Veterinary school can be demanding in ways that aren’t always visible from the outside. Understanding how stress presents in students — and knowing how to respond — is one of the most meaningful things a support network can do.
Recognizing Stress
Common signs that your student may be experiencing significant stress include:
- Reduced or more infrequent communication
- Irritability, short temper, or mood changes
- Sleep disruption — either sleeping too little or too much
- Loss of motivation or interest in things they normally enjoy
- Expressing feelings of self-doubt, failure, or hopelessness
- Withdrawing from relationships or activities outside of school
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or changes in eating habits
Many of these signs are normal responses to a high-demand environment. Concern increases when they are persistent, intensifying, or accompanied by expressions of hopelessness.
When to Encourage Support
Encourage your student to reach out to college resources if:
- Stress becomes persistent or begins to interfere significantly with daily functioning
- Academic performance is declining and they are not sure how to recover
- They express feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or a sense that things will not improve
- They seem to be withdrawing from all sources of connection over an extended period
Available Support Resources
USU CVM students have access to a range of support programs. Here is a brief description of each to help you understand what your student may be connecting with:
PASS Program
Peer Academic Support System — A peer-led academic tutoring and support program. Students connect with trained peers for help with course content, study strategies, and exam preparation. Ideal for students who want academic support in a collegial, low-pressure environment.
SMART Program
Structured Mentoring and Academic Resource Training — A faculty and staff mentoring program that connects students with experienced mentors for guidance on academic progress, professional identity, and career development. Not just for struggling students — designed for every student who wants to grow
CVM Student Health & Wellness Center
Provides mental health support, wellness consultation, and connection to counseling and related services. Students can access support remotely during the clinical year. Concerns about stress, burnout, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing are all appropriate reasons to reach out.
USU CARE Team
The university’s behavioral intervention and student-of-concern team. If you have serious concerns about a student’s wellbeing or safety, contacting the CARE team is appropriate. The CARE team coordinates a supportive, coordinated response.
Your Role
You are not expected to solve your student’s problems — and you cannot. But your presence, your consistency, and your willingness to listen without judgment can make a real difference.
- Be present and listen. Sometimes the most helpful thing is sitting quietly and letting your student talk through their experience.
- Validate, don’t minimize. “That sounds really hard” goes further than “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
- Ask what they need. Try: “Do you want advice, or do you just want me to listen?”
- Offer steady encouragement. Remind them that growth takes time. Recognize effort, not just outcomes.
- Celebrate small wins. Finishing a hard exam week, completing a difficult rotation, or simply making it through a stressful stretch all deserve acknowledgment.
What to Avoid (Even with Good Intentions)
- Trying to immediately fix or solve the problem
- Minimizing stress with reassurances like “You’ll be fine” or “You’re so smart, don’t worry”
- Comparing their experience to others (“So-and-so made it through,” “When I was your age…”)
- Adding social pressure or new obligations during peak stress periods
- Interpreting reduced communication as a sign of relationship problems rather than workload