Anyone else burned out?

[bunnyslippers]

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Anyone else getting burned out by this process? It just took me like 4 hours to focus enough to write a measly 400 word essay on student body diversity!

 

[karmapple]

I am. I finally have every thing done, but I feel extremely burned out by the possibility of having go through the slow, painful, tortuous process of getting rejected from every school I apply to. And then picking myself up and going through it again next year. 🙁

 

[Electrophile]

If you guys are feeling bad now...whoever said that getting in was the hardest part was lying.

 

[ShelterGirl]

If you guys are feeling bad now...whoever said that getting in was the hardest part was lying.

+1 👍

 

[Pomona2006]

+1 👍

I think it's easy to say that "getting in is the hardest part" because we aren't in control of it in the end. Sure we can put together this application and write all sorts of stuff, but in the end its an ad-com deciding our fate. It's a passive,difficult task, whereas vet school itself is a VERY active, VERY difficult task in itself.

Nevertheless, I am getting tired of the application stuff. I'm almost eager to get it all off my plate so that I can not think about it for a few months (of course, come January, February, and so on, I'm sure I'll be sick of waiting and REALLY anxious!)

 

[VAgirl]

If you guys are feeling bad now...whoever said that getting in was the hardest part was lying.

I personally hate this statement. They know it's hard. It is. It's hard. But applying is no peach, either. And if you don't get in, you don't even get to the rest. Give 'em a break. Even as hard as things are so far in vet school (and they're hard, and I know they'll only get harder), I'd take this in a heart beat over applying again.

Good luck, guys. Hang in there! It's a long road of anxiousness and nervous anticipation ahead, but you'll survive it, I promise!

 

[dyachei]

I personally hate this statement. They know it's hard. It is. It's hard. But applying is no peach, either. And if you don't get in, you don't even get to the rest. Give 'em a break. Even as hard as things are so far in vet school (and they're hard, and I know they'll only get harder), I'd take this in a heart beat over applying again.

Good luck, guys. Hang in there! It's a long road of anxiousness and nervous anticipation ahead, but you'll survive it, I promise!

I think the only point she was trying to make is that it's not easy once you get in either.

And just from my perspective, I knew it was going to be hard when I signed on....I had no idea how hard. It's easy to try and compare it to undergrad, but at least at my school, we have usually twice as many classes, most with lab components. It's harder than undergrad, but I don't think you can ever truly get a feel for how hard until you get there.

But you're absolutely right, they will survive it. Good luck to everyone applying.

 

[rachroo]

And just from my perspective, I knew it was going to be hard when I signed on....I had no idea how hard. It's easy to try and compare it to undergrad, but at least at my school, we have usually twice as many classes, most with lab components. It's harder than undergrad, but I don't think you can ever truly get a feel for how hard until you get there.

This statement really worries me. 🙁

I've been thinking the last few months about how much I've wanted this for so long and how I am so scared/excited/burned out with filling out my application. I want to be a vet more than anything...but can I do it. Can I physically, mentally, and emotionally do well in vet school? Is it doable or is it like trying to drink from an exploding fire hydrant?

 

[Angelo84]

This statement really worries me. 🙁

I've been thinking the last few months about how much I've wanted this for so long and how I am so scared/excited/burned out with filling out my application. I want to be a vet more than anything...but can I do it. Can I physically, mentally, and emotionally do well in vet school? Is it doable or is it like trying to drink from an exploding fire hydrant?

It is doable--other people have done it! But it takes a lot of work and time management. How much of a life you have depends on what you are aiming for. Personally I try to learn all the material to the best of my ability so I don't have much free time--but I work 5 hours a week and do something for myself every weekend.

 

[StealthDog]

Can I physically, mentally, and emotionally do well in vet school? Is it doable or is it like trying to drink from an exploding fire hydrant?

Yes, yes, and yes! Some tips-

-they really do repeat the important points over and over, so you aren't expected to hear things once and remember them forever
-classes do wear on you, but they change so fast that by the time you're burned out and bored of something, it's over and you're on to something else
-they sprinkle so many cool and fun things in with the hard and tiring things to keep school exciting (i.e. I got to float horse teeth last week!)
-you'll be surrounded by people who know exactly what you're going through and you'll lean on each other for support
-it is a ton of work, but as I'm starting third year, I've realized that the past two years have flown by
-it's all worth it once you get to clinics

Inspirational photo- me and my puppy in bandaging lab!

 

[rachroo]

Thanks! 🙂

 

[RockStarKDub]

This statement really worries me. 🙁

I've been thinking the last few months about how much I've wanted this for so long and how I am so scared/excited/burned out with filling out my application. I want to be a vet more than anything...but can I do it. Can I physically, mentally, and emotionally do well in vet school? Is it doable or is it like trying to drink from an exploding fire hydrant?

It's both doable and like trying to drink from an exploding fire hydrant, but it's an AWESOME fire hydrant with really amazing tasting water!!!

 

[ShelterGirl]

Don't worry, you'll be able to handle it because it's also REALLY interesting and fun.

My only point is that the stress does not ease up - it's just a different kind of stress. 🙂

 

[Electrophile]

I think the only point she was trying to make is that it's not easy once you get in either.

Yeah, exactly. The application process is no picnic, but it's more about staying on top of deadlines and having your ducks in a row than really really hard work. I didn't find all the work getting all my stuff in for the application nearly as difficult as VM-1. Maybe it was because I had to simplify the process by realistically only applying to one school, I dunno. But if you're honestly close to burning out now, I will really fear for you, especially first year. It's a lot of rah rah rah, one big happy family, but they'll still bust your butt with four exams in a week (and not just on finals week either). There's a quote from the movie Gattaca (one of my favs) that really held true, particularly in histology and anatomy:

I was never more certain of how far away I was from my goal than when I was standing right beside it.

StealthDog, love that pic of you and your pup! Very handsome! 😀

 

[QuarterHorseGal]

The application process is awful, depressing even. I promise, it's all worth it! Yes, you study a lot more as a vet student, and the amount and depth of material can make it seem impossible sometimes, but it isn't, and you'll find methods of studying that work for you. In addition, you'll actually want to learn what you are being taught, and that makes a huge difference. Also, one thing I have noticed that has changed from when I was where you all are and where I am now is that I feel very happy nearly all the time. This is the only place I want to be right now and I have worked so incredibly hard to get here. I feel so lucky because so few people get to truly live their dreams! So just hang in there. 🙂

 

[dpcdoc]

I think it's easy to say that "getting in is the hardest part" because we aren't in control of it in the end. Sure we can put together this application and write all sorts of stuff, but in the end its an ad-com deciding our fate. It's a passive,difficult task, whereas vet school itself is a VERY active, VERY difficult task in itself.

Nevertheless, I am getting tired of the application stuff. I'm almost eager to get it all off my plate so that I can not think about it for a few months (of course, come January, February, and so on, I'm sure I'll be sick of waiting and REALLY anxious!)

You will think about it............. constantly.

 

[catlover]

...you'll actually want to learn what you are being taught, and that makes a huge difference.

Er, actually, this semester we're taking professional writing. I really don't care about semicolons, at all. I don't like them and don't want to use them, and I don't care about the rules for them.

 

[pressmom]

If you guys are feeling bad now...whoever said that getting in was the hardest part was lying.

I'm 3 tests in to a 5 test string. Trust me, I'm already burnt out.

 

[pressmom]

This statement really worries me. 🙁

I've been thinking the last few months about how much I've wanted this for so long and how I am so scared/excited/burned out with filling out my application. I want to be a vet more than anything...but can I do it. Can I physically, mentally, and emotionally do well in vet school? Is it doable or is it like trying to drink from an exploding fire hydrant?

I wasn't kidding when I said I was already burnt out, but the general consensus I hear from upperclasspeople is that 1st semester second year here you have the most hard classes of any semester. But there are a lot of cool things. It's very draining, but you'll find things to get you through: friends, study breaks, family, whatever. I'm excited about being down in radiology all next week, but I still have a lot on my plate to do when I get home at night. I think I only have 24 test/quizzes left this semester! WOO HOO!!!!

 

[dyachei]

This statement really worries me. 🙁

I've been thinking the last few months about how much I've wanted this for so long and how I am so scared/excited/burned out with filling out my application. I want to be a vet more than anything...but can I do it. Can I physically, mentally, and emotionally do well in vet school? Is it doable or is it like trying to drink from an exploding fire hydrant?

My point wasn't to worry you, just that its so different than you can imagine and so hard to predict. Like others have said, its doable. You just have to work at it.

 

[lailanni]

The application process is awful, depressing even. I promise, it's all worth it! Yes, you study a lot more as a vet student, and the amount and depth of material can make it seem impossible sometimes, but it isn't, and you'll find methods of studying that work for you. In addition, you'll actually want to learn what you are being taught, and that makes a huge difference. Also, one thing I have noticed that has changed from when I was where you all are and where I am now is that I feel very happy nearly all the time. This is the only place I want to be right now and I have worked so incredibly hard to get here. I feel so lucky because so few people get to truly live their dreams! So just hang in there. 🙂

Ditto! Much more happiness!! Am I working my arse off? Yes. Am I having a good time? YES! Granted I'm only a first year so I may not be seasoned enough to say, but I'm enjoying my lifestyle. School takes up a huge chunk but I (generally) like what I'm learning. They do throw in enough cool stuff that makes the duller stuff more interesting. And so far I have enough time to play with my rabbit, exercise, cook good meals and function as a regular person. And there are certainly days were I'm so brain dead I may not function as a regular person. But I wouldn't go back to the waiting-to-see year for anything! That was awful!

First you worry about getting in. Then you actually get in! So then you worry about going into massive debt. Then you finally get over that. Then it's time for school to start, more freaking out. Then you see school is fun! But then it's time for the first exams, more freaking out. So freaking out is going to be a lifelong hobby for some people. Just try to freak out less and life will be easier.

 

[david594]

Burnt out? Definitely.

Over the last year I have taken 37 credit hours of class and worked an average of 40 hours per week. The closest thing I have had to vacations are the single week I have off of class between semesters where I am only working the 40 hours. Then add in that my commute that is 2 hours and 15 minutes round trip for school and I am on campus 5 days a week.

So yeah,
40 hours work per week.
22 hours class per week.
11 hours commuting to class per week
2 hours commuting to work per week

+ homework, cooking, life, applications...

Yup feeling pretty justified in my feeling burnt out. I figure at least when I get to vet school I will be able to focus, and minimally save myself 15 hours per week of commuting time.

 

[ellehan]

burned out? sadly. i'm busy studying for the GRE as i decided to sneak one last test in before the deadline. and on top of that my days are consumed finishing my applications. silly me thought that it would be a breeze since i applied last year and already had all my essays done/questions answered from the year before but since i am anal about everything i am currently sitting here rewritting just about every single one of them...

 

[DreamComeTrue09]

I am beyond the point of exhaustion and this is coming from a person who has pulled 3 all-nighters in a row. Yes, I've had 5 exams in 3 days for biochem, organic chem, microbioloy, genetics, and reproduction..so took it upon myself to stay up for 72 hrs straight studying!

All though this semester I havent pulled all nighters studying, I've ALMOST pulled all nighters re-writing my personal statement. I've had many exams, so far..and i even have another on oct 1st as well as a paper, quiz etc etc lol...but these days I've been killing myself....

I havent painted my nails in 4 weeks and my room is a complete mess...i have no time to clean/take care of myself LOL its just work, school, applics, and 3 hrs of sleep...start day again 😴

 

[VAgirl]

Maybe it was because I had to simplify the process by realistically only applying to one school, I dunno.

Not to be a jerk, but yeah, that is probably why you don't think it was very hard. Juggling several schools requirements, etc. (I did 6...any more and I think I would have shot somebody, though some people do obviously manage it) was really really really hard.

Different strokes for different folks. But I'm a huge advocate for the fact that if someone says what they're doing is the hardest thing they've ever done, then that deserves every bit as much respect as the hardest thing I've ever done. My dad was always really good at this, even when I was young, and I really respected it. Especially when comparing that to what my brother always did. (Admittedly he was not an adult at the time, so I definitely don't hold it against him.) But he would always tell me that whatever I was doing was not hard compared to what he was doing (he's a few years older, so of course even when I got to where he'd been, it was still nothing). That approach seems to turn things into a pissing contest, whereas my dad's approach always seemed so damn supportive and comforting.

Anyway, sorry, not to harp. Just a major pet peeve of mine.

Good luck applicants! (And good luck to all the vet students out there slogging through the first bout of exams this year...ugh.)

 

[efab]

nicely done david594. that is a lot.

 

[philomycus]

I'm right there with you david.

I work a full time job at the high school, which "on paper" is 40 hours each week, but it's more. I teach 4 nights a week at the communtiy college. I work as a vet assistant at 2 different hospitals, weekends, holidays, etc. Plus, I've had to rehab 14 baby squirrels this fall and complete one college course that's required by two schools.

I know once you get it's hard. I'm not pretending to know waht's it liks once you are in. But I can tell you after working almost 75 hours every week, trying to maintain a family, help the rest of my family, etc. I am flipping exhausted. I've been doing 75 hours a week for 2.5 years.

Vet school is ONE full time job?? Count me in. I think I'd acutally almost have more of a life than I do now.



The applciation to me is tedious, but not too annoying. It's all the working inbetween cycles that I'm dying from. I can't keep working this many hours for another year. I will wither away.

 

[Catnapper]

Amen, Philo, Amen. I'm working a full-time job, part-timing at a cat hospital, volunteering every week, caring for a feral colony, and caring for my geriatric kitties (who I never get to see, it seems), oh yeah, AND taking biochem night class--which doesn't compare to all of your family issues, I must say! But still...I just wanna sleep in one glorious morning!!! 🙄

 

[geauxLA]

If you guys are feeling bad now...whoever said that getting in was the hardest part was lying.

Exactly! I thought vet school was going to be like having full time job, or at least something like grad school... it isn't. If you get in, you will wish things were as easy as writing a diversity statement, instead of trying to smuggle 6+ hrs/day studying on top of spending all day in class. But, vet school is great! wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

 

[dyachei]

I'm right there with you david.

I work a full time job at the high school, which "on paper" is 40 hours each week, but it's more. I teach 4 nights a week at the communtiy college. I work as a vet assistant at 2 different hospitals, weekends, holidays, etc. Plus, I've had to rehab 14 baby squirrels this fall and complete one college course that's required by two schools.

I know once you get it's hard. I'm not pretending to know waht's it liks once you are in. But I can tell you after working almost 75 hours every week, trying to maintain a family, help the rest of my family, etc. I am flipping exhausted. I've been doing 75 hours a week for 2.5 years.

Vet school is ONE full time job?? Count me in. I think I'd acutally almost have more of a life than I do now.

I don't want to repeat myself, I just want to clarify the point I was trying to make earlier. I felt the same way before I started vet school. In undergrad I had three jobs in addition to full-time classes and heavy club involvement. I was exhausted and thought that vet school couldn't possibly be any more exhausting than that.

its very different. And its not about scaring you, its about being realistic about this. You go to school usually all morning and most afternoons and then you come home and study. Thats before any other involvement in clubs, jobs, and family/relationships. It's very rewarding, but its exhausting in a very different way. like when you realize that you are responsible for lives in an anesthesiology lab and you start to stress about every little thing that can go wrong. Or the fact that you have 2 months of exams with at least 1 a week (if not more). I'm not saying your lives aren't hard, I'm just saying that I thought I didn't have enough hours in my day before vet school, and looking back, those times now seem like they had an ample amount of free time.

 

[philomycus]

I don't want to repeat myself, I just want to clarify the point I was trying to make earlier. I felt the same way before I started vet school. In undergrad I had three jobs in addition to full-time classes and heavy club involvement. I was exhausted and thought that vet school couldn't possibly be any more exhausting than that.

Trust me, you have no idea. I am teaching school, on my feet all day from 8-3:30. Then I drive 45 minute to go teach at the college for 2.5 hours. Then I drive 35 minutes home. Then I feed all the animals, maintain the house, grade papers, update my website and then go to bed at 11:30 pm. Then on the wekends I'm working as a vet tech. Oh trust me, I'm not scared.

 

[david594]

like when you realize that you are responsible for lives in an anesthesiology lab and you start to stress about every little thing that can go wrong.

Your right, absolutely no idea. And the 3 years I spent working as an EMT in a hick town were all completely stress free. Never once had a single patient I had to worry about. A BVM, oxygen and oral glucse could fix anything.[/sarcasm]

We cant compare, we have all had different life experiences.

 

[VAgirl]

We cant compare, we have all had different life experiences.

Amen.