Hi guys! I left off my last post with the College of Optometry’s Centennial Celebration and wanted to tell you a little bit more about how that went. On the night of the 5^th, the Archie Griffin Ballroom was packed with around 850 Ohio State Optometry alumni, faculty and students. It was the largest gathering I have ever seen at the Union! It was a really wonderful night filled with entertainment, delicious food, talking with classmates and their friends and hearing from important alumni. We capped off the celebration with a performance by the “Bad Habits: The Official Eye Docs of Rock,” an all optometrist rock group. This was the first time I had heard them but most people attending knew of them because they play at many vision expos and meetings across the country. I loved ending the night by singing and dancing along with my classmates and other students! Here’s a picture of many of my classmates and I looking fancy at the Centennial!

Class of 2018 at the Centennial Celebration

The real date of the centennial was September 16^th. That day in class, Dean Zadnik gave us a little bit of history about the profession of optometry as a whole and our program here at Ohio State. Did you know that optometry has its roots in the jewelry business? I didn’t until the other day! Dean Zadnik explained the evolution of the profession from the days of traveling opticians to the legislative fight in Ohio for therapeutics to the current scope of optometry that our class will learn to practice! It was amazing to think how much the career has changed in these 100 years. We also learned that the College of Optometry started as a branch of the Physics Department back in 1914 called Applied Optics. She read us some excerpts from the original course manual and we realized how different the program was when it started from how it is now.

So class- wise, things are really starting to pick up. Next week we have our first two midterms in Anatomy and Optics and then have one or two tests almost every week after. I have been studying a lot all week to prepare for them. I’m spending a lot of time this weekend studying too but I wanted to write a post during a study break J Unfortunately, I had to sell my ticket to the home game this weekend. As an Ohio State undergraduate, I went to every home game so it has been an adjustment for me to realize that I might not be able to make it to every single one due to upcoming tests. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any time for fun. I’ve learned that if you plan your week ahead and budget your time really well, you can make room for certain activities you really want to do. I did go to the game two weekends ago and it was such a great feeling being back in the ‘Shoe!’ Here are a couple pictures from the game against Kent State University!

Amber, Jessica, Heather and I at the Kent State game

Quadruple Script Ohio during the band’s halftime performance

Okay, now it’s time to get back to studying! Go Bucks!

The very first week of optometry school was one of the most exciting, informative, social and action-packed weeks of my life! It’s also something I’ve been looking forward to since receiving the terrific news last fall, informing me that I would have the awesome opportunity to spend another four years here at The Ohio State University.

I am an Ohio State Buckeye, through and through. Even as a very young girl growing up in Youngstown, Ohio I knew I wanted to attend Ohio State. As I became interested in optometry during the end of high school, my aspiration to attend Ohio State grew even more when I realized they had an optometry program. When I began as a freshman here, I immediately fell in love with everything about the university! The spirit and pride I felt (and still feel!) while walking around campus was overwhelming. The possibilities for involvement on campus were astounding! Through the Involvement Fair held on the Oval, I was able to find the Pre-Optometry Club and join! Hearing from practicing optometrists and current students at the meetings was critical in deepening my interests and knowledge on the career of optometry. Through Pre-Optometry Club, I met so many people with similar interests who became my friends! I also was involved other extracurricular activities like the Club Swim Team and Delta Omega Kappa, Ohio State’s Pre-Health Sorority, in which I served as the Recruitment Chair during my senior year!

During undergrad, I was able to participate in research through the College of Optometry. As a pre-optometry student, this was one of the most enriching and exciting parts of my undergrad career! Not only did I learn about the purpose of the study and the optometric equipment used but I also got to meet more students interested in entering the field of optometry. Six other students that I did research with are now in the Class of 2018 along with me!

A mixture of nerves and anticipation kept me up the night before orientation. I was so excited to meet my future classmates and meet some faculty members! Walking up to Fry Hall for the first day, I immediately noticed the newest additions to the outside of the building, a giant Brutus wearing glasses and an enormous eye chart. They instantly put a smile on my face and filled me with that Buckeye pride! The presentations by the Student Affairs were so informative and provided me with information and resources at Ohio State that I was unaware of before. The faculty members we heard from were welcoming, humorous, approachable and eager to express that help with coursework is always available. Everything I heard during the first two days really put me at ease and helped realize that I’d never be left to struggle alone. I have been having so much fun getting to know my classmates. I look forward to spending the year with them and sharing a special bond as a class.

Throughout the week were many planned social events to not only get to better know my classmates but also second, third and even some fourth year students! Every event was so well planned and so much fun! The upperclassmen I met were all extremely friendly and willing to chat, give advice and answer any questions I had!

Also, as a class we participated in the first ever interprofessional orientation program, “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life.” Students in health sciences and professional/graduate programs such as medicine, physical and occupational therapy, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and many more were involved. As a group we discussed the role of each profession in regards to health care. We also discussed the book “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman. Through reading the book we were able to develop in-depth conversations on the importance of cultural competency in healthcare. Overall, the program was extremely rewarding and I’m glad I got to be a part of the very first group!

We officially started classes on Wednesday, August 27^th in Fry 22! Again, I was nervous but ready to start learning again! Right away I noticed a change in the way I felt as each course was presented; I was going to be learning about everything I am completely interested in! This week is already building the foundation for the rest of my career. As they stressed during orientation, our time in the optometry world starts now, even as students. I know that this is going to be a difficult year, filled with hours in the library and worry and stress, but I know that it is going to be completely worth it!

During this past week a very exciting and unforgettable fact was often mentioned. This year, the College of Optometry will be celebrating “100 years of great vision!” On Friday September 5^th, faculty, alumni, and students commemorated this monumental achievement at the Centennial Celebration. (I’ll tell you more about how it went very soon!) All week, the college was abuzz with anticipation for the gala! Fun and festivities aside, I am very honored and proud to be part of sharing in this milestone with the many other intelligent and successful optometrists who as of this week are now my colleagues. This is more than a celebration of 100 years of existence but of the innumerous service, dedication and advancements that The Ohio State College of Optometry has provided throughout this time. Now more than ever, I am so proud to be a Buckeye.