Anyone Else Terrified?

[AMC23]

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I was just wondering if anyone else is having second thoughts about going to vet school... It's like I have worked so hard for so many years but now that I am actually accepted I am having all of these second thoughts. Do I really want to take out all these loans, or am I really qualified? I feel like my undergraduate statistics are not a true representation of my own abilities... There was so much support both from other students and profs that I feel they almost made it so that if you put in the time and effort you would succeed. I guess looking at the vet curriculum and realizing there is no curve, or professor study guides, old tests on blackboard, etc., I am wondering if I can make it through. I listen to and watch the vets I work with and think that I am not nearly as qualified or capable as they are or were when they started, and it scares me. Will I be able to complete school? Are there any other first years, or current students, that feel or felt that way? As the time comes to really make the final decision I guess I wanted some insight from others who are in the same place right now. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Angelo84]

Please take a deep breathe. It will be okay. I am not sure what school you are going to but there will likely be many of the same support structures. We don't have study guides exactly but we do get lecture objectives, a few classes will give you old exams (mostly second and third year however), and many of your classmates will be eager to study together especially for anatomy. For many people talking things over and explaining things to each other make things stick much better. There may also be free (paid by the school) tutoring from upperclassman if you are floundering. As far as loans go I would talk to the finanacial aid office there are several great programs (income based repayment and the underserved area programs) that can be very helpful. As far as the it was a mistake feeling read about the imposter syndrome--the adcoms didn't screw up.

Also talk to the vets you work with they likely had similar feelings when they were entering vet school.

 

[AMC23]

Thanks for the input. I hope I am not the only one that feels like this in the incoming class. It is nice to hear that there are support networks available in school. I guess once a student makes it this far the last thing the adcoms want is for that student to fail. As far as talking to the vets I work with now, I feel like if I brought that up they might look down on me for thinking I might not be successful. After all the work I have put in I feel like this should be the last thing on my mind but its really all I think about right now. Thanks again for the advice. Its nice to hear from someone who has already been through this.

 

[ORvetgirl]

I had some of those same thoughts...I think it's only natural. Sometimes I even doubted whether this was the path I really wanted; I've wanted it so long, I wondered if I was simply just "stuck" on this path. There are support systems, as was already stated. At my school, they include big sibs, faculty mentors, old exams in some classes, study objectives, peer tutors, and most professors will hold review sessions before exams if someone in the class approaches them about it. They definitely don't want you to fail, and they told us that during orientation. It's kind of a "you've all made it into the lifeboat, now we want to make sure you all survive" mentality.

 

[rileyroo]

terrified is an understatement... 😱

 

[RunTheWorld]

Oh I definitely have all those feelings

 

[Nexx]

Just wait until you start trying to think about life after vet school aka what you want to do when you grow up.

Yep, vet school was the goal and you've reached it.. now what?! I think I have about 16 months until graduation and I still am at this point. 🙂

It's all normal, this thread pops up almost yearly. You'll feel like this for a while: http://api.ning.com/files/kbxyyV9Y2...4goh*d8uIaEc8bY9Ac*hKyF7/fox_hounds791427.jpg

Like the school made some mistake letting you in and you are an outsider blending into the crowd. But it'll work out 🙂

 

[lalzi22]

absolutely terrified

 

[DVMorBust]

Like the school made some mistake letting you in and you are an outsider blending into the crowd. But it'll work out

To the OP, don't worry, it's incredibly common to feel terrified. We had a talk during orientation about Imposter Syndrome (Fraud Syndrome, Imposter Phenomenon) and it's really not an uncommon thing especially in higher ed. That feeling like you lucked into your acceptance, or you didn't REALLY earn it, or you won't be able to measure up because you've just been fooling everyone with regards to your competence in a given area, etc.

It was nice to have a frank discussion about it, and the administration basically told us that if we have doubts about our ability to hack it in vet school, we should trust them.

You got in for a reason, and the people who made that decision have been making them for a very, very long time. You don't know what to expect in veterinary school, which of course can make the prospect of attending terrifying. But the ones who gave you the acceptance DO know, better than anyone else, and they are confident that you'll cope. And you're not fooling them into thinking that way.

 

[NStarz]

To the OP, don't worry, it's incredibly common to feel terrified. We had a talk during orientation about Imposter Syndrome (Fraud Syndrome, Imposter Phenomenon) and it's really not an uncommon thing especially in higher ed. That feeling like you lucked into your acceptance, or you didn't REALLY earn it, or you won't be able to measure up because you've just been fooling everyone with regards to your competence in a given area, etc.

It was nice to have a frank discussion about it, and the administration basically told us that if we have doubts about our ability to hack it in vet school, we should trust them.

You got in for a reason, and the people who made that decision have been making them for a very, very long time. You don't know what to expect in veterinary school, which of course can make the prospect of attending terrifying. But the ones who gave you the acceptance DO know, better than anyone else, and they are confident that you'll cope. And you're not fooling them into thinking that way.

Great post! I haven't even applied yet, and I feel less nervous!

 

[pawprints]

Great post! I haven't even applied yet, and I feel less nervous!

LMAO! I totally agree, and I was going to say the exact same thing! Thanks for the reassurance! 😀

 

[Hopefully2013]

I'm scared too and I haven't even made it as far as applying yet! I'm just a sophmore and I sit around thinking "Can I really do this? Maybe I should change my major before it's too late..."

 

[ginger17317]

terrified is an understatement... 😱

YES!!! I'm right there with you... this terror truly only sank in AFTER reading the C/O 2014... how ya doing? thread!

Like the school made some mistake letting you in and you are an outsider blending into the crowd. But it'll work out 🙂

I think i felt like this until a few weeks ago... I figured if they really made a mistake, I'd have been contacted by now!

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I'm going to give ya'all a wonderful quote by pathstudent, a poster in the path forums --

"Pathology [or in this case, veterinary medicine/vet school in general] is like competitive eating. It is impossible to imagine eating 5 or 6 hot dogs or a 3lb hamburger in one sitting, but before you know it you are downing 50 dogs at Coney Island and talking trash to Kobayashi."

For everyone worried about their experience.....I came into school is very little clinical knowledge. Seriously.

I was all about research and biochem and chemical physio. For examle, I had no idea you actually pulled blood from the jugular and was terrified the first time I saw it!!! The only clinic I worked at for a few weeks was all cats and we always did legs, which of course I was never allowed to do anything. I didn't know any of these acronyms people throw around, ADR, HBC, BDLD, and felt stupid when people talked about them so nonchalantly. But I also had a lot of biochemistry and immuno knowledge that others didnt - so in that way, I helped my classmates.

If you feel inexperienced in one area, remind yourself what you are good at!! There are always going to be people who are *****hats. One person even told me, after a terrible performance on my first spay, that I took a spot away from someone who wanted to be a "real veterinarian" because I wanted to do research and was woefully ignorant of clinical things. but yknow what? On the spay final exam, I was the FIRST one done and got top marks 🙂 Heck, in fourth year i was putting caths in Corgi legs. This is not to blow my own horn by ANY means, it is just to illustrate that you LEARN. They accepted you to TEACH you, not to have you come in and know everything already. You aren't expected to be perfect the day you set foot in the door- I promise 🙂

 

[AMC23]

I think i felt like this until a few weeks ago... I figured if they really made a mistake, I'd have been contacted by now!

Hahahaha... I like that.

Its nice to know other feel the same way. I think that one of the biggest concerns for me, and I know this sounds weird coming from someone in the sciences, is the math that all the vets do. I see and hear the vets I work with figuring out dosages and scripting meds., and it worries me. I have always struggled with math; and in undergrad I feel like I just made it through test to test memorizing what I needed to. The vets have even shown me how to figure out some of the basic stuff and I struggle to grasp the concepts or remember how to figure it out. I'd like to think I am pretty good at the conceptual material and how things work and why, I just hope I can get through and not only that but retain and use the mathmatics part of school. It is a big hangup for me in this whole decision process of being a vet and if this is the right thing...

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

The math really just comes from memory - they are calculating and prescribing every day, multiple times per day, for years. Even if you aren't a math whiz, if it becomes part of your daily life you just get so used to it, it becomes second nature, you don't even think about it.

 

[nyanko]

To the OP, don't worry, it's incredibly common to feel terrified. We had a talk during orientation about Imposter Syndrome (Fraud Syndrome, Imposter Phenomenon) and it's really not an uncommon thing especially in higher ed. That feeling like you lucked into your acceptance, or you didn't REALLY earn it, or you won't be able to measure up because you've just been fooling everyone with regards to your competence in a given area, etc.

Very, very, very common. I can't tell you the number of graduate students I've spoken with who feel like this (myself definitely included). Hell, I still feel like any day now is going to be the day when my PI figures out that I'm actually a complete idiot and my data and ideas are all worthless and not at all worth caring about or writing about. Like, I'm only here because I was a PITA who insisted that I could do it and why the hell should anyone believe me anyway?

Someone please tell me it goes away...I don't think it will and it is absolutely terrifying!

So yes, needless to say I am petrified. I constantly ask myself what I am getting into here. I hate classes based on memorization and I can't stand stupid cliquish drama.

On the other hand, I am so extremely intrigued by how everything works together, and so oriented on understanding entire processes and fitting some sort of model to complex systems. I love the science, and am ridiculously intrigued by the whole thought process of medicine...but still, I think about what I have to make it through and I feel almost sick.

I think it's actually causing me to have some kind of mental block with writing my thesis - some part of me doesn't want to be done with this step.

Damn, reading over all that, I don't think this is a good time to be on filing fee and thus unable to see a campus psychologist... 🙄

If you feel inexperienced in one area, remind yourself what you are good at!! There are always going to be people who are *****hats. One person even told me, after a terrible performance on my first spay, that I took a spot away from someone who wanted to be a "real veterinarian" because I wanted to do research

I hope it wasn't too immediately after the spay. Pretty sure that such a scenario might end up with forceps lodged in an eye socket if somebody said something like that to me...

 

[Tobysgirl81]

Hahahaha... I like that.

Its nice to know other feel the same way. I think that one of the biggest concerns for me, and I know this sounds weird coming from someone in the sciences, is the math that all the vets do. I see and hear the vets I work with figuring out dosages and scripting meds., and it worries me. I have always struggled with math; and in undergrad I feel like I just made it through test to test memorizing what I needed to. The vets have even shown me how to figure out some of the basic stuff and I struggle to grasp the concepts or remember how to figure it out. I'd like to think I am pretty good at the conceptual material and how things work and why, I just hope I can get through and not only that but retain and use the mathmatics part of school. It is a big hangup for me in this whole decision process of being a vet and if this is the right thing...

Trust me, I'm HORRIBLE at math. I'm a whiz at biology and literature, but put numbers in front of me? I might as well just crumple the paper and throw it out. However, as Whts said, working with drugs on a daily basis makes it so I know the dosages and calculations by heart and approximately what the dose SHOULD be. When you do it all the time it becomes second nature, even if you don't really *do* math that well.

A lot of the math is stuff you've learned before - converting mgs to mls and vice versa... The ones I'd have to look up again are dilution equations. But you'll do fine! It will get easier as you go along 🙂

 

[Nechochwen]

For everyone worried about their experience.....I came into school is very little clinical knowledge. Seriously.

Thank you for saying that. My clinical experience (or lack thereof) has been my main worry. I've had the thought running through my head that "I'm good with science and biology, but does that mean anything about me good with veterinary medicine?" I haven't had a good wave of being terrified, but I think that week before class is going to have me shaking.

 

[WIDVM]

It's such a relief to not be the only petrified one. We've spent the past few months consumed with home selling/moving the reality of actually going to vet school in just sinking in now. Eeek!

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I hope it wasn't too immediately after the spay. Pretty sure that such a scenario might end up with forceps lodged in an eye socket if somebody said something like that to me...

I managed to keep my composure 😉 although I did walk out on a lab with them once and say a few Sunday School words. And have to endure a few clinics too. What was so weird to me was that wasn't the good southern way to treat people 😉 At Va-Md people are generally very chill, hence my more-than-normal indignation....

 

[nitheninny]

I know I'm several days behind on this, but I seriously wanted to thank everyone who posted. I know deep down that this is what I want to do, and that I CAN do it, but my god, the second thoughts and self-doubt is just awful!

I even opened up to my friends and my parents about this. It's been about four years since I actually worked in a veterinary hospital, and even though I worked there for six years, I was so poorly "trained" that I'm sort of living in fear that I'll get to school and realize I'm lightyears behind everyone else. They all just looked at me like I was nuts, so I'm really really glad to know I'm not alone!

 

[StartingoverVet]

I kind of laugh everytime I read people saying "well you may not be good at ____ but at least you have experience at _____".

I have no clinical skills.
I have no research experience.
I have (essentially) no upper level bio classes.
I haven't taken a full load of classes in literally decades.

So am I nervous? Yes.
Do I have doubts? Yes, I wouldn't be human otherwise.

But hopefully all of you can say "At least I'm better off than SOV!"

Fasten your seatbelts.... we may experience some turbulence ahead

 

[Kat0303]

It's totally normal to be nervous and to feel like you don't know what to expect. This is a completely new experience for most people, and there are more people than not that have doubts about whether they are making a good choice or not. But, you'll see that while it's a lot, and can be overwhelming, it's worth it and you are completely capable of doing it.

Before I started vet school, I thought my classmates were going to be some other breed of person...the kind that don't need to sleep, study all day long, and aren't interested in making friends. I have no idea why I thought that's what it would be like, but if there's anyone else that thinks that's what it'll be like, just know that it isn't! 🙂 I've made some of the best friends of my life in vet school, and you will find other people that are on the same page as you that you can get support from and that you can be there to support.

Also, I completely agree with the other current students, that don't worry about it if you don't have a lot/any experience. There is no doubt that there will be other people in your class with as little or no experience too. I had barely any at all when I started, and I was nervous about it too. But, in labs there will be people that don't know how to do anything, and other people that know a lot. The great thing about that though is, in my experience, your classmates are an awesome resource. I'd rather ask my friend for help running anesthesia, or where the uterine horn is, or how to draw blood, than have to ask a professor. It really is ok to not have a clue how to do stuff when you start. Just be open to learning from the friends you make, and you'll be happy that the more experienced people are there!

 

[aspiringDVM]

My Miller's Anatomy of the Dog arrived today. I delightedly sliced open the mailing envelope, tore off the plastic wrap, opened the book at random and ... oh **** oh **** oh **** what have I gotten myself into???

 

[rileydog]

I kind of laugh everytime I read people saying "well you may not be good at ____ but at least you have experience at _____".

I have no clinical skills.
I have no research experience.
I have (essentially) no upper level bio classes.
I haven't taken a full load of classes in literally decades.

So am I nervous? Yes.
Do I have doubts? Yes, I wouldn't be human otherwise.

But hopefully all of you can say "At least I'm better off than SOV!"

Fasten your seatbelts.... we may experience some turbulence ahead

SOV is good at knowing his limitations and self-deprecating humor 🙂

 

[flyhi]

I am essentially in the same boat as SOV....an ole fart with no experience and a brain going to mush (just me, not SOV, i'm sure). I told my vet the other day my fears and that I will certainly be the test pilot to see if vet schools really can teach someone from zero to Dr. in 5 years! He told me not to worry. Yeah right.

 

[der2002]

I suppose if I sit down and actively think about starting vet school, I might be inclined to be overwhelmed and under-trained. That said, I'm so busy packing up my life, worrying about not yet signing a lease, and tying up loose ends before I move that I don't really have time to freak out about vet school.

Anyone else feel this way?

 

[xxalic3xx]

Me too! I haven't finished applying and I am hella nervous……it feels like, I've worked so far and what if I fail…………………………………………..and I'm sure if I get in, I'll feel like I was the last one chosen or something……

 

[UM2014]

I suppose if I sit down and actively think about starting vet school, I might be inclined to be overwhelmed and under-trained. That said, I'm so busy packing up my life, worrying about not yet signing a lease, and tying up loose ends before I move that I don't really have time to freak out about vet school.

Anyone else feel this way?

Same here. My biggest stress is wrapping up all the loose ends at work. Between my research projects, quarterly reports and the contract I've been hammering out with one of our suppliers I'm a little overwhelmed! I'm doing my best to make it the easiest transition possible for the company/my replacement but with my last day of work being two weeks from this Friday I just don't think I'll get everything done.

I haven't even started thinking about actually moving myself yet let alone getting my horse settled. My lease starts in just one week so I need to start figuring logistics out for sure. I wish I could just fast forward through the moving part and avoid all the stress!

 

[WhippetsRule]

I am essentially in the same boat as SOV....an ole fart with no experience and a brain going to mush (just me, not SOV, i'm sure). I told my vet the other day my fears and that I will certainly be the test pilot to see if vet schools really can teach someone from zero to Dr. in 5 years! He told me not to worry. Yeah right.

Count me in the ole-fart-brain-going-to-mush-no-full-course-load-for-years-long-ago-vet-experience-group, too. And I am absolutely terrified that I won't know enough and won't be able to learn fast enough/keep up...

 

[StartingoverVet]

Apparently my subconscious is working full-time already on my vet school fears....

Last night I had a dream (nightmare?) that I was doing a spay operation on a frog and botched it up, had to have my sister-in-law (ugh) help me out and while assisting her I managed to contaminate the incision site with some sort of wood and accidentally turned off the power. Then a senior surgeon had to come and save the convulsing little hopper. In the end the frog died and I was miserable. Then I was wandering around in the dark while everyone was sleeping.

Have a go at that one Freudians!

 

[BlacKAT33]

Apparently my subconscious is working full-time already on my vet school fears....

Last night I had a dream (nightmare?) that I was doing a spay operation on a frog and botched it up, had to have my sister-in-law (ugh) help me out and while assisting her I managed to contaminate the incision site with some sort of wood and accidentally turned off the power. Then a senior surgeon had to come and save the convulsing little hopper. In the end the frog died and I was miserable. Then I was wandering around in the dark while everyone was sleeping.

Have a go at that one Freudians!

🙁 i've been having nightmares every night this week because 1) thinking about vet school before i sleep 2) my bf is traveling for work this whole week and i'm lonely. sighhhhhhhhhh at least i have my kitty to come walk on my back and lick my face to wake me up from my terrible dreams in the morning lol

 

[gilch]

at least i have my kitty to come walk on my back and lick my face to wake me up from my terrible dreams in the morning lol

Is that your cat in your avatar? Somehow, I always thought you had a black cat...

 

[BlacKAT33]

Is that your cat in your avatar? Somehow, I always thought you had a black cat...

hahaha that is a normal assumption!! That is my cat in my avatar! I used to have a black cat named sylvester. We had to put him down in '04. I derived the Blackat33 screen name back when I was a kid and he was my only cat.

 

[philomycus]

My Miller's Anatomy of the Dog arrived today. I delightedly sliced open the mailing envelope, tore off the plastic wrap, opened the book at random and ... oh **** oh **** oh **** what have I gotten myself into???

Don't stress out about that. I did the SAME thing last summer. Got that book and thought I'd get a head start in anatomy. That book is a terrific REFERENCE. You're gonna be just fine!