Sorry that this is long guys...
I am in my second year of college at the UO. I am a biology major with plans to go to vet school. I am getting soooo overwhelmed and starting to feel like I'm not going to make it. From what I've been told/what I have researched, you pretty much have no chance of getting into vet school with a GPA lower than 3.2. 3.6 is the average for admitted students. They also want you to have vet experience (volunteering, internship, etc.)

Right now, I have a 3.5 gpa. I am in two science classes and a math class right now, plus two labs that are required. I am so stressed and in over my head, I just don't know what to do. I work 22 hours per week because I have to pay my own bills, and I don't qualify for any financial aid except loans. Neither of my parents are able to help me out, because my mom lives in Arizona and my dad has 5 other kids he has to support (I am the oldest).

I just can't seem to find time for myself, and whenever I try to relax all I can think about is the mountain of work I need to do. I go to class every day and take notes, and I do the homework. I just don't have time to study more than the minimum, which I have found out isn't working. For example, I took a chemistry midterm last week that I felt I was prepared for.. I had studied, reviewed all of the concepts, and did practice problems. I ended up with a D . I think I am just not retaining the information because there is so much to do. Today I had a pop quiz in my math class, and I was only able to answer 2 out of 12 questions.

I'm just not sure if cutting down my work hours is possible without taking out a loan to cover my expenses- but I always hear how bad it is to have student debt. Ugh! Sorry for the rant guys, I just feel buried and I don't know what to do! For anyone who is in college or has finished college, did you find a way to balance all of the responsibilities? Did you have to take out loans? Thanks

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Thanks LS!

Hey boo, I'm in my fourth year of university and I'm going to tell you what I learned in my second year.

I too have to work I don't qualify for financial aid so to cut down my hours simply isn't an option. But do you want to know what is an option? Cutting down your school load.

It was a really tough choice for me to make. but I told myself, I'm going to try it for 1 semester and just one class less made a huge difference in my grades and in my life. I was able to enjoy being in university, and my life. It meant that my life was my own again while still working towards my goals.

You are only here once, I think that you should think about cutting one or two classes. You will be able to focus and in school much like life it is quality not quantity that matters most. You are going to have to do all those volunteer hours too, so best make room and spread them out over the remaining years your in university. Grad schools like length of time over anything else.

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ps don't give up if your doing your best that is all anyone can ask. Work smart not just hard.

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Thanks! I have considered cutting out a class, but unfortunately most of my classes are co-requesites of each other( I have to take them all at the same time). I could take summer classes though when I can, to lighten my load during the regular school year.

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Thanks LS!

That's a great option

That blows that you have to take them all at the same time but good luck the rest of the year

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yes! go to school all year around; don't take Summers off. Also, cut the work hours and take
a loan for now. Is your qualification for student aid based on the previous year's income?
If so, let yourself have a lower income year and qualify for that Student Aid, Grant, or whatever.
Mainly, stick with it! You will get there

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"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." - Edith Wharton

I owuld take the loan to your going to be a vet sweetness!!

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Hey,

I've done the full time college thing and survived. I went to a 4 year, very challenging private college, and was a pre-vet Animal Science major with a Chemistry minor. Finished in 4 years. I worked in the computer lab and used my work hours as study hours. I took some summer classes as well, organic chem I and II were taken back to back over one summer. I wouldn't recommend that, it was crazy hard! I also took a Lit class over the summer and a history class over the summer. But even taking those summer classes I never took less than 15 hours during fall and spring semesters.

I didn't worry too much about vet experience, I used my animal science classes as my experience and worked the summer before applying to vet school. I did get accepted.

I know how you feel though. I am currently in Physician Assistant school. There are days were I feel like I am barely treading water enough to keep my head above the surface. But keep in mind that grad schools like vet school don't let you pick and choose what classes you take and when. They choose your schedule for you and you usually carry about 18-21 hours at a time. There really isn't time to work in grad school so most people take out loans for school as well as loans to live on. Unless your parents are paying for everything or you are independently wealthy you are going to have student loans when you graduate, no real way around it. You want to minimize the loans but know you will have them.

Do you have any scholarships or grants? My advice would be to go to the schools money people and talk to them about seeking scholarships, grants, etc. There are lots out there and they should be willing to help you find some. If you are in a public school there is no reason you shouldn't get almost all of it paid for, especially with such a high GPA. No reason for loans yet for school, that means you could take out a small loan for living allowing you to cut your working, giving you more time for studying and relaxing.

Feel free to PM me if you would like or need to vent. I feel your pain!!!

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