How do you plan to cope with the immense workload and expectations of attending veterinarian school?
Attending veterinarian school is a highly involved commitment, and the interviewers want evidence that you are ready to handle the expectations ahead. Not only will you be starting veterinarian school, but there is a chance you will be relocating to a new city to attend university. You may also have financial stressors on your mind as you enter this new commitment. Discuss in detail how you plan to remain emotionally grounded as you enter this challenging (yet, rewarding!) time in your life.
"I have formed a three-pronged plan to tackle the stressors that may occur during veterinarian school. These three approaches will address my academic stress, the emotional strain of adjusting to my new surroundings as I relocate, and the financial strain I will experience due to paying for university. For academic stress, I plan to create a study schedule that I will stick to closely. I will join study groups to gain a broader perspective from others, and I have made arrangements for a part-time tutor if needed. For the strain that will result from uprooting myself, I have planned to join a couple of university clubs to get to know other students and make new friends, avoiding feelings of loneliness. I also plan to Facetime my family every week to prevent myself from feeling homesick. I have come to terms with the financial expectations of becoming a veterinarian. I have created a solid financial plan to pay back my loans, and I enlisted a financial advisor to help me create a student budget that I will adhere to closely. I feel well-prepared to cope with and address the immense workload and other expectations ahead of me as a veterinary school student."
The interviewers want to hear that you understand the workload you will have and have ways of coping with stress and managing your time. Since you are required to complete the prerequisites for attending the University of Tennessee, you most likely understand heavy school workloads and have devised a plan that works for you. Discuss what has worked for you in the past.
