With Mother’s Day just passed, so many of us were packing our suitcases and heading home for the weekend (I personally didn’t tell my mam I was going home; the surprise on her face just can’t be beaten!!). So after this special weekend, it only seems right that I dedicate my blog post to the people behind the vet student: our family, friends, neighbours, and anybody who has given us a helping hand along the way to becoming a vet.
Just like Gypsy and Lucy Lamb have each other in that gorgeous picture at the top (I can’t take the credit- my grandad managed to snap that at just the right moment!!), I have always been super lucky and had an incredible support network at home. Back when I was finishing A levels, applying to vet school was one of the toughest things I had ever gone through: there was an incredible amount of stress that went with preparing for really tough interviews, making sure you were up to speed with topical vetty issues, and of course aiming for those As and A*s at the same time. If that wasn’t enough to wear me down, my vet school interviews and online surveys just seemed to be resulting in rejection after rejection; it’s enough to make anybody lose all motivation! However, I had the most incredible people around me: my mum was never short of encouraging words or hugs; my dad, by nature is just one of the most calming people I’ve ever come across and still never fails to make me feel less stressed; my grandma and grandad always made me feel motivated when I’d just about given up; in fact my whole family proved what I already knew- that I am incredibly lucky to have them!
Through the good news and bad news, I have found that vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and vet students are the most supportive group of people imaginable! In previous posts, I’ve already mentioned the amazing group of North East vet students who I’m proud and lucky to call friends. This incredible bunch of people know and understand exactly what I’m going through and are always keen to help if they can. And they’re not the only ones! My housemates are some of my absolute all time favourite people, who I would trust with my life as well, which just goes to show how brilliant vet students are at helping each other out! Whatever stage of training, application or qualification you’re at, you find yourself being a member of a huge, outstanding, loving support network. Ed Vet, an organisation dedicated to helping aspiring vet students, serves as the best testament to this, and I am incredibly proud to write blog posts for them and contribute in a small way.
In short, vet school and the vet school application process is super tough, but the most important thing to remember is that nobody is doing this alone: we are all here for each other and help is never further than a text message away!
Barking Mad 