Before we dive into today’s post, let’s listen to the audio first:

Hey friends, let’s talk about two very different AVE journeys.

Meet Rosa.

Rosa is a veterinarian from Spain who moved to Australia six months ago with her 7-year-old son, Teddy. She’s been a small animal GP vet in Spain and the UK for 11 years.

She arrived on a Working Holiday Visa and is currently working full-time as a babysitter, because, well, life happens.

It’s December. Rosa is homesick, missing her career as a vet, and suddenly decides: I’m going to sit the AVE exam!

She studies for four months, squeezing in three hours a day after work, sometimes four on weekends. She can’t afford to stop working—Sydney is expensive, and she has a child to support.

Do you think Rosa passed?

💔 She didn’t.
Rosa was exhausted, burnt out, stressed. She had no social life, no time to exercise, no space to breathe. And yet—when people talk about someone who “passed the MCQ in three months,” they don’t mention the full story.

Now, meet Stefano.

Stefano is an Italian vet who’s been in Australia for 11 years. He’s married and working full-time as a vet nurse.

He decides to take the AVE exam but only has three months to prepare.

Luckily, his husband is able to support him financially during that time, so he takes unpaid leave and studies full-time, 6 to 8 hours a day.

But the stress takes a toll:
⚡ His eczema flares up badly due to anxiety.
⚡ He gains a few kilos and experiences several mental breakdowns.
⚡ But he doesn’t give up.

Now, let’s talk about HIM—the person who did pass in three months.

• He quit his job (because he had financial support in Australia).

• He was already an Australian citizen (no visa stress).

• He was already working in the vet industry (huge advantage).

• He had advanced English (less struggle with terminology).

• He thrived under pressure, he was working in emergency vet nursing.

See the difference?

Next time you hear someone say they passed the AVE exam in three months, think twice before comparing their journey to yours.

The AVE journey is TOUGH.

That’s why Antonella and I are so passionate about supporting our Brainy Bilby students, because we want you to pass and land your dream job.

⛔ Cramming leads to burnout and disappointment.
✅ Study smart, live your life, take care of your mental health.
The AVE journey is just as much a MIND GAME as it is an academic challenge.

Want the right support? Check out our courses at brainybilby.com.au