Post by AJ on Jun 3, 2014 14:39:09 GMT -5
Whether this is your first, second, third or even last try...please don't give up! I have been in your shoes! I would argue that most of us will feel that there is nothing else we want to do in this world, after all we have been working hard to achieve one dream "becoming a vet", but I want to tell you, even if you didn't get in, don't give up your dream...sometimes we get too focused on working towards achieving that dream, but we loose sight of other great opportunities that could be as rewarding.
Let me share a little bit of my story...I hope that after you read it you will be inspired to continue, to live your dream! For almost 30 years I have known that I wanted to be a vet. When I finished high school in my home country (I wasn't born here) I enrolled in vet school and did 2 years, 2 wonderful years. For many reasons, including marrying the love of my life and having my first son we moved to Canada. I worked different jobs, but always kept in mind my goal...to become a vet! When my kids were old enough to go to school I went back to University and started getting prepared to apply to OVC (needless to say what that involves! you all know pretty well). I applied twice as an undergrad and didn't get in. So I FULLY understand what you are going thru...it was devastating...I couldn't imagine what else I could do in life...all I ever wanted was to become a vet...I felt as if I was being denied of my own identity! But I have a family to look after and 2 children to inspire and guide, failure was not an option. I have always told my kids "DREAMS CAN ALWAYS BE ACHIEVED IF YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH, THE ONLY THING THAT SEPARATES YOU FROM YOUR DREAM IS YOURSELF, SO NEVER STOP DREAMING", but at this point I was even doubting what I kept telling them! But I had a professor that kept telling me to go to grad school, he even had a colleague contacting me to join that lab; and I had volunteered at a research location so I felt that I would give it a try. I enrolled in grad school...
Today I can tell you that I couldn't be happier that things worked out the way they did...the last 2 years of my life have been the most rewarding years of my entire life (and I'm old...)! And I was able to come to the conclusion that I DID ACHIEVE MY DREAM! I wanted to become a vet to make a difference, to touch people and animal lives alike, to improve animals' health...and I have done it. Sure I don't have a DVM tittle, but I am happy for the changes I've made to improve animals' health in my lab, I am happy for the grad and undergrad lives I've touched...I am happy because one way or another I am making a difference! I have applied again, but this time will be different. This will be my last try and if I don't get in I have no regrets and I will continue to live my dream of improving animals' health and touching peoples lives...even if I have to do it travelling on a different path.
I know what you feel, I've been there...but don't give up! Don't get too focused on your dream that you close your mind to other wonderful opportunities. Ask yourself, why do you want to be a vet? Find what is it about being a vet that is so important for you, and follow that dream...you might not get a DVM tittle, but I am sure you can accomplish your goal in a different way! Be that person you've been dreaming about forever...you can do it!
ps: Sorry for the long post
Let me share a little bit of my story...I hope that after you read it you will be inspired to continue, to live your dream! For almost 30 years I have known that I wanted to be a vet. When I finished high school in my home country (I wasn't born here) I enrolled in vet school and did 2 years, 2 wonderful years. For many reasons, including marrying the love of my life and having my first son we moved to Canada. I worked different jobs, but always kept in mind my goal...to become a vet! When my kids were old enough to go to school I went back to University and started getting prepared to apply to OVC (needless to say what that involves! you all know pretty well). I applied twice as an undergrad and didn't get in. So I FULLY understand what you are going thru...it was devastating...I couldn't imagine what else I could do in life...all I ever wanted was to become a vet...I felt as if I was being denied of my own identity! But I have a family to look after and 2 children to inspire and guide, failure was not an option. I have always told my kids "DREAMS CAN ALWAYS BE ACHIEVED IF YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH, THE ONLY THING THAT SEPARATES YOU FROM YOUR DREAM IS YOURSELF, SO NEVER STOP DREAMING", but at this point I was even doubting what I kept telling them! But I had a professor that kept telling me to go to grad school, he even had a colleague contacting me to join that lab; and I had volunteered at a research location so I felt that I would give it a try. I enrolled in grad school...
Today I can tell you that I couldn't be happier that things worked out the way they did...the last 2 years of my life have been the most rewarding years of my entire life (and I'm old...)! And I was able to come to the conclusion that I DID ACHIEVE MY DREAM! I wanted to become a vet to make a difference, to touch people and animal lives alike, to improve animals' health...and I have done it. Sure I don't have a DVM tittle, but I am happy for the changes I've made to improve animals' health in my lab, I am happy for the grad and undergrad lives I've touched...I am happy because one way or another I am making a difference! I have applied again, but this time will be different. This will be my last try and if I don't get in I have no regrets and I will continue to live my dream of improving animals' health and touching peoples lives...even if I have to do it travelling on a different path.
I know what you feel, I've been there...but don't give up! Don't get too focused on your dream that you close your mind to other wonderful opportunities. Ask yourself, why do you want to be a vet? Find what is it about being a vet that is so important for you, and follow that dream...you might not get a DVM tittle, but I am sure you can accomplish your goal in a different way! Be that person you've been dreaming about forever...you can do it!
ps: Sorry for the long post
