Striking a balance for the sake of mental wellness
The University of Guelph is made up of seven awesome colleges, the collection of which has helped make our school one of the most comprehensive and diverse in the province. Roughly a month ago, I began my journey at ‘the one across the street,’ also known as the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Established in 1862, and officially situated in Guelph by 1922, the OVC is the only vet school in Ontario, and one of only five in all of Canada.
As with many of my colleagues, making it to OVC has been a setback-riddled endeavour.It is no secret that admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is highly competitive.The pressure to achieve sky-high grades while also building connections, accumulating several hours of experience, and maintaining some semblance of a personal life can often take its toll on aspiring veterinarians.
Since my first year of undergrad, I have indulged in the completely non-vet-school-related practice of writing pieces for The Ontarion. I think it is crucial for students, regardless of discipline, to have avenues of release that are not directly related to their school or work obligations. It is important that everyone have the opportunity to engage in activities that are rooted in desire, rather than need.
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Admittedly, maintaining said work-life balance is more difficult than it sounds for the majority of us. Yet the difficult path that has led me to this next chapter of realizing my dream has served as a stark reminder that one’s mental and physical health are never a sacrifice one should be willing to make.
As humans, we often find ourselves caught in a complicated web of doing what makes us happy, but enduring many unhealthy expectations to reach that point.I am a firm believer that with the right support, a fragile harmony can be struck.
In the coming months, I will be using this medium to ‘ruminate’ on life as a vet student. I will discuss some of the barriers to admission, the challenges of the intense DVM program, and the endless aspects of practice that make this job so much more than “playing with puppies and kittens all day.” I am so excited to embark on this journey — and hope you will find it interesting to ride along with me.
Happy petting!
Photo by Alora Griffiths/The Ontarion