Changing Careers

FairyDogMother...

You're only 36????? You're just a baby!!!!

I really can't speak to the issues of chemo brain on studies, but I can tell you that I was a University counselor for many, many years, and my absolute favorite students were the Reentry students. They were also the favorites of the professors, as they were the students who WANTED to be there.

My youngest students were 17; my oldest student was 93. One of my students got a double major in Sociology and Gerontology at the age of 82. She'd been in college before WWII and had to go to work as Rosie the Riveter to support her family. She always wanted to finish.

My advice? Do your research. If you have a bachelors degree, what will it take to get into Veterinary school? If you don't have a degree yet, where can you get started? Are there Veterinary schools near you? If you need additional prep classes, can you take them at a community college?

Take a look at the course requirements. Think about spending at least three hours a day studying and doing homework for every hour you spend in class. Remember many classes have long lab hours required. Add in the fact that the best students usually get tutors for the most challenging classes.

Will you have to work to pay for your schooling? That is going to take away even more hours from your studies. If your grades are good, you can apply for scholarships. If your income is low, you can apply for grants and financial aid.

Do you really want to be a Veterinarian? Or do you just want to be in an environment where you help animals? Would a Vet Tech program give you as much satisfaction, but perhaps be less of a demand on your time and finances?

And if you are in the middle of active treatment, and this is something you really, really want to do, start small. Take one class. See how you do. Often, basic courses are offered online, allowing you to do the work at home, in your jammies.

Meet with advisors, take your transcripts, see what it would take. 

You don't have to make any decisions right away. But having more information can help you make definite plans for the future... especially since many schools have deadlines that are so far in advance.

Wishing you the best!

Good for you, FairyDogMother!

You have great preparation.... just be aware that GRE scores may not be valid after a certain number of years, and programs can require more recent scores. If you talk to an advisor and find that you need new scores, you can always get a prep-study book or online program and just see how you do...

Also - one of the things to remember is that our short-term memory often has to do with how much we want to remember something. If it's "Now why did I walk into this room?" eh, not so much. But if it's "I know there are often complications with the spleen in Golden Retrievers..." then it may be much easier to recall the information.

My opinion? Start small. Just see what's out there. Find out what's required. Talk to some advisors. Start weighing the pros and cons. Again, nothing has to be decided today.... but doing the preliminary research can help take your mind off BC and other assorted challenges.

I'd love to hear what you decide.... please keep me posted! PM me if you like...