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I really want to be a veterinarian, but I struggle a lot with science and math so can anyone give me advice on how to tackle this on.
I love animals, but I hate science and math. I am bad at both and have not had good teachers to help me with my trouble in it. I don't want this to stop me from pursuing my dream and making me regret not trying so is there anyone who has been in the same boat as me? I am very intimidated because in the interviews I've seen about vets, they all had a passion for science which made veterinary school more interesting for them. #veterinarian #career #animals #veterinary #science
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7 answers
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
I offer you 2 suggestions:
1. If possible see if you can spend some time (when appropriate with social distancing etc. in place) or even interview a veterinarian to find out what a day in the life is like and get a better idea about how those subjects you are struggling with factor into the typical day
2. The way out is through. If you determine that this is the path to follow, the best way through it is the hard work to get good at the things you don't like or are not strongest in yet. I don't mean to sound tone deaf because I can completely identify. I did not put in the time when I was younger to get better at the subjects that gave me trouble and it limited my options when I was deciding on a career path. Take the time now to see how you can get better at those subjects. In addition to working with your teachers, also spend some time online searching how you can improve your understanding or find a tutor.
Hope that helps and all the best as you pursue this path! Put in the hard work and you will do great.
1. If possible see if you can spend some time (when appropriate with social distancing etc. in place) or even interview a veterinarian to find out what a day in the life is like and get a better idea about how those subjects you are struggling with factor into the typical day
2. The way out is through. If you determine that this is the path to follow, the best way through it is the hard work to get good at the things you don't like or are not strongest in yet. I don't mean to sound tone deaf because I can completely identify. I did not put in the time when I was younger to get better at the subjects that gave me trouble and it limited my options when I was deciding on a career path. Take the time now to see how you can get better at those subjects. In addition to working with your teachers, also spend some time online searching how you can improve your understanding or find a tutor.
Hope that helps and all the best as you pursue this path! Put in the hard work and you will do great.
Thank you! My counselor gave me the same advice this morning via zoom so I think it must be a sign. I will do my best!
diety
You've got this!!
Jonathan Keeth
Updated
Allison’s Answer
If your dream is to be a vet and you struggle with your math and science classes, I'd suggest that you check out resources outside of school to see if the subjects do actually interest you and you're just not clicking with your teachers for whatever reason. Find some YouTube videos of veterinarians doing their work or any vet school lectures that might be available, or check out books / articles about veterinary science from your library or online.
If math and science do still trip you up, take some time to reflect and consider: is your dream of being a vet worth going through multiple degrees' worth of math and science classes (think mental energy, time, money)? If not, there are lots of other ways to work with animals! You could consider career paths as an animal behaviorist or animal trainer, working in zoos or animal shelters, designing or selling products for animals and animal lovers, and more.
If math and science do still trip you up, take some time to reflect and consider: is your dream of being a vet worth going through multiple degrees' worth of math and science classes (think mental energy, time, money)? If not, there are lots of other ways to work with animals! You could consider career paths as an animal behaviorist or animal trainer, working in zoos or animal shelters, designing or selling products for animals and animal lovers, and more.
Thank you!
diety
Updated
Nar’s Answer
Diety,
Passion is a very critical component for success in any field. Your love for animals can translate into a good veterinarian and I would like to suggest the below steps for you to realize your dream.
1- Consciously try and remove the dislike you think you have for Science and Mathematics. It is about the experiences that lead us to think we like/dislike something.
2- Start with small lessons in biology and environment which will enhance, motivate and ultimately change your attitude towards science.
3- Math is not a big/great requirement for Veterinary science unless you want pursue your career beyond a Bachelor/ Masters Degree.
4- Look for online lessons which are readily available on the internet.
5- Start small and look out for additional lessons as you feel comfortable.
6- Start watching videos on Science, more specifically biological sciences and I am sure you'll start developing attitude and inclination towards science
7- Look out for a science student who can be a mentor/guide for you
8- Read about Stephen Hawking (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking) for motivation
And finally I will say " The Day Will Dawn - Hold Thy Faith Firm " - Rabindranath Tagore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabindranath_Tagore) and you will succeed and realize your dream!
Good Luck!
Passion is a very critical component for success in any field. Your love for animals can translate into a good veterinarian and I would like to suggest the below steps for you to realize your dream.
1- Consciously try and remove the dislike you think you have for Science and Mathematics. It is about the experiences that lead us to think we like/dislike something.
2- Start with small lessons in biology and environment which will enhance, motivate and ultimately change your attitude towards science.
3- Math is not a big/great requirement for Veterinary science unless you want pursue your career beyond a Bachelor/ Masters Degree.
4- Look for online lessons which are readily available on the internet.
5- Start small and look out for additional lessons as you feel comfortable.
6- Start watching videos on Science, more specifically biological sciences and I am sure you'll start developing attitude and inclination towards science
7- Look out for a science student who can be a mentor/guide for you
8- Read about Stephen Hawking (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking) for motivation
And finally I will say " The Day Will Dawn - Hold Thy Faith Firm " - Rabindranath Tagore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabindranath_Tagore) and you will succeed and realize your dream!
Good Luck!
Wow these are some really good steps to try and think about! Thank you so much. I have never thought about looking at science videos outside of class for fun so I will definitely try this.
diety
Updated
Feren’s Answer
You definitely will be using science and math in veterinary medicine. Whether it be the anatomy of an animal or the dosage of a medication. To get to be a veterinarian, you must go through several math and science classes at the college and doctorate level.
If you don't like math and science, but you want to work with animals, perhaps a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician might be a better roll. These positions still work with animals, but the overall decisions are done by the leading veterinarian.
If you don't like math and science, but you want to work with animals, perhaps a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician might be a better roll. These positions still work with animals, but the overall decisions are done by the leading veterinarian.
Thank you! I will look more into those roles.
diety
Updated
Erin’s Answer
This is a great question! First of all, it would be helpful to think about why you want to be a veterinarian. What about the job interests you? This is key to figuring out what path to take. As Feren mentioned, the job requires an understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts. If animals are your passion and you want to help them, there are many other jobs out there besides veterinarian. You could run an animal rescue organization, for example. If, on the other hand, you really are interested in the anatomy and the medicine, then perhaps a vet is the right job for you. See if you can talk with a vet to learn more about the position and get a better idea if it would be a good fit. You could also get a part-time job as an office assistant in a vet office to observe the day-to-day responsibilities of the different types of veterinary-related positions.
Don't give up your dream - just do some research and fact-finding to determine if the actual job of vet is really your dream or if your dream is a job working with animals but involves using skills more aligned with what you feel your strengths are. If you truly feel that the job of vet is what you want, then get a math and science tutor and go for it.
Don't give up your dream - just do some research and fact-finding to determine if the actual job of vet is really your dream or if your dream is a job working with animals but involves using skills more aligned with what you feel your strengths are. If you truly feel that the job of vet is what you want, then get a math and science tutor and go for it.
Thank you so much! I will keep this in mind!
diety
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Diety! I relate so well to what you are saying. I use to struggle so much in math and science, and use to be very scared of both subjects. Today however I am a tutor for chem/bio and psychological statistics along with aspiring to be a physician. I even took my MCAT (medical college admission exam) without a calculator and yes I needed to solve problems that were math related! The point is to never give up and to keep working hard. When I was in high school and I wanted to pursue the path of medicine I devoted my time to studying because I knew that math and science was important to this field. I know sometimes it may seem difficult to reach out to teachers and receive their help but if you show dedication you are definitely going to catch their attention. At the end of high school I took AP Bio and I was still scared about the sciences especially an advanced course that covered college work, but I kept studying and kept reaching out to my teacher and asking questions even when I felt uncomfortable or afraid. It's perfectly normal. At the end though I did a great presentation for a topic on the angiotensin system which my teacher loved and she even wrote in my yearbook how dedicated I was.
The passion about science comes with time, sometimes you need to research and you can find a field of science that really makes you interested. For example, you can love anatomy and be okay with chemistry. The point is to appreciate each science as they all relate but don't worry about having a passion for each of them. I love chemistry/biology, the truth is though I struggled with physics, but I definitely understand it's work in the medical field therefore I appreciate the subject as well. I don't know how old you are but if you're still in high school keep working hard and try to reach out to your teachers! In high school there was not tutoring programs so most of my help came from my teachers and my best friend who studied with me in AP Bio. If you can find a good group of friends or even one that will study with you and you can support each other that will help greatly. Try to volunteer as well, especially with animals in nearby shelters if you can! Get to know the practical side of your passion, because once that happens the academic side will seem easier. Once you get to college there will be more help, like tutoring services free of charge for your classes, in addition you are matched with your adviser who helps you out in picking courses and keeping you on your path. I don't know this for vet school so you may want to double check, but for medical school you can be any major and take prerequisites to gain admissions to a medical college, instead of the traditional hard sciences. For example I was a psychology major because I love it and there is so much more to be explored but I took many prereqs for medical school and even gained a minor in chemistry.
That being said don't give up, every field has it's own obstacles and if you really are passionate and definitely decide this is meant for you just keep working hard, staying focused and reaching out for help! Best of luck!
The passion about science comes with time, sometimes you need to research and you can find a field of science that really makes you interested. For example, you can love anatomy and be okay with chemistry. The point is to appreciate each science as they all relate but don't worry about having a passion for each of them. I love chemistry/biology, the truth is though I struggled with physics, but I definitely understand it's work in the medical field therefore I appreciate the subject as well. I don't know how old you are but if you're still in high school keep working hard and try to reach out to your teachers! In high school there was not tutoring programs so most of my help came from my teachers and my best friend who studied with me in AP Bio. If you can find a good group of friends or even one that will study with you and you can support each other that will help greatly. Try to volunteer as well, especially with animals in nearby shelters if you can! Get to know the practical side of your passion, because once that happens the academic side will seem easier. Once you get to college there will be more help, like tutoring services free of charge for your classes, in addition you are matched with your adviser who helps you out in picking courses and keeping you on your path. I don't know this for vet school so you may want to double check, but for medical school you can be any major and take prerequisites to gain admissions to a medical college, instead of the traditional hard sciences. For example I was a psychology major because I love it and there is so much more to be explored but I took many prereqs for medical school and even gained a minor in chemistry.
That being said don't give up, every field has it's own obstacles and if you really are passionate and definitely decide this is meant for you just keep working hard, staying focused and reaching out for help! Best of luck!
Thank you for this wonderful advice! I am 19 and have just finished my first undergrad year at UCI, so I have had time to explore a bit since I went in as undeclared. I am going as undeclared second year so I still have much to explore, but psychological sciences have caught my interest as of now.
diety
That's excellent! I'm sure you will do well! Keep up the good work!
Yasemin G.
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
As someone in high school who thought they were terrible at math and was never going to be good at it, I wanted to answer this question. I think that you can be good at math, you just need to practice and keep at it. Try not to learn by rote but try for understanding. Also there is a lot of books and Youtube videos to walk you through concepts.
Thank you!
diety