Advice for taking an extra year to finish DVM

[KitCat]

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I worked at a single doctor practice for three years (before starting at vet school in 2015) where the entire clinic were great mentors. Unfortunately, I had to end up repeating second semester physiology, I didn't have to repeat the whole year but had to wait a whole year just to take physiology again so ultimately, I will be graduating with 2020 instead of 2019. The only people I told were my parents and my now fiance but now I have the chance to go back and work for that same clinic again this summer and I'm not sure if/what to tell them since I'm sure they think I have completed my second year. I want to be honest but I don't want to make it a big deal.

 

[WildZoo]

I'd say if they ask about it and you feel comfortable, go ahead and tell them. If your relationship with them is such that concealing it would make things awkward (like if they would ask you about particular classes or stuff like that) then it seems like it would make more sense to let them know.

 

[LetItSnow]

Personally, I'd advocate for being honest. Don't need to go into huge detail, but if your mentor dvm asks, I'd say "well, I struggled with that year, and I'm going to retake some material to get better on track." There's not much downside to the honest approach. If they judge you for it - that tells you more about them then anything. If you want to keep the door open for having a future at the clinic (if that's something you're thinking), then being open/honest is best.

With the technical staff I'd be a little more reticent and just say "Well, vet school is tough, but I'm getting through it" or something similar.

I think if you try and hide it and it eventually comes out it just makes you look worse than facing it straight on.

You'll be just as good a vet as any of us; don't let the setback wreck your confidence.

 

[cellowars]

I would sit down with them and tell them where you are in school so there are no secrets to be found out later.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[KitCat]

Thank you everyone for offering support and being so kind (I was hesitant to post it because I don't want to be looked down upon). I would like to let them know asap and have been messaging the practice manager and her husband (the doctor) about coming back this summer, would it be okay/best to let them know now via text?

 

[KitCat]

And I don't know if they'll pry but do I need to give reasons? Honestly, it was a mix of things...parents divorce prior to starting, ADD/depression, moving across the country

 

[love2hunt]

I agree with LIS and WildZoo. To add to what they said, IMO, it doesn't need to be a sit-down, serious conversation and you don't need to bring it up over text. It will likely come up naturally in conversation once you're back working for them.

 

[WildZoo]

Yup, I agree there's not really a reason to make it a huge point to tell them until it comes up (which I'm sure it will, just when they ask you how school is going).

You don't have to give reasons unless you want to and feel comfortable discussing the things that you were struggling with. Again that comes down to your relationship with them.

 

[orca2011]

I second what everyone else has said about just being honest if/when it comes up. And I hope no one would look down on you for having to retake a class. I know quite a few people who have had to retake a class or two and it put them a year behind. Not once have I ever though that that changes their ability to be a good vet.

 

[chickenlittle]

I would imagine that, at some point during your first week or two there, someone will ask "so, how'd this year go?" I'd respond with a quick "meh.... physiology didn't go so well, so I'll be joining the class of 2020 next year so that I can retake it." It's not a huge deal, so don't make one out of it.