I cannot believe it, but it is time to write my last blog. I remember reading the student blogs before starting optometry school anxiously wondering what it would be like. It is hard to believe that it is over already. So now what? That is the most exciting part, the opportunities for life after optometry school are endless– private practice, corporate optometry, research and development, graduate school, fellowships, and residencies! I am actually just coming to the realization today that I am in the driver’s seat and get to decide what I do from here. During optometry school, our schedules were made for us, our clinic rotations assigned to us, and there was a four year plan. There is no more plan!
As for me, I am fortunate enough to have obtained exactly the job I had wanted in private practice. I am really excited to start working! I have always loved all aspects of optometry, and I would like to utilize the full range of skills I have learned. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about how the current economic situation would impact all of our job prospects, but fortunately, most of my classmates’ jobs have been unaffected. The majority of my classmates are pursuing jobs in private practice and about a third are doing residencies. Most of the people doing residencies are looking to specialize, particularly in ocular disease at the VA. We also have a couple of people in our class who are going to serve as optometrists in the military!
Reflecting back on my time at OSU, I realized that every difficult time was followed by a joyous time. Optometry school is definitely not a walk in the park, but with each trial comes a victory, and it is so worth it. It is an amazing feeling to go through each struggle and slowly see yourself becoming a doctor. It is worth your while to believe in yourself and go completely out of your comfort zone to see what you are made of. I really was not sure if I was going to be capable of becoming an optometrist, but with one day at a time, one test at a time, and one patient at a time, I eventually got there. I am so incredibly thankful to the OSUCO for believing in me and supporting me through this journey. The college truly is a family including students, faculty, staff, and patients. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend the past four years with the most brilliant, caring, and supportive Buckeye family. I am also thankful the Buckeye family is forever, and I look forward to being part of the alumni community!
I sincerely hope this blog has been helpful to someone who has been considering going to optometry school. I appreciate you all taking this journey with me, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to share it with you. I wish you all the best if you are an undergraduate considering applying to optometry school, a “non-trad” who is considering a major life change, or someone who is curious what this wild ride looks like. I hope you all stay healthy and never settle for less than the best in life! Thank you to the OSU College of Optometry for changing my life forever! Let’s save vision!
P. S. Every person’s time at OSU looks different, but my advice is to take every opportunity that comes your way! Below are some of my favorite memories.
