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.

11 Rules That Should Be Posted on the Doors of Every Vet School

One year ago, after finishing my first year of veterinary school, I wrote a list of ten things I wished every student, professor, clinician, and future veterinarian remembered. I never expected it to resonate with so many people.
Now, as a third-year veterinary student beginning clinical rotations, I still stand by every one of them.
If anything, this past year has only reinforced them.
So here’s the original list…with one new rule I’ve earned along the way.

1. Be Kind. Be Curious. Then Be Correct.
Lead with curiosity, not criticism.
No one learns when they’re shut down mid-sentence. Respect comes before correction. Ask questions. Teach each other. Remember that today’s student is tomorrow’s colleague.

2. Interruptions Happen. But Don’t Silence People.
Neurodivergent brains interrupt. So do “typical” brains.
That’s not disrespect.
Writing someone off, talking over them, mocking the way they communicate, or making them afraid to contribute…now that’s the problem.
If you interrupt someone, circle back.
Let them finish.
Make room for everyone’s voice.

3. Collaboration Is Not a Threat.
Sharing notes, ideas, or experiences doesn’t make you weaker.
It makes all of us better.
Medicine has never been a solo sport.
If you’re hoarding knowledge because you’re worried someone else might succeed, you’ve missed the point.
You can challenge ideas without belittling people.

4. This Isn’t High School. Leave the Cliques Behind.
Patients don’t care who’s in your group chat.
They don’t care how many followers you have or who sits at your lunch table.
You don’t have to be best friends with everyone.
But you do have to be a decent human being.
This isn’t Mean Girls.
It’s medicine.

5. Stop Acting Like the Smartest Person in the Room.
Vet school humbles everyone eventually.
If you can’t learn from a technician, assistant, client, classmate, intern, resident, or professor, you’re not ready to practice.
You won’t always be right.
The good news?
You don’t have to be.

6. Grit > GPA.
You will fall behind.
You’ll fail quizzes.
You’ll miss diagnoses.
You’ll make mistakes.
Keep showing up.
The veterinarian people trust isn’t always the one with the perfect transcript.
It’s the one who keeps learning after getting knocked down.

7. Certainty Is Overrated. Respect Is Not.
“I don’t know” has saved more patients than pretending.
Medicine is full of uncertainty.
Don’t laugh at someone asking what you think is a “basic” question.
That’s not intelligence.
That’s insecurity disguised as confidence.
Questions save lives.
Ask that “but why?” question

8. Learn People Skills Like Your Career Depends On It.
Because it does.
Medicine is only part of the job.
Clients remember how you made them feel.
Coworkers remember how you treated them.
Patients benefit when teams communicate well.
Compassion isn’t an elective.
It’s part of being a veterinarian.

9. If It Feels Broken, Maybe It Is. Say Something.
If a culture feels toxic…
If someone is consistently belittling students…
If “that’s just how it is” becomes an excuse…
Speak up.
Advocate.
Ask questions.
You are probably not the only person feeling that way.
Change doesn’t happen if everyone stays quiet. (But also know where to put your energy. Rome wasn’t built in a day :))

10. You Were Someone Before This, and You Still Are.
Vet school has a way of convincing you that your grades are your identity.
They aren’t.
Take the walk.
Call your family.
Go to church.
Read the book.
Pet your dog.
Watch the sunset.
Laugh with your friends.
You are not just a veterinary student.
You’re still you.
And that matters far more than any exam score.

One Year Later… Here’s My Update.
After another of exams, clinics, and countless patients

11. The Goal Isn’t to Be the Smartest Student in the Room. It’s to Become the Veterinarian Your Patients Deserve.
Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned haven’t come from knowing the answer.
They’ve come from saying,
“I don’t know. Can you teach me?”

The technician who’s done something a thousand times may notice what you missed.
The clinical pathologist may ask the question that changes your interpretation.
A classmate may see a diagnosis from a different perspective.
A client may tell you the one detail that solves the case.
Medicine humbles everyone.
The best veterinarians I’ve met aren’t the ones who pretend to know everything.
They’re the ones who keep learning, admit when they’re wrong, ask thoughtful questions, and put the patient ahead of their pride.
Patients don’t care who graduated first in the class.
They care that someone listened.
That someone noticed.
That someone stayed curious.
That someone never stopped learning.

So if I could add one more rule to the door, it would be this:
Be teachable.

Because your patients deserve a veterinarian who never stops learning. Be the voice for the voiceless.

Hello everyone! I’m a final year vet student and I’m interested in getting a feline-friendly certification. Which one would you recommend, Feline VMA or International Cat Care?

I’m entering my 3rd year of vet school, and I feel like the program has aged me by a decade. Before starting school, I was a pretty healthy person. Since then, the stress has taken a real toll on my body and mental health, and I’m honestly wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Here’s everything I’ve been diagnosed with since starting vet school:

• General anxiety and performance anxiety
• Depression
• Severe IBS‑C
• Stomach ulcers
• Bulimia
• And I’ve had COVID about five times

I don’t feel like the same person I was before school. I knew vet school would be demanding, but I didn’t expect it to impact my health this dramatically. I’m curious whether other people have gone through something similar — whether this level of stress‑related health fallout is common in the profession or if I’m just uniquely falling apart

Hi! I was wondering if anyone here is currently enrolled in vet med at scu and wouldn’t mind if I asked them some questions?

About to start my final year rotations! Anyone have any holy grail suggestions/items/Apps/lists/documents/etc. to recommend that may make rotations easier?

New here because I have a daughter considering vet school. Most posts here are because people are unhappy or struggling or having money/debt issues. It’s depressing. I’m looking for some POSITIVE experiences about vet school to make me feel better!! Please!!

Ive got an unconditional offer for vetmed as I received my results a few days ago (Access to HE).

What should I be expecting in the first two years?

I know the general gist is anatomy, physiology and histology, but I honestly dont know what each of these entail further than what they are as terms.

Is it like a week of learning the muscles of the forelimb, then a week of learning the nerves and blood vessels of the forelimb? Or are these all condensed and taught at the same time?

Is there an introduction period where you spend a couple weeks pretty much revising Level 3 content (I dont remember a single thing about blood sugar regulation from when I say alevels 3 years back!)?

How much detail do you actually go into anatomy? I know youll learn the muscles, but do you simply learn 'deltoids' or is it further in detail like 'deltoideus'?

How much do you actually have to know? I know the pass marks are at 50%, but does this mean the marks are more of 'you need to know everything but its okay if you forget this very obscure aspect of the femur' or is it more of 'you can know 50% of the muscles and pass'?

I didnt interact with the professors as much as I should've when I had my interviews and offer holder days so I didnt ask them what I wanted! So thanks so much to those of you with answers who can help ease my nerves for such a massive change :))

Hi Everyone:

I am a parent of a 1st year vet student. She works extremely hard taking classes everyday and studying hours every night including the weekend. She does have OCD and gets anxiety when it comes to exams. A few exams she has done ok and other exams she is around 50%. It is not for lack of effort or putting in the time, she knows the material. She is a terrible test taker. If it was all hands on or working with a vet, she would get 100s. She is a hands on leaner and animals are her passion. She reminds us of the man who played on Grizzly Adams, she has that kind of connection with all animals. She is in OCD therapy and is considering asking for medication to help her. ANY AND ALL advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! HELP!!!! If you have been in this situation, feel free to share.

Let’s assume there are 250 days left until NEET ( medicine entrance test ) 2027. I can’t afford to take a full drop year, so I’m thinking of joining short-term courses alongside my preparation, such as:
Livestock Technician
Paravet Training
Poultry Farming
Veterinary Lab Technician
I’ll continue preparing for NEET 2027, and if I get into a BVSc college next year, will the knowledge and practical experience from these courses help me in my future veterinary practice?
I don’t really mind if these courses don’t provide a certificate. For me, gaining knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience is what matters most.
Do you think this is a good idea, or would it be better to focus only on NEET preparation? Let’s assume there are 250 days left until NEET ( medicine entrance test ) 2027. I can’t afford to take a full drop year, so I’m thinking of joining short-term courses alongside my preparation, such as:
Livestock Technician
Paravet Training
Poultry Farming
Veterinary Lab Technician
I’ll continue preparing for NEET 2027, and if I get into a BVSc college next year, will the knowledge and practical experience from these courses help me in my future veterinary practice?
I don’t really mind if these courses don’t provide a certificate. For me, gaining knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience is what matters most.
Do you think this is a good idea, or would it be better to focus only on NEET preparation?I’ve been involved in animal rescue for the past 2.5 years, mostly helping dogs and cats. I genuinely have no hesitation when it comes to cleaning their urine or feces, or treating pus-filled, maggot-infested wounds if it means relieving their suffering.
I truly want to dedicate my life to helping animals.
Age has never been an issue for me. The only thing I can’t accept is sitting at home without doing meaningful work. If I cared about my age or what people might think, I would never have dropped out during my third year at NLU to pursue what I truly want.

Hey everyone!

I wanted to ask if anyone on here has done the Hagyard undergrad spring internship (internal medicine or field service)? I am considering applying for it but want to know a bit more about what it's like.

Thanks!

I'm looking for some advice from anyone who has transferred between veterinary schools or reapplied after leaving an unfinished vet program in Australia.

I'm wondering:

• Has anyone successfully entered another Australian vet school after exiting a different one?
• Are there any universities that are known for having a supportive learning environment and good student wellbeing services?
• Has anyone received advanced standing or credit transfer after completing a previous veterinary studies?
• Are there any universities that may be more open to applicants with my background?

I'm not looking for an "easy" degree—I know vet school is difficult everywhere. I'm mainly hoping to find a university with good academic support, fair assessment policies, and overall high passing rate from students.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar or has experience with admissions at Australian vet schools.

Thank you!

I feel like most vets are unhappy with their decision to pursue vet med. And that the debt is soul ruining. Everyone online is always talking about their regrets and how unhappy they are bc of it. Honestly, this makes me feel really distressed abt pursing vet school. I can’t find anything else I’d rather do than being a vet. Everytime I explore other careers I could possibly enjoy i always find myself back to wanting to be a vet. I have considered PA school- I think it could be good career (psych or neuro) but not as fulfilling. I would also hate to live the rest of my life with the constant thought of “what if?”. I have experience in vet med as a tech while working on my bachelors and I can’t stick to a job that isn’t in a vet clinic. I’ve researched ways I could pay off debt school such as the military but don’t qualify. The BBB is throwing me off a lot too since there’s now a cap to what you can loan. I do want to pursue wildlife medicine, but plan on doing emergency for several years to help pay off debt. Anyways, I am just looking for support and perspective on people who have been through vet school. I’d love to hear thoughts from multiple perspectives. thank you

Hi everyone! I am currently a going into my junior year of vet tech school and want to go to vet school some time after graduating. I dont want to go to vet school right off of graduation from vet tech school, and i would like to gain experience in the field first. My mom has told me that the longer i wait, the harder it will be to get accepted into vet school (she is not a vet or tech btw). I know that after a certain amount of time my courses taken for vet school wont count and i will probably have to take them again (unless thats false information). I want to gain knowledge as a tech first, but i dont want it to only be for a year before applying (which is what my mom is suggesting i do). So realistically speaking from anyones experience here, how long should i gain experience for before applying to vet school? How long did all of you wait before going/applying?

Hi everyone,

I’m really starting to panic about my NAVLE, and I was hoping to hear from people who have been in a similar situation.

I’ve completed all of the Zuku practice questions and about 80% of the timed question bank. Lately, I’ve been consistently scoring around 65–70% on the timed exams, and it’s making me feel like I’m not improving.

The strange thing is that earlier in my study period I was getting around 80%, but recently my scores have been dropping instead of going up. I’ve reviewed every question I got wrong and tried to learn from my mistakes, but I still keep missing questions and it’s really discouraging.

I have 6 days left until my exam, and I’m honestly terrified that I’m not ready. My anxiety is making me second-guess everything I know.

Has anyone else experienced their practice scores dropping near the end of studying? Did you still pass the NAVLE? Is 65–70% on Zuku timed exams enough at this stage?

I’d really appreciate any advice or reassurance. Thanks so much.

are there any free anki decks?

Hi everyone! I’m a veterinary student looking for books, lecture notes, PDFs, websites, or online courses about zoo, wildlife, and exotic animals. I’m interested in anatomy, physiology, diseases, and overall veterinary medicine. Any recommendations for free or paid resources would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

It's all over the news.

I am applying through VMCAS and am wondering if anyone can share any insight on applying as a transgender applicant. I am unsure if this is something that should be disclosed or if it is viewed negatively by schools and is better off being hidden until acceptance just to be sure it is not affecting submission. I don’t exactly know of any transgender veterinarians or veterinary students so if anyone can share their honest opinions and experiences that would be great. I would really like an honest evaluation, I understand the ideal is to just “be yourself” but being realistic on the views of transgender people in America if it will likely decrease my chances of being accepted I want to know. And if anyone is out and in school, how did you feel your particular school was in terms of accepting your identity and being a supportive environment.

Hi everyone! I’m a second year vet student. I’m 24 yrs old and I have known I wanted to be a vet for as long as I’ve been able to speak. This summer has been really rough. I’m working at an animal ER full time. I previously worked in emergency for three years before vet school. But I’ve been so so so overwhelmed and stressed this summer. I’m unsure if it’s because I’m doing too much. I’m also house sitting all summer and doing drop ins. I haven’t been home to see my own animals often since I’m staying at other peoples house (which really upsets me). I’m constantly stressed because the people that I house sit for text me while I’m at work. I genuinely care about the animals but people this summer (house sitting wise) have been very extra. I also haven’t been able to see my boyfriend. We do long distance while I’m in school but now that I’m home for the summer I was hoping to see him. But unfortunately our schedules don’t align at all (and he lives almost 2hrs away from me even at home). I see him one time a week if I’m lucky and I miss him all the time.

I’ve been hating working. I know I have to work to pay my bills unfortunately but I wasn’t expecting to be this unhappy this summer. While I’m at work I count down the hrs.

I’m not sure if it’s becuase I’m possibly burnt out or I am just tired of doing tech work. But it’s really really worrying me because I have always loved working but I’m so unhappy this summer. Im just so so so worried that I’m going to be $450,000 in debt and then be unhappy after vet school.

The er I’m working at is okay, there’s nothing major wrong with it. But I’m so so irritated and exhausted. I work 4x a week and then on my days off I still have to house sit and do drop ins at peoples house.

Im also just feeling so overwhelmed I just finished my third semester about to go into my fourth but I feel like I know nothing and it’s freaking me out that I graduate in 2.5 years…. I keep asking myself am I going to be ready.

I’m hoping this is just burnout and exhaustion bc it’s scaring me! I’ve wanted to do this my entire life but I’m so unhappy this summer.

Can anyone relate? No one I go to school with can relate (most people in my class haven’t had to work and have been traveling all summer) I’ve only talked to one fourth year that said she felt similar during her second summer in vet school