Just Press Pause

Good morning!

I finally can take a few minutes to write a blog! Derek and I both said, “No blogging until after boards!” because every single minute is precious leading up to the test. I took my part I national board exam on March 19. I talked about that day so frequently that when I would type the word boards, my phone would auto populate March 19! So what exactly does life look like leading up to that test? I will give you a glimpse into my world during that time, but truthfully, it all feels like ancient history already.

So for our class, the boards frenzy started in October. Our class has always been a bit extreme in terms of grades in that we tend to have ridiculously high class averages for exams. We are also known for practicing insane amounts, so they always had to order us a lot of supplies for labs. This same attitude seemed to translate to boards, so many of us started at least somewhat studying for the test six months before we took it. I had the intention to do that, but I truthfully did very little prior to December. Over Christmas break, I really started focusing my time on boards. I tend to be someone who likes to dig deep in one thing at a time, so I just focused on one subject at a time. Starting the semester, I pretty much studied for boards every day at least a little bit unless we had midterms for our classes. Thankfully, a lot of the material we covered in class was still boards material, so no matter what I was studying, it was good preparation for the test.

I studied using a variety of resources, but I mostly used the KMK package. The college and the national board of examiners (NBEO) do not encourage or endorse any particular study program, so this is just what I chose to do. KMK has live lecture courses, so for three weekends in January and February we had class from 9-5 on Saturday and Sunday. I initially thought I would hate these because I would be driving to school 7 days a week, but I honestly loved it. It was actually really fun to be with my classmates all weekend and go home feeling like I learned a lot. We still have a full course load and regular clinic rotations during this semester, so there was a lot of juggling we had to do. The last month leading up to the test, I ramped up my study routine from studying most of the time to studying literally all the time. I had taped pages of notes all over my bathroom walls, so that while I got ready in the morning I was studying. I would listen to the KMK lectures pretty much constantly (while folding laundry, cooking, driving, etc.). The week before the test was spring break, so I was all day every day studying. I actually loved that week because there was nothing competing for my attention. I had a daily routine of studying and exercising that was sort of refreshing. I actually never left my house except to go to church and exercise for 10 days straight. While this sounds miserable, I never minded studying for boards. To me, it was an opportunity to build confidence and fill in all the gaps in my knowledge, so I am prepared to be a doctor.

In addition to KMK, our professors provided us with a variety of practice questions and review sessions over their courses. I found the review sessions and review material provided by our professors to be super helpful. I also utilized a lot of Quizlet flashcards and the Daily Dose of Optoprep (free daily questions) for additional preparation. There is no one way to prepare for the test, which is probably the hardest part. You have to really make a decision to study the way you believe you need to and tune out everything else. You will hear other people talking and it will always make you start thinking you are doing it all wrong, but you have to stick to what you know about yourself. I would hear people say things like, “Well if you don’t know it by now, you are not going to.” For me, that is never true. I studied all the way up until I went to bed the night before, while others took the whole day off before the test. While the test is intense, I walked out feeling that Ohio State really prepared me well. You really do not have to buy any expensive study package to prepare, but if you prefer having everything in one place, you may like the study packages. We are still waiting on scores, so stay tuned!

Life after boards has been fantastic! The day after I took the test I went to the Optometry Day at the Statehouse (ODASH) with the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA), which was an invaluable experience! I met about eight different legislators that day. Since we are not currently advocating for any particular optometry related bill, we just educated them about optometry. We met with each legislator one on one or their staff and explained what optometry is, how we fit into the healthcare system, and all the possibilities of how we fit into the healthcare system in the future. I also had the opportunity to learn from incredible optometrists throughout the state of Ohio. Most of the doctors I met recommended I start shadowing practices to see all of the different modalities before I start working. I have started doing some shadowing, and it really is a valuable experience. I have not shadowed since I was applying to school, and it is a whole different perspective now. I am so grateful to the OOA for all that they do. All of the OOA events I have been involved in have been some of my favorite experiences in optometry school. I look forward to being involved as a doctor!

This past weekend a group of my classmates and I did another Remote Area Medical trip in Ashtabula, Ohio. I am super passionate about RAM, and I highly recommend everyone get involved from general volunteers to doctors. I have found these trips to always impact me in a profound way and the patients are so grateful for what we do. While there are many ways for people to get healthcare in Ohio, there are also lots of gaps in coverage that people can fall into and RAM fills those gaps. Ohio passed legislation last year to allow RAM to operate in Ohio, so this is new for our state. This past weekend the optometry clinic saw about 600 patients for full dilated eye exams! The housing and food is free, so the only cost you have to do a RAM trip is travel. My classmates and I caravanned up to Ashtabula Friday night after clinic and made a mandatory dinner stop at Der Dutchman. We saw patients Saturday from 6am until about 5pm. We did an escape room that night and literally ran to watch the sun go down on Lake Erie. Sunday we were in the clinic from 6am to about 1pm; it was an exhausting but rewarding weekend. I had two moments that will probably stick with me. My first patient on Sunday morning, I saw papilledema (both optic nerves swollen) for the first time. He was a young man with good vision, so I went into it expecting to find nothing remarkable and was quickly reminded that no exam is routine and that 20/20 vision does not mean there is nothing else going on. Thankfully, RAM provides follow up care with local doctors, so he was referred out. Another memorable moment was a four year old who had pretty decent hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (light focuses in two places rather than one). She would not leave the phoropter because she was seeing a clear image for the first time. She was also referred for follow up amblyopia care (“lazy eye”). RAM makes each patient glasses on site, so we got the little girl started in glasses.

So I titled this blog, “Just Press Pause” because that is how I feel right now. Optometry school is such a roller coaster, and I realize the ride is about to come to an end. While graduation is still a year away, we have begun our series of lasts. Yesterday was our last midterm ever. We are headed toward our last week of class and labs. We will be taking our last finals soon. We are on our last few weeks of Primary Vision Care clinic (PVC). We are all very ready and excited to go out on externships for fourth year, but it is hard to understand that the people we have spent nearly every day with for three years will be scattered across the country in a few weeks. We are such a close group and have been through a lot together. We have seen each other through academic and personal triumphs and challenges, and I just cannot imagine what it will be like to not see each other for a whole year.

As for me, I am sort of partially going away this summer. I will be at the OSU owned family practice in Upper Arlington, so I am not technically leaving, but I will not be on main campus. I have two other classmates with me, and I know the attending doctors who will be at the clinic, so there is a lot of continuity for me. I have heard it is a big adjustment initially transitioning to full time patient care, but I am definitely ready. This past weekend was a taste of full time patient care, and I loved every minute of it.

It is a beautiful spring weekend as the flowers are all blooming on the trees and we finally have some nice weather! Have a nice weekend! Below are some pictures of this past weekend and ODASH.

Kevin, Julia, and Derek refracting.
The clinic was in an abandoned department store in a mall. (RAM photos courtesy of Taylor)
We escaped in 37 mins!
Back row L to R: Taylor, Nate, Kayla, Kevin, Amy, Julia. Front: Derek and Jacob. We narrowly escaped the geese to take this photo.
Sunset on Lake Erie
Left to right: OSU alum and former blogger Elizabeth (Dr. Bower), Derek’s head, Nate, Jacob, Gentry, Kevin, Zack, Amy, Kayla, Julia, Dr. Nerderman, and Taylor
Bridget and I at ODASH. (Photo courtesy of Bridget)