My very first week of optometry school!
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 27th 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 5th, 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.