Week 14 - Vet School Is Intense. Here’s How to Take Care of You Without Burning Out

Vet school asks a lot of you.

Your time.

Your energy.

Your emotions.

Your brain space.

And while you’re learning how to care for patients, it’s easy to forget that you are also a living, breathing system that needs maintenance. Stress isn’t a personal failure, it’s a predictable response to sustained pressure. The goal isn’t to eliminate stress (impossible), but to manage it before it manages you.

Let’s talk about what that actually looks like.

First Things First: You Don’t Have to Do Hard Things Alone

One of the quiet myths in veterinary medicine is that resilience means handling everything by yourself. It doesn’t.

If you’re struggling; emotionally, mentally, or even just feeling worn down, there are confidential, profession-specific resources designed exactly for people like you.

A Resource Worth Knowing About: Vets4Vets®

Vets4Vets®, run by the VIN Foundation, is a free and confidential support program for veterinarians and veterinary students. It connects you with trained peers and professionals who understand the realities of this field, because they live it too.

This isn’t therapy “lite,” and it’s not a hotline you call only at a breaking point. It’s a space to talk through stress, anxiety, burnout, grief, or anything that feels heavy before it spirals.

A good rule of thumb:

• If you wouldn’t ignore a medical issue in a patient, don’t ignore it in yourself.

• If you wouldn’t recommend self-treatment for surgery, don’t self-manage serious mental strain.

  
  

This resource exists so you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through hard seasons.

Bookmark it. Share it. Use it if you ever need it.

Why Stress Isn’t “Just Part of the Process”

Stress doesn’t just live in your head, it lives in your body.

Chronic stress keeps your nervous system on high alert. Over time, that constant “on” switch affects sleep, focus, digestion, immune health, and mood. You already know the science, your body wasn’t designed to stay in survival mode indefinitely.

The tricky part? Vet students are very good at pushing through discomfort.

That’s why stress management isn’t something you wait to deal with “after exams” or “after graduation.” It works best when it’s built into your routine, the same way studying or showing up to lab is.

Rethinking “Wellness” (It’s Not What Instagram Makes It Look Like)

Wellness doesn’t have to be aesthetic, expensive, or time-consuming.

Real wellness is simply anything that:

• Lowers your stress

• Helps your brain reset

• Leaves you feeling more functional afterward

  
  

That’s it.

A good wellness activity usually checks most of these boxes:

• Easy to start (no elaborate setup)

• Low or no cost

• Doesn’t depend on perfect timing or other people

• Can be done even when you’re tired

• Something you genuinely enjoy

If it drains your bank account, requires three schedules to align, or makes you feel worse afterward, it’s probably not serving its purpose.

Examples That Actually Fit a Vet Student Life

If you’re not sure where to start, here are ideas that work because they’re simple:

• Walking without headphones and letting your thoughts slow down

• Spending intentional time with an animal (no training goals, no productivity)

• Cooking one comforting meal at home

• Sitting in a library or quiet space just to read for pleasure

• Light movement like stretching, yoga, or an easy bike ride

• Journaling without structure, just dumping thoughts out of your head

• Doing something creative with zero pressure to be “good” at it

  
  

These aren’t hobbies you monetize. They’re not achievements. They’re reset buttons.

Why It Helps to Have Something That’s Just Yours

Here’s something most people don’t talk about until after graduation:

Your support system will change.

Classmates scatter. Schedules get heavier. Work relationships don’t always replace personal ones. If all of your stress relief depends on specific people being available, it can leave you stuck when life shifts.

That’s why it’s powerful to develop at least one stress-management habit that doesn’t rely on anyone else.

This doesn’t mean isolating yourself. It means knowing how to regulate your own stress when plans fall through, weather changes, or schedules clash.

Independence here isn’t loneliness, it’s stability.

Using Stress Relief as a Tool (Not an Afterthought)

One of the most effective ways to protect your mental health is to schedule relief before you’re overwhelmed.

Try this:

• Set a study block

• Plan a break you genuinely look forward to

• Commit to both

Example:“I’ll work for 90 minutes, then take a 30-minute walk.”

Your brain responds well to this structure. Anticipation alone can lower stress, and the break feels more rewarding because it’s intentional.

When you’re in that break:

• Silence notifications

• Don’t multitask

• Let your nervous system actually stand down

You’re not wasting time, you’re preserving it.

A Final Thought

Vet school will challenge you. That’s part of the journey.

But suffering in silence is not a requirement of the profession.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t make you weak, lazy, or less committed, it makes you sustainable. And sustainability is what allows good veterinarians to stay in the field long enough to make the impact they came here for.

Have a plan. Know your resources. Protect your energy like it matters, because it does.

You’re allowed to take care of yourself while you learn to care for others.