A little advice needed

[Kara31191]

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Okay, well lately, I've been working 40 hours a week, 30 hours in school, and then STILL doing HW.

Well, I understand that I have a stress disorder and I am trying to control it. I'm working in this environment where it seems most everything I do is completely wrong... I mean, I really just can't do much of anything with dogs/cats. I'm fine with exotics, but you'd have to drag me into a dog/cat exam room.

I've been literally breaking down and crying lately. My boss has been saying that I'm too "sensitive", and when she says things bluntly, I don't get offended, but I DO get very upset. I don't cry a lot; I've cried once before (a macaw beat me up), but I've cried three times this month. I mean, everyone appreciates the hours I do and all. I think it's the hours and all the things I'm doing. But I just don't know.

Then, the Dr. has been saying I'm sensitive... In a that's-your-biggest-flaw kind of way. Not that it's a horrible flaw, but that I will have a tough time in vet school. I just turned 17 yrs. Isn't this normal? Should I be confident and hardened by now?

What can I do to help this? Do you think I'll simply grow out of it?

I don't know. I was just wondering if there are any sensitive or formerly sensitive people out there.

 

[winglessflight]

one of the vets i work with is like that, where it seems like i am always doing something wrong. after talking to some of my coworkers, i took comfort in knowing that she made other people, even those that had been working there 20 years feel like that (not that its good she can make them feel bad)

one day i was holding growly cat, and she kept on saying "you got it, it could bite, are you ok, are you sure you have it, be careful, etc, etc" then she couldnt hit the vein and had me switch sides, and did the whole thing again until i finally said that she was making me nervous, to which she responded "its all part of the job". i was so mad, especially considering that I had a good grip on the cat and she was making it worse.

sorry for the long story, but anyways, it has gotten a bit better, and i found it helped to ask her specifically how she wanted me to hold them, even if the other vets don't care. i also learned to ignore it a bit, especially because besides that she is a great and caring vet.

my advice to you is to ask the vet for ways you can improve on what you don't feel confident on, and volunteer to go in with the really easy dog and cat exams (aka nice) which will help build your confidence.

another thing that may be contributing is that you are working a LOT of hours, as you know. balancing working that much and school is hard, and can lead to exhaustion. you may find it would be best to cut back on hours a bit if you can afford to. i'm sure you already have more hours than a lot of people, so you don't need to worry about whether cutting back will hurt your chances in vet school. you have to be careful not to burn out.

sorry for the long post, i've definitely felt how you feel now, and it does get better if you take the time to take care of yourself too

Good luck!

 

[Kara31191]

Want to hear the funny/sad part?

I'm not really needing money. The one vet is my boss... and she really is a nice person, but NOTHING is right because she's under enormous stress starting the clinic.

I'm seventeen. I don't know if it's normal to be sensitive?

Thank you!

 

[winglessflight]

i forgot to mention that even after working at a vets for the past five years, i still feel like an idiot a lot, especially when i have to help out with a surgery, since i always manage to forget something since i do it so infrequently. its important to know that you are still young, and that you still have a lot to learn, and the vets know that. i still get mad at myself for making mistakes, but i take it much harder than anyone else at work (one time that vet i mentioned even comforter me after i made a mistake, then told me about how she's made a bunch too and thats unfortunately the best way to learn). more important than being perfect is admitting to and learning from mistakes so that they can be a learning experience.

 

[pressmom]

Okay, well lately, I've been working 40 hours a week, 30 hours in school, and then STILL doing HW.

Well, I understand that I have a stress disorder and I am trying to control it.

It's really easy when your younger to get caught up in what you should be doing and looking really far ahead into the future. You don't want to burn yourself out this early in the game. I'd say cut back. It's definitely okay to take mental health breaks. You're only one person, try not to expect too much from yourself.

I'm working in this environment where it seems most everything I do is completely wrong... I mean, I really just can't do much of anything with dogs/cats. I'm fine with exotics, but you'd have to drag me into a dog/cat exam room.

Practice, practice, practice. Don't stress yourself out with what you're doing "wrong," but instead take a step back and think about what you're doing right. For example, "I had better control when I held the dog like this," and then try to replicate it and see if it works again. I only grew up with birds too, so it was really hard when I started working. I still have problems controlling cats sometimes....they can be wiggly things.

I've been literally breaking down and crying lately. My boss has been saying that I'm too "sensitive", and when she says things bluntly, I don't get offended, but I DO get very upset. I don't cry a lot; I've cried once before (a macaw beat me up), but I've cried three times this month. I mean, everyone appreciates the hours I do and all. I think it's the hours and all the things I'm doing. But I just don't know.

Again, I think you should take a step back before you burn out. You have tons of years to gain experience, so don't stress yourself out so much now. Re: the last point, maybe try to get experience someplace like an animal shelter. It will get you more comfortable with dogs and cats and get you around animals in a different environment.

Then, the Dr. has been saying I'm sensitive... In a that's-your-biggest-flaw kind of way. Not that it's a horrible flaw, but that I will have a tough time in vet school. I just turned 17 yrs. Isn't this normal? Should I be confident and hardened by now?

It seems like she has adult expectations of you when, as mature as you are, you're not an adult. I think it's really hard for adults (even me and I'm just 11 years older than you are) to remember what it's like to not know everything they know now. It's not a bad thing to be sensitive, but you also can't let it interfere with your job. It's a fine line and it's not far that she expects you to be perfect at walking it at 17. She may be under additional stress in some other area of her life and be unfairly taking it out on you. The older I get, the more I see that you just never know what's under the surface!

 

[winglessflight]

i'm 21 and still sensitive, although i am much better than when i was 17. i think it comes from loving the career and animals and wanting to do the best we can.

 

[Kara31191]

It seems like she has adult expectations of you when, as mature as you are, you're not an adult. I think it's really hard for adults (even me and I'm just 11 years older than you are) to remember what it's like to not know everything they know now. It's not a bad thing to be sensitive, but you also can't let it interfere with your job. It's a fine line and it's not far that she expects you to be perfect at walking it at 17. She may be under additional stress in some other area of her life and be unfairly taking it out on you. The older I get, the more I see that you just never know what's under the surface!

That's the whole problem. Pretty much. I'm not an adult yet, as much as I'd like to be, I just can't do it. When my hours were like 20 a week, I did most things right. But we have one full time tech, and one part time tech. Our last three receptionists have quit... So I get to play receptionist and stay late finishing things we should have a receptionist to do. I'm cleaning surgery, but I get threatened about breaking things. Then, she tries to reward me by telling me I'm helping her with this facility on April 12th, where I get to see all sorts of lizards and things. I'm just too tired. But it's constantly "Well, nobody here can even be half as tired as I am" or "You people are making mistakes and I always have to fix them."

The cat/dog thing is exhausting because no one really has any time to teach me. It's more of a help where you can when we throw you into it on Tues. Gee... thanks guys.

We have four other staff members and the doc. One is a tech, one's an assistant, and the other two are HS students on a lower level than I am.

I'm just tired. WOOHOO. I'm going to get 4 hours of sleep, and work another ten hour day. I hope I make it through this weekend!

 

[NittanyKitty]

I wonder if you've just been exhausting yourself without even realizing it. I know when I'm really tired and burnt out, I am way more crabby and snappish then when I'm relaxed and got a full night's sleep. You need to take some time for yourself. Since school is still the priority, you should try to cut back on your hours at work. 40 hours per week is a lot, and you essentially have two full time jobs right now. Don't burn yourself out before you're even an "adult"!

 

[Poke]

Kara, I'm with the others on the hours. You're only in high school; don't worry about getting all of the experience right now. I get that way too when I'm feeling overworked/overly stressed. I like stress sometimes, it gets me going... but when you just have too much, it overpowers you quickly. Different people react in different ways. Try to cut back, even to 20 hours, since you know that's an amount you are able to handle at this time.

Your boss should know that as a student, work should not be your number one focus. School should be your number one right now.

 

[VAgirl]

I don't think you're being too sensitive. It sounds to be like you're just overwhelmed. And I totally agree with what everyone else has said, but wanted to throw one more point into the mix. I'm worried that you might not be sure how to pull yourself back from this very large obligation. Your boss is struggling to start her business and seems to have a lot of young high school students working for her (who are probably much cheaper for her to employ than adults trying to make rent and pay bills). While there's not necessarily anything wrong with this, there may be subtle pressures from her on you and the other young folks to do more than you should and not step back from it. She might not even be aware that she's doing this. I know I have trouble telling people in perceived authority roles what I need, so you might find it difficult to tell her you need to cut back your hours (I'd suggest cutting them way back to 10 or 20 hours a week, max).

From things you've said in the past, it sounds like you have really supportive and caring parents. Please talk to them about this. They can really help you in talking to your boss and getting things back under control. They've likely had to tell bosses things before that they didn't want to hear, so they can advise you on how to approach the matter and what things to say. Also, if your boss turns out not to be receptive to the idea of your cutting back on hours (I hope this isn't the case, but it might be), if the situation gets beyond what you think you can handle, it's okay to have one of your parents go talk to her. Sometimes things are bigger than we can handle and it's perfectly okay to ask for help.

Good luck, Kara. Remember, your first responsibility is to yourself. Your emotional and physical health are really, really important, so please give yourself permission to safeguard them. Best of luck to you!

 

[BruceCaboose]

Stressing yourself out has long term physical consequences which you may not notice until a few years down the road. Common problems are grinding your teeth in your sleep, high blood pressure, losing sleep, and psychological issues like anxiety and panic disorders. Take it easy! Relaxation is crucial to your health and to repeat what everyone else is saying -- you have plenty of time to get all the experience you need. You're also risking lower grades if you don't focus enough on school. Enjoy high school and young adulthood while you can 🙂

 

[Whirr]

Take it from someone who has had an academic career not quite as crazy as yours, but still very challenging--if you overdo it, you run the risk of burning yourself out and then it'll ultimately take you longer to reach your goal than if you paced yourself. Learn to cut yourself some slack. You can't do anything if you don't take care of yourself.

My anecdote to all of this is that I worked very hard through high school (graduated from a challenging preparatory school with a 4.0 GPA) and college (18-21 credit loads most semesters, double major, straight A's until two classes in my last year, tutored/worked, etc.) so that by the time I hit my senior year, and took two chemistry classes together that even my professors said was probably not a great idea due to the challenging nature of both of them, I just couldn't continue. I ended up not finishing my chemistry degree as a result, although I was so close that I am now finishing it. In some ways, I'm glad it happened; it took me 8 months to recover from this mini-breakdown, but I learned something important. It didn't help that in the span of one month I graduated from college, moved, and got married, but ultimately, I learned that if I try to do it all, I run the risk of not being able to do any of it. I think this is valuable information for any potential veterinarian, or professional, for that matter. It's not a sign of weakness to realize that you need to take care of yourself; I think it's a mark of maturity.

Stress is a killer. So is lack of sleep. I was amazed last fall when I returned to college for my last pre-vet classes what it felt like to actually be well-rested for schoolwork. I'd forgotten what that felt like!

You have so much time. You're ahead of me in experience for vet school and I'm 5 years older than you are! Don't forget that you need some time to learn more about who you are, too. Try to enjoy the process--you have some wonderful years ahead of you.

Just my two cents! 🙂

 

[Steelmagghia]

Hon, you are not too sensitive for a seventeen year old. Trust me. I used to cry on a weekly basis at seventeen.

I really think you need to talk to the veterinarian you work with about cutting down your hours. There is no way you should be working that much while you are still in school. If she refuses to understand, you may need to find another clinic to work at. Trust me, you do not need THAT much experience to get into veterinary school. I've had a total of two and a half years experience...1.5 years as a volunteer in high school (4-12 hours a week, weekends only and on my terms) and 1 year working part time in college (12-20 hours a week only, unless I wish to take extra shifts to help out). I made it into vet school.

It would be so much worse for you to burn out before you even make it to undergrad than to switch veterinary clinics.

Good luck hon.

 

[ElvisMarie6]

Hi Kara!
I started to work at a vet clinic when I was 17 and I was very sensitive and EVERYONE told me that I was too sensitive all the time. I have grown out of it a little bit and have a little bit tougher skin so there is hope!! I did find that when I was tired, I wasn't able to handle as much! Now a days, I am able to let things slide off my back and I think a lot of it has to do with all of my experience working with people. So while it may suck that someone yells at you about not doing something perfect or because their bill is too high, remember that it will only make you stronger!
It sounds like you are working so much to help your boss out, but if you feel like you would be happier working less hours, don't let them pressure you into stretching yourself too thin. You are only young once!🙂

 

[Hobiecat1642]

Kara, don't worry! You are getting so much great experience! Concentrate on your grades, and take breaks. Cut back on your hours, it's okay to do that. Like other people have said, I still feel stupid at work sometimes. When I was your age, I would get really stressed out when things got busy at the clinic, and it seemed like people's opinions of me were so important. I cried from time to time about animals that were suffering, etc. You're not a robot, it will take time to develop skills to cope with stress. My boss used to tell me that I was too nice, or too sensitive. It's so easy to get burned out, especially when you're working at a young, growing practice. I worked at a one doctor practice for a long time while was in college full time, and it was crazy. You will get through it! What specifically is bothering you about dogs/cats? Cat restraint is crazy hard, everyone has a lot of difficulty with that.

Also, 40 hrs + high school is way too much--some states even have guidlines for minors in terms of how much you can work.

 

[Kara31191]

Here's the insane thing. I really shouldn't be working this much, but we're short staffed. People don't keep a job there because of all of this crap she throws on us.

The doc is very nice, and understanding, but not exactly relaxed. She's trying to train me as a tech. I feel like it's never going to happen. I can function as a tech for birds/reptiles because I've always worked with them. I can even hold for a jugular blood draw for the birds which are experienced tech can't do.

Cats/dogs are a different story. It's not that I can't seem to hold them; it's just that "I should be holding higher on the scruff." or "Your hand needs to be this way, not that way". I can hold around the techs fine, but the doctor is so uptight about me holding. It think it's because I've been bit before (when I was little.) She's more afraid than I am, I'm sure. Big dogs and blood draws are NOT fun for me. I try to find a way to hold without being tossed off. It's tough. (by big, I mean the rotties and up).

Now my boss is saying, just help me two more weekends 🙄 and then you can work signifigantly less. I talked to her today. Yesterday was the last straw... I am definitely too overwhelmed.

Thanks guys.

And here's the sad part... I haven't even spent time with my birds this week. My family has... but I haven't.

Okay though, since I stayed after yesterday, I am not allowed to give an animal fluids all by my lonesome self... You know, as long as they're decent and will stay there. So now I can do alot. But I'm going to back off before I lose it.

Blah. Thanks guys!

 

[Mark G]

I think you've gotten a lot of good advice in this thread. I thought I'd add a couple of things. First, all of us that work with animals feel useless at at one time or another. I always remember a James Herriot quote:

You never know what's in store for you. It's a funny profession, ours, you know. It offers unparalleled opportunities for making a chump of yourself.

If you haven't read Herriot, pick up All Creatures Great and Small and use it as decompression reading.

Second, you'll get better at handling dogs and cats. If it makes you feel any better, I'm the exact opposite. I can handle any dog or cat you throw at me, but parrots scare the crap out me. I would rather restrain an aggressive, neurologic, foaming rottweiler or a feral main coon with no scruff than a timid African Gray. You can scruff a cat and muzzle a dog but birds are so tricky that i feel like one of two things are going to happen, either I'm going to hurt the bird or it's going to take off someone's finger. I sweat through all of the bird exams I assist with and cringe when I see them on the schedule.

Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[Steelmagghia]

Second, you'll get better at handling dogs and cats. If it makes you feel any better, I'm the exact opposite. I can handle any dog or cat you throw at me, but parrots scare the crap out me. I would rather restrain an aggressive, neurologic, foaming rottweiler or a feral main coon with no scruff than a timid African Gray. You can scruff a cat and muzzle a dog but birds are so tricky that i feel like one of two things are going to happen, either I'm going to hurt the bird or it's going to take off someone's finger. I sweat through all of the bird exams I assist with and cringe when I see them on the schedule.

Anyway, hope that helps.

Exactly. Trust me, getting the birds, rodents and reptiles actually means you are a bit ahead.
I think to key for you to remember is that cats and dogs aren't anywhere as delicate as the birds you are used to dealing with. You will not kill a cat by scruffing it too hard. Also, I have just recently learned how to do ferrets. If you have ever done a ferret, think of a cat like a large, super heavy boned ferret with longer limbs. Maybe it will help.

 

[NoleDevil]

I'm not really needing money.

Maybe not at this moment, but you should definitely save up as much money as you can for vet school! I definitely agree that you're working way too much - 40 hours/week of work PLUS 30+ hours/week of school?! I would suggest cutting your hours at work to part time status - 25 hours/week at most (considering the fact that you said you don't really need the money). Getting the experience is definitely important, however, and so is saving up money in general... and schoolwork is definitely, if not more, important! You just need to find a good balance between all of these things - you'll know what that balance is when you don't feel overwhelmed anymore. 😉

 

[BartonVet87]

Kara31191:

I can say I have been in your shoes. I worked at a clinic during HS that was short-staffed and I was the only tech that knew how to handle the large animals. This led to me working on the weekends, before school, after school, and being on call at night. At the time, I was in heaven b/c I was learning so much and I knew I was a crucial part of the clinic.

Jump ahead to college...

I went to a university that was close enough to home so I could come home and work on the weekends. I didn't have much of a social life the first two years of college 🙁
The summer before my junior year of college the owner of the clinic fired the office manager and appointed me temporary manager. Needless to say, I was over-stressed with my tech responsibilities and trying to manage the clinic (billing, ordering meds/supplies, customer relations, etc.). I developed mono and I was ready to cry at a moments notice all summer. It SUCKED. One of the associate vets that I became really good friends with convinced me to take the next year off and take a job offer from a research lab at my university. This was the best decision I have ever made. 🙂

It paid off and I feel like a new person. I can say that I am a social butterfly now and I am getting married to my bf of 5 years this summer. Also I am going to start vet school in the fall!! After taking some much needed time off, I am going to return to the clinic to work part-time this summer. I'm very glad I took some time for myself b/c I don't want to get burned out. Unfortunately, if you keep up the way you are going, you run the risk of burning out before you even get into vet school. 🙁

Enjoy high school!! You are only going to be young once. I didn't listen to this advice when I was your age and I wish I had. Good luck with everything in the future. YOU CAN DO IT!!!😀

*Sorry that was so long!*

 

[laurafinn]

...Our last three receptionists have quit... So I get to play receptionist and stay late finishing things we should have a receptionist to do.... it's constantly "Well, nobody here can even be half as tired as I am" or "You people are making mistakes and I always have to fix them."

This does not sound like a healthy place for you to work. Your boss sounds like she's bullying you, probably without meaning to, but still. You need to do what's best for yourself -- her responsibilities are not your responsibilities. I would definitely cut back on your work hours. I would not feel bad just quitting altogether, with appropriate notice (2 weeks).

 

[kate_g]

Here's the insane thing. I really shouldn't be working this much, but we're short staffed. People don't keep a job there because of all of this crap she throws on us.
...
Now my boss is saying, just help me two more weekends 🙄 and then you can work signifigantly less. I talked to her today. Yesterday was the last straw... I am definitely too overwhelmed.

Kara, this is going to sound like a radical suggestion, but seriously consider it: Take a cue from all those other employees... Quit. Just quit. Don't let her bully or guilt-trip you into two more weekends, don't let her play on the fact that you're a sensitive and caring gal who really wants to do the right thing. Just put in your notice (whatever is legally required in your state), take whatever vacation days you might have accrued, and go. She'll find somebody else to hang all her problems on. Something as insignificant as a job should not be ruining your life right now!

You could start volunteering a couple hours a week at your local shelter (where there will be no birds or rodents or reptiles to preferentially spend your time on) and learn great tricks for restraining the worst-behaved dogs and cats, which will build confidence for finding another job with a saner employer.

In all the rest of your newfound free time, do something that's *not* related to animals or vet med - take art classes, read great literature or trashy detective novels, get involved with your school's theater group, play an outdoor sport... Really, cultivating some outside interests will serve you very well both in the application process and in developing good mechanisms for dealing with the inevitable stress of college, vet school, and life in general.

(Fun clinical correlation for you: At 17, your frontal cortex - the part of your brain that does things like control your emotions and make rational decisions - is not yet fully developed. It won't be until you're 20-25. So being more susceptible to stress and more prone to emotional reactions than an adult is 100% normal functioning of a 17-year-old brain!)

 

[hoodle]

I second Kate_g 100%. Your boss sounds like a toxic personality - get out while you can! and definitely, read a trashy book or two (or twenty if you're me!) nothing is as soothing....

 

[fargeese]

When I taught high school, I saw lots of kids just dragging themselves in because they were working too many hours for a boss that really "needed" them. Had to give them lots of F's and D's too. People will always take advantage if you let them. School is way more important!

Enjoy the rest of high school (if such a thing is possible, I loathed it myself) and work the 10-15 hours only. I got in with less than a thousand hours, but compensated by having an interesting life. I think I got the better deal, since we are all going to end up with thousands of hours anyway once we graduate and now I have lots of cool stories to tell at parties. You have the rest of your life to work with animals so a few hours less now won't make a whit of difference.

 

[twelvetigers]

For what it's worth, I agree.

 

[CookieBear]

I agree with Kate.

It sounds like your boss has alot on her plate, and she's trying to rely on high school kids to help her float and make her practice work, and that is NOT fair to you.

 

[enchantingme2]

Get out now before it ruins vet med for you!

 

[Hollycozza]

You need to go easy on yourself! Working 70 hours a week plus homework will make anyone oversensitive and exhausted. Surely you still have years ahead to buid up hours etc. So relax a little, and cut back those hours!

All the best

That's the whole problem. Pretty much. I'm not an adult yet, as much as I'd like to be, I just can't do it. When my hours were like 20 a week, I did most things right. But we have one full time tech, and one part time tech. Our last three receptionists have quit... So I get to play receptionist and stay late finishing things we should have a receptionist to do. I'm cleaning surgery, but I get threatened about breaking things. Then, she tries to reward me by telling me I'm helping her with this facility on April 12th, where I get to see all sorts of lizards and things. I'm just too tired. But it's constantly "Well, nobody here can even be half as tired as I am" or "You people are making mistakes and I always have to fix them."

The cat/dog thing is exhausting because no one really has any time to teach me. It's more of a help where you can when we throw you into it on Tues. Gee... thanks guys.

We have four other staff members and the doc. One is a tech, one's an assistant, and the other two are HS students on a lower level than I am.

I'm just tired. WOOHOO. I'm going to get 4 hours of sleep, and work another ten hour day. I hope I make it through this weekend!

 

[Kara31191]

🙂 Thanks guys!

Okay, so I cut it down to four on Mon, four on Thurs, and 6 on Saturday. And I sure could use this break. That would be 14 hours, and the best! I need ME time. To... play piano, read, and oh yeah, actually give my parrots the attention they deserve from me! =) My Scarlet has been a bit mad at me. He's my one-person fid! =D

Blah. Monday, Thursday and Saturday... sounds great. And I could always work in the summer. This will work out. Work in small doses! =D

I already have 1,025 hours! LOL. LITERALLY!

 

[Kara31191]

Kara31191:

I can say I have been in your shoes. I worked at a clinic during HS that was short-staffed and I was the only tech that knew how to handle the large animals. This led to me working on the weekends, before school, after school, and being on call at night. At the time, I was in heaven b/c I was learning so much and I knew I was a crucial part of the clinic.

Jump ahead to college...

I went to a university that was close enough to home so I could come home and work on the weekends. I didn't have much of a social life the first two years of college 🙁
The summer before my junior year of college the owner of the clinic fired the office manager and appointed me temporary manager. Needless to say, I was over-stressed with my tech responsibilities and trying to manage the clinic (billing, ordering meds/supplies, customer relations, etc.). I developed mono and I was ready to cry at a moments notice all summer. It SUCKED. One of the associate vets that I became really good friends with convinced me to take the next year off and take a job offer from a research lab at my university. This was the best decision I have ever made. 🙂

It paid off and I feel like a new person. I can say that I am a social butterfly now and I am getting married to my bf of 5 years this summer. Also I am going to start vet school in the fall!! After taking some much needed time off, I am going to return to the clinic to work part-time this summer. I'm very glad I took some time for myself b/c I don't want to get burned out. Unfortunately, if you keep up the way you are going, you run the risk of burning out before you even get into vet school. 🙁

Enjoy high school!! You are only going to be young once. I didn't listen to this advice when I was your age and I wish I had. Good luck with everything in the future. YOU CAN DO IT!!!😀

*Sorry that was so long!*

Story of my life! Thank you! =D

 

[lailanni]

🙂 Thanks guys!

Okay, so I cut it down to four on Mon, four on Thurs, and 6 on Saturday. And I sure could use this break. That would be 14 hours, and the best! I need ME time. To... play piano, read, and oh yeah, actually give my parrots the attention they deserve from me! =) My Scarlet has been a bit mad at me. He's my one-person fid! =D

Blah. Monday, Thursday and Saturday... sounds great. And I could always work in the summer. This will work out. Work in small doses! =D

I already have 1,025 hours! LOL. LITERALLY!

Take it with a grain of salt, but I've been accepted into 2 schools, waitlisted at one, and I have around 1000 hours of clinic experience (some hundreds of other hours at shelters).

So do not worry about getting a load of hours, you're in pretty dang good shape! Especially since you have a few years to go!

Focus on time for you and your family, those extra curriculars (I think those really helped my app!), your grades, and staying sane : )

I'm glad you were able to cut back on hours so you don't burn out. You have to do what's right for you!! As someone else mentioned, over working and stressing = good way to mono. Which from experience, I can tell you sucks like you wouldn't belive!

 

[Steelmagghia]

Yeah, I second Lailanni.
I got into my top choice with 900 hours, 600 of which I got in the year before I applied.
Hours are not the only thing.
One of the vet techs at my vets office has been working there full time with classes for FOUR YEARS....and guess what? She didn't make it. To the same school.
You have to be more than a ton of experience. They want to know that you are a real person too.
Plus, too many hours and your grades will suffer.
First year of college? Don't work. Do your very best in your classes and have a social life.
I am very glad to hear that you have cut back on the hours, though.

 

[VeganSoprano]

I agree with what everyone else has said. Furthermore, your boss may well be breaking the law by employing you 40 hours a week during the school year since you are only 17.

School should come first, followed by family and extra-curriculars including work. Get your parents to back you up on this if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself. You should be working 20 hours a week *tops*. This will give you time to do well in school and also pursue one or two other extra-curriculars, which are almost as important as vet experience when it comes to applying to vet school.

*edit* Just read your most current post. I think 8 hours total during the week and 6 hours on Saturday sounds very reasonable and well balanced. Good for you!