Going to school to become a vet and a psychologist at the same time isn't physically or mentally possible. There just aren't enough hours in the day to do both. Just doing one or the other will take up all of your time between going to class, doing homework and studying. People who go to school to become any kind of doctor have no free time and they get very little sleep.

To become a licenced clinical psychologist, it takes 8 to 12 years. Here's a site with how many years of school you need for the different areas of psychology degrees. http://psychology.about.com/od/careersinpsychology/f/psychologist-schooling.htm

To become a vet, it takes at least 8 years, 4 years college then another 4 years veterinarian medical college. If you're going to specialize in a field to become for instance an avian vet, exotic animal vet, ect., it takes more years. There are only 28 veterinarian colleges in the U.S. so it's very competitive to get into one. Here's the Association of American Veternary Medical Colleges home page, there's a map on the page listing the colleges. http://www.aavmc.org/

To open your own practice, it takes a LOT of money, buying or renting a building, all the medical equipment, surgical supplies, medications, paying employees, building/equipment insurance, malpractice insurance, etc., plus don't forget you'll be in a ton of debt from school that needs to be paid off. Most vets don't jump right into having their own practice right away, they work for another vet to start out for at least a few years. You need to get a good reputation and clientele built up before opening your own practice or you're not going to have enough business to keep going. Vets also don't have a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job, they work very long hours every day.

You sound like a very ambitious, determined girl and that's great. I think you just need to slow down some, check out everything that is involved in achieving both fields, think about what you really want to do with your life and go from there. You can get one degree, work in that field for a while and then go back to school for another degree later on if you still want to. Fulfill your dreams but all our dreams don't need to happen all at once. If you burn out by trying to do everything at once, you won't enjoy any of them.

First, before ANY college (and student loans) whatsoever, research the job field. Go to careerbuilder, monster, etc., and see how many jobs actually pop up in the fields you're interested in, acknowledging that the job market will change in 4 years when you're ready to graduate. Look for the DEMAND in those fields you mentioned.

Then, pick ONE major and concentrate on that. Pursuing two majors at the same time will stress you out big-time and will decimate you financially (with student loans). Pick the one that you feel will be the most lucrative (and enjoyable, so you will do well at it). Take business courses as electives. Once you begin that practice, then devote nights to studying up on the other.

Your BF is right. This WILL take you away from him. Full-time college is an all-consuming endeavor. But you're doing this for you, not him. Tell him the coin when you get out will be substantial.

Kaiser, Phoenix, etc., I believe these all have online programs, in all the fields of study you mentioned, that you can complete from your home computer, and might be way more affordable than going to an on-site campus.

I'm of the opinion that trade / vocational / tech programs are better than college, because they teach the specific skillset needed for the job you desire, without the fluff and theory courses that typically accompany college, and can be completed in far less time, spending far less money, than college. But a veterenary and psychology program are a bit more in-depth, so college may be the only option there.

I have a B.A. degree in Communications, by the way. Aside from writing here, in my professional life, it hasn't earned me any money. I consider it largely a waste of time, and, fortunately, not money, since I was so poor I was able to obtain a grant. Go for a grant before going for a loan. You don't pay back a grant; it's a free government hand-out to those who qualify. A loan will land you in the hole, in debt, for at least 15 years, depending on the size of the $$ sum, paying it back.

If I sound like Suze Orman, I do gleam a lot of valuable financial information from her show!

Great advice has been given to you by the above posters. I would only add that for now focus on just getting diploma and getting good grades as you never know you might be eligible for a scholarship for college. I would also recommend that if possible you consider working part-time either at a vets office or perhaps even doing some work in a therapists office such as answering phones and such.

This will give you a better idea of the work they do as well giving you a bit more education on both fields. As for handling your relationship with your b/f you are both young so I advise that you do not make any serious commitments just yet, however I do think it is important that you do have some fun time whether it be with him or just friends. You do not want to get so overwhelmed by school and work because that will only cause much deeper problems down the road.

Take it one step at a time. Remember that once you do start college just getting through the generals will be a challenge. So finish one thing at a time and the proceed to the next step. Wishing you the very best:)

Great advice, katie!

Yes, WORK in the field you desire to go to college for. You may not like it after working in it as a summer job, or you may fall deeply in love with it.

Kate is spot on. I originally went to school to become a teacher. I began teaching and discovered that I really didn't like it. Loved the kids and working with them, absolutely HATED the crabby, jerky parents and administrators unwilling to help teachers. I knew after a couple of years working I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life.

Leather is right too. Becoming a vet AND a therapist is certainly POSSIBLE, but not probable or even likely. Veterinary school is tough and the prep for it is tough too. Becoming a therapist is no picnic either. They are both fields that require a lot of hard work and you won't be able to do them both at the same time. I am changing fields and going to school for a medical profession right now and it's a lot of work--a lot of science and a lot of studying. I figured I was very bright and I wouldn't struggle through it, but I do. Plus, it takes very good grades to get into vet school. If you are trying to do too much at once, you won't be able to pull the good grades you need for that.

You've had a lot on your plate for the past few years. I suggest taking the time to sit down with yourself and really think about what you want from life. Pursuing ONE of these fields will be a challenge.

Both fields are "helping" fields. Would you rather be helping people or animals? Personally I say go with the animals. People are too darn complicated.

Great, if you succeed you will really be able to talk to the animals. LOL

Seriously, a GED is essential today. A few years back, the founder of Wendy's hamburger chain Dave Thomas finally got his GED. By that time he was worth a billion dollars. He had dropped out of high school. He thought it was essential enough to do the work necessary.