else is 16.
I have to ring TAFE on Monday, they are a tertiary type thing, like uni only simpler things, they run courses for different things like becoming a chef etc. And I was considering goign back and doing my yr 11/12 through them, but I need a Tertiary Entrance Rank off 99/100 to even be considered for uni.

I do well at biology but maths is not a strong point so I will need tutoring, plus to get into the TAFE course I need to pass well year 10 maths and english. Year 10 I let my maths slip but my english was spot on.
I also imagine I will need chemistry and physics. In grade 10 I did a "prep" type course for 6 months, which was basiclaly a crash course on chem, physics and biol. I did very well at biol and so continued with that though physicis involves a lot of maths and although it wasn't overly hard I didn't love it and chemistry moved to fast for me so I didn't continue with that.

Now I'm thinking I'll take next year off aswell, save some money, get my license etc then be able to make up my mind whether I go do TAFE the year after. My other reaosn for that is I'm sh!t scared I won't have the motivation I need to do relaly well. It's an $800 course so I can't afford to keep repeating it.

I've been thinking about it for the last few months but in the last few days it's really come to the forefront of my mind. It would procide me with everything I've always wanted, I could work with animals and be able to pay for the things I want in life, all that is is a decent amount of land.
I'm terrified I've screwed up too much already, I'm terrified that if I go for this I'll fail miserably and drop out again, I've already done that twice and by now I feel like a complete failure. I was always the "intellectual" in my family and I can't even force my way through grade 11 let alone go to uni.

I'm scared I just will never have the motivation to do this, which I know is stupid because my level of motivation is my decision and I'm scared of myself in that way.
I can't get it out of my head, what the hell do I do.

 

[Debi]

you can do anything you set your mind to doing, never feel like a failure. sometimes it takes a person a little longer to find their true goal in life. just don't put alot of pressure on yourself. good luck!!! obviously I have no real words to help, just lots of positive thoughts that things work out well for you.

 

[GlassOnion]

Go for it. Just keep reminding yourself that you're paying $800 and need to do well.


Think of the time now as an investment to the amount of time you'll have off/things you'll be able to do in the future.



As for the academic side: I'm doing the undergraduate work for veterinary school at the moment and there's really not a whole lot of math in it. Granted American and Australlian curriculum are different, I'm sure, but still, the only math and physics were the basic core classes that everyone has to take.

There's a lot of chemistry, obviously, and biology but the two go hand in hand later on so it's not like you're learning two subjects, just one that ties in with itself, if that makes sense.

Like currently I'm taking Genetics, Microbiology, and Biochemistry. The Genetics ties in with the biochemistry and the biochem ties in with genetics while the biochem ties in with both in regards to the molecular functions of things.


It's not hard, you just got to work for it. And if it's something you truly want to do then that won't be a problem.

I hated the first year and a half of college when I was doing all my core classes (calculus, physics, government, etc) but now I'm a Junior and my schedule is basically all science. Love it.

If you got questions, I'd be glad to answer them.

 

[BostonBanker]

I would highly suggest having some long talks with vets before you really make a decision. I do believe that if you want it badly enough, you will be able to make it happen.

I did all the undergraduate pre-vet stuff - I could apply to vet school now if I wanted. The truth is, I knew by my second year that I didn't want to do it. I talked to a lot of vets, about financial and time issues associated with the job, both small and large animal. I'm very happy with my decision not to go on to vet school. A good friend of mine (same age) is now one of my horse's vets, and I wouldn't trade my job for hers any day.

Do your research, and if this is what you want, go ahead and do it. You'll never really know if you can until you try.

 

[mrose_s]

Thanks, I looked through the University of QLD handbook last night, I ned an OP (overall positoin) of 2 and a rank of 98, but ot everyone with these scores got in. So to guarentee I def. have a chance I need an OP 1 and rank of 99. Thats bloody huge, I've never known anyone that got over 94.

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

If you set your mind to it, you can do it!
Watch the movie Patch Adams if you get a chance. He went to college being around 40ish, and getting out of a mental ward. Pretty good movie about having a dream and seeing it thru.

I wish you all the luck. Now, will I get free medical advice when you do become a DVM?!

 

[mrose_s]

lol. but also menas I'll probably be living at home till I'm 25 which I didn't plan on, won't complain if we end up with some land though and I can get a horse lol.
If I do end up doing it, will you guys egg me on to keep going when I post that I've lost motivation, I think I will need help. But i can always use this year to catch up on some extra work.

 

[Lilavati]

Egg. Egg.

Really, you can do it. Frankly, the most important thing is to develop time-management and study skills. You have to make yourself study, and you have to manage your time so you can study AND do other things you love, or you'll burn out. And you have to pay attention in class of course! If you go somewhere that lets you bring laptops to class . . . DON'T! Take notes the old fashioned way . . . you'll learn more. (I figured that one out in law school).

But in my experience, its not brains that holds people up . . . its a combination of will and knowing how to learn. You may find things don't go the way you planned . . .but it you want it enough, you'll take the alternatives . . GED, community college to show academic ability, etc. Go for it! You only have one life, and being a vet is what you want to do with it, then DO IT.

 

[mrose_s]

The main thing I'm worried about is that I've already messed up my schooling to much. I have to ring TAFE on Monday and double check that doing their course won't hinder my uni chances in anyway, other wise I dunno... suck it up and go back to school when I was on the verge of getting that "serious talk" (ie - will you either work harder or get out your making our school look bad) with the head of department. I know its not an excuse but everything fell apart after I lost Panda, I was keeping on top of my work then just stopped trying after that.

okay... any tips for time management? I';m good at writing lists but no good at stickign to them

 

[Lilavati]

Well, there's a certain ammount of self control involved. Also, you lists need to be realistic. Make a master list, but then go day by day. And break up the work with something else. Also, keep in mind your brain is not designed to study more than an hour (2 horus at most) at a stretch. After that, you need to do something else, because you won't be able to learn anything and retain it. When I was studying for the bar, my schedule looked like this

Breakfast

Torts (1 hour)

Read for pleasure (1 hour)

Contracts (1 hour)

Walk in the park (45 minutes)

Lunch

Criminal Law (1 hour)

Watch movie

Constituional Law (1 hour)

Do some real life errands (2 hours)

Civil Procedure (1 hour)

Snack and read for pleasure

State specific law (1 hour)

You get the idea . . . and that was reallly intensive studying for the biggest exam of my life. If you break up your studying/work you'll find it a lot easier to do, and you'll actually learn more. But you do have to stick to your schedule. You can't say, oh, well, I'll do it later. I'll go the the park, then watch a movie, then go out with my friends . . THEN I'll study . . .you get backlogged, and have to catch up, and that's just discouraging.

 

[mrose_s]

alright, that list looks a lot less daunting then my previous ideas about study.

example
I'll watch tv
chaz
read a book
chaz
etc
etc
etc

Cram hard for a couple of hours before bed then cram before the test.
I think I might need help with chem and maybe physics, atleast while I get a grip on it.

 

[Lilavati]

Yep, its really not that hard. But you need to stick to the schedule. When its time to study, you study, even if you'd rather do something else. But when you've studied your hour or so, then you can do what you want for a bit. Its sort of like making a deal with yourself. I'll study chemistry for an hour, but then I can watch a movie . ..

 

[mrose_s]

alright, I've gotta see when cutoff dates are for next years application, still considering doing TAFE 2009 and having the next year to do the other things I want to do.

 

[TheWonderPuppies]

Im doing undergraduate work for my vet degree and i only had to pass college algebra and one physics class as long as you can do the math in chemistry (you can get tutors for help) then i think you could make it

 

[probe1957]

First, let me say things may be different in AUS than in the US.

From what you have said, I gather you have struggled with HS. College isn't going to be any easier. You have to be realistic. If you aren't an exceptional college student, there is no way you will get into vet school. Only the best of the best go to vet school, at least in the US.

 

[Sada]

First, let me say things may be different in AUS than in the US.

From what you have said, I gather you have struggled with HS. College isn't going to be any easier. You have to be realistic. If you aren't an exceptional college student, there is no way you will get into vet school. Only the best of the best go to vet school, at least in the US.

Agreed.

I went through all the pre-vet undergrad, even took a couple classes that are offered to both undergrand and vet students. Got descent grades, not spectacular but descent. Had a descent GRE score. Had plenty of volunteer work and leadarship experience. Tried 3 times never got in. Main reason, I was average. I didn't do anything spectacular. It is not as easy as people think it is. Be prepared to get rejected when you apply unless you have a 4.0.

 

[SizzleDog]

I have to agree with Sada... you have to be sectacular to get in to vet school, at least here in the States.

Undergrad pre-vet classes are called "weed-out" classes for a reason - they are specifically designed to fail people. I remember chemistry exams that were nothing like the practice exams, covered things that we hadn't even learned yet... all to weed out those of us who weren't brilliant enough to read ahead and learn things on our own.

If you resent formal schooling in any way, I hate to say it... but you probably won't get into vet school. Sada did EVERYTHING right - she got good grades, a good GRE score, plus had a multitude of community and animal involvement... and was still rejected. Three times. The friggin' *president* of our Pre-Vet club didn't even get in - and her grades were just as good as Sada's.

I'd like to wish you luck, but I'd advise to make sure rose colored glasses are not part of your wardrobe - it's extremely difficult to get into vet school, and it involves nearly a decade of relentless, brutal, difficult study.

I started in Pre-Vet, and I couldn't cut it - I'll admit it. I switched majors and decided to keep animals as my hobby, not as my profession.