One of the most difficult aspects of being a veterinary student is trying to explain why you haven’t been in touch. It is a huge challenge to have your family understand why you have become distant and why you rarely come home. I’ve heard plenty of stories of other classmates getting frustrated because their families simply did not understand how taxing our program is.
I’m quite fortunate to have a loving and supportive family that truly understand the struggles I face on a day to day basis. While my siblings may not be veterinary students, all of them have achieved various degrees of higher education. Within the next couple years, three of us will officially be doctors. My siblings understand the stress, struggle, and sacrifice that comes along with graduate school. We’re all busy in our own ways and understand that at this point in life, school and work have to come first. They understand that at certain times family is not our number one priority.
I am so grateful to be surrounded by an amazing family that has never pressured me to be more present. I cannot express how guilty I have felt when I realize how out of touch I have been. I have forgotten birthdays, missed holidays, and failed to return phone calls. I have apologized time and time again only for them to be completely empathetic. They have been so understanding during the past two years of my veterinary school education. I am often left wondering how I have been so lucky to have a family like mine.
