Sacrifices

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jmo1012

jmo1012

SGU (NCSU) c/o 2015!
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Feeling a little bit down about some of the sacrifices I'm making for vet school, so I thought I'd ask what sorts of sacrifices others are making/have made/will have to make for this long journey but hopefully rewarding journey?

I hate that I have to leave my family and friends behind for 8 months of the year while i'm in another world. It's really hard to leave my pets behind, particularly knowing one of them is getting up there in age. The two things I want most right now are totally incompatible with each other. No amount of life rearrangement could make them work together and it's really tough. And I feel like all of these are made just that much harder because I absolutely LOVE Grenada and school. Such a heart tug in many directions!
 
$65,000/year. Life with my boyfriend. My 16.5 year old dog. My awesome job as a vet assistant.
BUT, I know it will be worth it in the end. Just keep looking towards 2015. Time goes by so quickly these days...🙂
Also, aren't you coming back to the states for clinics?
 
psilovethomas said:
$65,000/year. Life with my boyfriend. My 16.5 year old dog. My awesome job as a vet assistant.
BUT, I know it will be worth it in the end. Just keep looking towards 2015. Time goes by so quickly these days...🙂
Also, aren't you coming back to the states for clinics?
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I know it will definitely all be worth it. And 2015 seems just that much closer now that I get to say 2012 instead of 2011 haha.

we do come back for clinics, but who knows where I'll end up! I don't necessarily miss the US though, just the handful of people and animals I love to death. I think I actually prefer the calm, laid back, simplicity that Grenadian society is. There is not nearly as much "need" and waste-the lack of excessiveness is refreshing
 
jmo1012 said:
I know it will definitely all be worth it. And 2015 seems just that much closer now that I get to say 2012 instead of 2011 haha.

we do come back for clinics, but who knows where I'll end up! I don't necessarily miss the US though, just the handful of people and animals I love to death. I think I actually prefer the calm, laid back, simplicity that Grenadian society is. There is not nearly as much "need" and waste-the lack of excessiveness is refreshing
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Well, I think you will feel more content in the states knowing that if you need to go home quickly, you can. IIRC, your IS in VMRCVM? Are they affiliated with SGU? Not to hijack, but how does the clinic selection process work?
 
I'm pretty fortunate, my sacrifices are pretty trivial (sleep, social life, good skin, and sanity) compared to what some people are giving up.

It will be so worth it in the end though 🙂.
 
psilovethomas said:
Well, I think you will feel more content in the states knowing that if you need to go home quickly, you can. IIRC, your IS in VMRCVM? Are they affiliated with SGU? Not to hijack, but how does the clinic selection process work?
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my in state is indeed VMRCVM, although I'd be happy with any of the "local" schools (i.e. NC State, The OSU, Penn).

I'm not sure how selection works, but i think its based on GPA and application to your top 3 schools and then you're matched to hopefully one of the three (otherwise you placed elsewhere)

does anyone not sacrifice their sanity for vet school? if so, PLEASE share your secret! 😉
 
I feel fairly sane. 😉

I'm 7 hours away from my boyfriend and family, which sucks, but is probably for the best.

Other than that, I'm pretty lucky and haven't had to do without much. 🙂
 
I know the hardest thing for me will be leaving my boyfriend of 4.5 years 🙁
 
Not exactly a *for* vet school sacrifice, but . . . I gave up an undergrad institution that I really wanted to go to (as in, was convinced I was going there since I was 2 years old, already had their t-shirts, had visited every summer for years) because I knew that it would be almost impossible to manage that kind of debt and vet school debt. Fortunately I had other good options and I loved where I eventually ended up, but that still stings a little.
 
ugh. Well, besides my sanity -

Full time job, a couple friendships (for the best though - you find out who your true friends are when they stick around even though you have so much on your plate!), time with my hubby, my fitness level (really a problem - I'm frightened by how little I can do now!).....

It's all worth it but I do need to prioritize my fitness a little higher on the list. It's been a little embarrassing to return to work and be barely able to lift a dog onto the treatment table!
 
I too gave up the undergrad institution of my dreams for two years to take advantage of free tuition freshman and sophomore years at a community college.

Currently, I have to leave behind my 7 year old Golden Retriever and my two horses while I'm at vet school. They live at home with my parents. They're only an hour and a half away but I haven't ridden a horse in like four months and that kills me.
 
I'm not a vet student (yet! Hopefully by Fall 2012 I will be), but as far as sacrifices go BEFORE I even get to vet school: independence - had to move home in order to afford returning to school let alone vet school debt - this one was hard since I was living on my own for 8 years...

job as a vet tech at a great animal hospital, a relationship with my ex-bf and hopes of building a life with a family and kids...

But I do still have my dog who will follow me wherever I go... I am so happy that he is my little coat tail chasing me around everywhere I go (even if he is 60 lbs)
 
I have a while before I start applying but I will be starting with the sacrifices before then🙁. My husband is in the military in a commissioning program and after he graduates next year he will be going back east for training. Since I will be >1 year from graduating I will be staying here in CO with our 3 dogs. Unfortunately we have no idea where he will be permanently stationed after flight school. So I'm going to be sacrificing living with my husband for 5 years, more if I don't get in the first try (which I'm not counting on). Not to mention my sanity, sleep, family etc... But thankfully he is extremely supportive and we both agree that it will all be worth it!
 
cowgirla said:
My sacrifice: Having to live in freaking Oklahoma for four years.
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Hahah! That made me laugh. Definitely a sacrifice right there. I'm really hoping I won't need to leave California.
 
LDConsidering said:
I have a while before I start applying but I will be starting with the sacrifices before then🙁. My husband is in the military in a commissioning program and after he graduates next year he will be going back east for training. Since I will be >1 year from graduating I will be staying here in CO with our 3 dogs. Unfortunately we have no idea where he will be permanently stationed after flight school. So I'm going to be sacrificing living with my husband for 5 years, more if I don't get in the first try (which I'm not counting on). Not to mention my sanity, sleep, family etc... But thankfully he is extremely supportive and we both agree that it will all be worth it!
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My husband is a lobbyist, so his life is in DC. If I get into school, I'll have to move 4hrs away for 4 years, which will really suck!
 
It feels kind of silly to say it, but my big sacrifice was giving up working full time (any job, not just vet tech...). I'm not a sit at a desk kind of person, so school is a particular kind of torture for me, even though I like learning. One of these days I'm going to lobby for an apprenticeship style vet school that involves minimal to no class room time. ><

I also gave up spare time to spend with extended family and friends, and I don't get to spend nearly as much time with my husband as I used to.
 
Mine are similar to everyone else's - nine hours from family; nine hours from my boy (but he'll be moving down in July!); leaving two senior dogs (but have since added a third here in NC) and an awesome job; too much debt to even think about; lots of sleep, movies, and books that I no longer have time to squeeze into my days. But it will all be worth it in the end!
 
Thylacine said:
Hahah! That made me laugh. Definitely a sacrifice right there. I'm really hoping I won't need to leave California.
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I can second that. I'm a Texas resident that came up to Oklahoma for undergraduate. I applied to the OSU vet school for a local option, since I didn't meet Texas A&M's requirements by about 2-3 Biochem hours that wasn't built into my degree and I didn't want to squeeze in another extra class....

I'm obviously not in vet school yet, but I will potentially have to make the boyfriend or school choice as well as moving away from all of my family and friends.
 
Never been to Oklahoma (though I love the musical), but I'm not a particular fan of California....to each her own (I'm from New Jork, New Jersey/New York...I know, lots of New Jersey jokes out there).
 
Other than the politics, I like living in Oklahoma. So much cheaper and most of the people are super friendly. I am sacrificing starting a family when I want to. Everyone who knows me knows how baby crazy I am. It sucks to have to wait but I know it will be worth it.
 
Living in PEI. Which is a two-fold sacrifice for me. I just plain don't like it to begin with. But more importantly, I'm 5 hours away from my parents, neither of whom are very healthy. My mom has hearing and vision problems, and has been in and out of the hospital over the past few years due to on-going flare ups with her pancreas. On the bright side, she does have my step-dad to help her. My dad had a stroke last year and lives alone. He's on a host of medications to control his blood pressure, and he's got limited use of his left arm and left leg. My mom helps him out, she just lives down the road, but I always worry he'll fall and injure himself and have no way to contact anybody. 🙁 If he falls, it's usually at night when he's tired so his balance isn't as good. Mom would have no way to know about that until sometime the next day.
 
Coquette22 said:
Living in PEI. Which is a two-fold sacrifice for me. I just plain don't like it to begin with. But more importantly, I'm 5 hours away from my parents, neither of whom are very healthy. My mom has hearing and vision problems, and has been in and out of the hospital over the past few years due to on-going flare ups with her pancreas. On the bright side, she does have my step-dad to help her. My dad had a stroke last year and lives alone. He's on a host of medications to control his blood pressure, and he's got limited use of his left arm and left leg. My mom helps him out, she just lives down the road, but I always worry he'll fall and injure himself and have no way to contact anybody. 🙁 If he falls, it's usually at night when he's tired so his balance isn't as good. Mom would have no way to know about that until sometime the next day.
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*Hugs* I'm sorry, that sounds rough and stressful for you. I can empathize with you because of a similar situation with my Nana, I live really far from her and I'm always afraid something will happen and I won't be able to go home. I hope it gets easier for you to deal with, I know living in a place you dislike doesn't help either. Just remember that before you know it you will be a DVM and it will have been worth it! Hang in there! 🙂
 
Coquette22 said:
Living in PEI. Which is a two-fold sacrifice for me. I just plain don't like it to begin with. But more importantly, I'm 5 hours away from my parents, neither of whom are very healthy. My mom has hearing and vision problems, and has been in and out of the hospital over the past few years due to on-going flare ups with her pancreas. On the bright side, she does have my step-dad to help her. My dad had a stroke last year and lives alone. He's on a host of medications to control his blood pressure, and he's got limited use of his left arm and left leg. My mom helps him out, she just lives down the road, but I always worry he'll fall and injure himself and have no way to contact anybody. 🙁 If he falls, it's usually at night when he's tired so his balance isn't as good. Mom would have no way to know about that until sometime the next day.
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Can you get your Dad one of the medical alert bracelets, or something that will let him call for help if he falls? We got one for my grandmother years ago after she fell and broke her arm outside, and she was out there for hours before a neighbor saw her.... 85 year old women should not try to shovel 2 feet of snow off their driveways.
 
cowgirla said:
Can you get your Dad one of the medical alert bracelets, or something that will let him call for help if he falls? We got one for my grandmother years ago after she fell and broke her arm outside, and she was out there for hours before a neighbor saw her.... 85 year old women should not try to shovel 2 feet of snow off their driveways.
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That is a really good idea, definitely will help with peace of mind! Cowgirl, that is scary what happened to your grandmother. That being said I really hope to be stubborn and sassy as an old woman!
 
cowgirla said:
Can you get your Dad one of the medical alert bracelets, or something that will let him call for help if he falls? We got one for my grandmother years ago after she fell and broke her arm outside, and she was out there for hours before a neighbor saw her.... 85 year old women should not try to shovel 2 feet of snow off their driveways.
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We got one for both of my Grandparents (the LifeAlert necklaces)!
However, the stubborn ole Irish folk they are, even when they fall they don't push the button... they try to help each other up and then the other one falls.
They do this twice a week and end up all bruised instead of calling their sons that live 5 seconds away :idea:, or pushing the damn buttons lol... silly silly.
But it is still comforting for when they really do need help one day!
 
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cowgirla said:
85 year old women should not try to shovel 2 feet of snow off their driveways.
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My other grandmother did the exact same thing (at 94 years old) and after her hip replacement from that accident, decided to try it again lol... "only" broke her collarbone that time!... bless her heart. 😍
 
I will be sacrificing:
- Lots of money :scared:
- My fertile years :laugh: (I'll be 30 when/if I graduate vet school) 😳
- My boyfriend of 4 years (Although he will be joining me a year later when he graduates)
- Our plans to get married.😍
- My new year old mastiff/pit mix we adopted from a kill shelter a few months ago (THE sweetest thing in the ENTIRE world!)
- I am still deciding whether to bring my 7 year old boxer since I have never been away from her in my entire life, and she has been with me through the worst days of my life. I am planning on taking her with me wherever I go, but want to do what's best for her. Sitting at home waiting for me for 12 hours is wrong of me to put her through, but I am determined to have her by my side and will most likely kill myself to do what it takes 😍. I also feel bad taking her away from our new guy since they love each other so much.
-And most likely, part of my sanity. :scared:
But this is what I have wanted since I can remember, and I am sure one day I will look back and know it was all worth it! 😀
 
Emiloo4 said:
However, the stubborn ole Irish fold they are, even when they fall they don't push the button... they try to help each other up and then the other one falls.
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This is more or less what I foresee happening. Hell, when he falls, there's times he won't even call me from the living room to help him. Too stubborn for his own good! I will look into the Life Alert though, if only for my own piece of mind.
 
oxyjen said:
I'm not a vet student (yet! Hopefully by Fall 2012 I will be), but as far as sacrifices go BEFORE I even get to vet school: independence - had to move home in order to afford returning to school let alone vet school debt - this one was hard since I was living on my own for 8 years...

job as a vet tech at a great animal hospital, a relationship with my ex-bf and hopes of building a life with a family and kids...

But I do still have my dog who will follow me wherever I go... I am so happy that he is my little coat tail chasing me around everywhere I go (even if he is 60 lbs)
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:nod: similar circumstances. I took a minor detour from vet school and stumbled around for the past few months looking for the light switch. Now I'm living at home working a PT data entry job and reading textbooks. In retrospect, if I had been SET on the vet school track, I may have chosen alternative schooling with lower cost. after the shenanigans of living at home, I think I will miss my cat the most....

sympathies to everyone!
 
Not in Vet school yet, in the process of interviewing.
I am moving away from home for the first time to complete a Pre-prof Masters program this spring to try and improve my chances. I hate the idea of leaving my cats and my HORSE. I just want to take them all with me wherever I go. Ive never had to be without them for longer than a few days:scared: I have no idea where I might be living next year at this time......very stressful. Im leaving just to improve my chances, and what if its all for nothing? I mean, I know we are supposed to be all hopeful and positive, but this is my 3rd time applying.....Just to try and get into vet school, I have sacrificed soooooo much TIME!
 
I've definitely made sacrifices for vet school, it's to be expected. But by far the hardest one has been living six hours away from my husband. We've been married for almost 4 years, and I've lived in Davis while he's lived in L.A. for 2.5 years of that. I see him every 3-4 weeks. It's really hard, and sometimes it's awful because I miss him so much, but we know that the sacrifice is absolutely worth it. I'm going to be a doctor in 1.5 years (whoa) and couldn't have done it without his support!
 
jjohnston said:
I've definitely made sacrifices for vet school, it's to be expected. But by far the hardest one has been living six hours away from my husband. We've been married for almost 4 years, and I've lived in Davis while he's lived in L.A. for 2.5 years of that. I see him every 3-4 weeks. It's really hard, and sometimes it's awful because I miss him so much, but we know that the sacrifice is absolutely worth it. I'm going to be a doctor in 1.5 years (whoa) and couldn't have done it without his support!
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I considered that "sacrifice", but decided it was too much for us. Props to you for making it work!
 
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