Can you become a vet if you’re bad at science or maths?

Is it possible to be a veterinary surgeon, vet nurse or veterinary technician if you are bad at math, chemistry or physics?

Its a good question- so let me tell you about my own experience, as well as sharing the results from a survey of some of my colleagues.

The veterinary profession is a science-based degree, so unfortunately maths, chemistry and physics are always going to be part of the curriculum. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t be a vet or RVN if these aren’t your strong subjects.

What it does mean, is that if you really want to be a vet or vet nurse, you’re going to have to embrace these subjects that you find challenging and difficult. You don’t have to like them, but you do eventually need to pass them with good enough grades to gain entry to a university or college position.

So, believe in yourself, and work on it.

If you find these subjects challenging, really try to work out why that is so you can fix it. For example, if its hard to understand the lessons, speak to your teacher and ask them to explain things in a different way. If you have difficulty concentrating on numbers, try studying in a silent place, with no distractions, perhaps in the morning when your mental energy is highest. Consider using flash cards, or youtube tutorials, or even a tutor to really hone the concepts that you struggle with. It will be difficult and frustrating, but don’t give up!

My Experience with Maths

I’m now a qualified veterinary surgeon, but let me tell you a story about my relationship with maths in high school.

I was never a big fan of maths, I found it pretty dull, but I never struggled as much in my life as in year 10 maths class (that’s the equivalent of the grade for 15 and 16 year olds for those of you who are not from Australia). I started the new school year with a new maths teacher, and even though my friends really liked him, I thought his lessons were strict and dull. He would explain things once, write an equation on the white-board, and then force us to sit in silence working with our textbooks for every lesson.

And I struggled! I kept getting thing wrong, and I couldn’t work out why. Eventually, I failed a major test, and the teacher called me out in front of the whole class and told me I’d be put into a lower class because of my grades. I was mortified. I cried a lot. But guess what happened? I moved to the lower class and I loved it! The teacher was great, the environment was friendly, and we worked as a team on the equations that I didn’t understand. And the very next exam we had- I actually got the best grade in the entire year group, even better than the top classes (take that Mr Knapp). So it goes to show, if you’re struggling with a subject that you really want to pass, its not because you’re not capable. You might just need to find another way to learn it!

The thing is, a lot of veterinary medicine is wrote learning. Its difficult, very time intensive, and no one likes having to spend hours learning textbooks full of information. But the students who get through and graduate aren’t necessarily the ones who are naturally gifted- rather, successful vet students are patient, dedicated, and have the mental strength to make themselves learn things that they find difficult!

So if anything, overcoming your dislike or maths or physics at a highschool or undergraduate level will set you up to be a better vet or nurse student that those who breeze through!

The Survey

I put the question to the instagram veterinary community.

Of 158 responders, 96% of veterinary professionals said that yes, you can still be a vet if you’re bad at maths or physics!

They even shared some tips on how to overcome the challenge of learning things you think you’re bad at!

Many responders admitting to have failed a test or struggled with science in school, then gone on to have great careers. “I have dyscalculia, I can’t do maths and barely managed chemistry. I’m a final year vet student now, and it never held me back”.

Many responders said finding a passionate teacher or the right tutor really helped them, with one saying “I’m an RVN and vet student who hated and failed maths until I had the right tutor!”

Some responders shared that consistent study and repetition is what got them through. A vet from the US says “I took math and physics alone at different times so there were no distractions and I had pure focus”

And while you will need to use maths at work as a vet or vet nurse, many reponders said they found ways to make it easy- either by keeping notebooks with the calculations that they need handy, using calculators, and working as a team with their colleagues.

One vet nurse said “people think they are bad at maths from experience in school, but the maths involved in nursing is different”.

So, can you become a vet or vet nurse if you don’t like maths or physics? The answer is a resounding Yes! But it does mean you’re going to have to work a little harder to ace those subjects, and that will make you a better student overall!

Further Information

I hope this post answered your question, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me anytime.

Or, head back to the homepage to read other common questions students have in the “Can I be a vet if…?” series!