Swing of Things
“Our honor defend we will fight to the end for OHIO” – from the “Buckeye Battle Cry,”
Two months can make a huge difference. I have settled into a routine of sleeping, studying, attending class, and eating. Columbus is starting to feeling more like a home. One significant difference from undergrad is that I like all the classes I am taking. The professors always try to relate concepts back to clinical practice and why we should care about the concepts. Many concepts are also repeated in multiple classes which makes it easier to remember and to make connections to how it fits into the bigger picture of the body and optometry. I never realized how so interconnected everything is in our body and how minor signs and symptoms relating to the eye can indicate serious diseases in the liver, respiratory system, brain, and other parts of the body.
Unfortunately it’s one thing to be enthralled by the material, it’s a different matter to recall and apply it for an exam. Exams are certainly much more difficult in optometry school than they are in undergrad. It is not so much the material that’s complicated but to what degree I need to understand the material. Regurgitation is not an option. I need to be able to apply the material. For example, in my Pathophysiology exams we are given a test patient which we have to provide three likely diagnoses which requires you to remember and apply in such a way that any doctor would.
In all, I survived five midterms and one practical so far. Thankfully I did okay on all my midterms but I would like to improve my performance on subsequent midterms. You cannot take your exams home with you but the professors offer ample office hours where you can look over the midterm and get any questions answered. In addition, I visited the Younkin Success Center on campus to get another perspective on study techniques. The counselor I met with emphasized small chunks of study time with breaks, using diagrams, pictures, and charts, reviewing your new notes every day, and using memorable mnemonics. I have started using some of these methods and it has helped retain the material better. The true test will come when the next round of midterms comes (no pun intended).
In addition clubs activities are in full swing. I haven’t decided which clubs to join yet but I have gone to meetings for Lions Club, SVOSH, and Private Practice Club. Meetings do not happen often but when they occur, it consists of speaker discussing a related topic. For example, this past meeting of the Private Practice Club brought a speaker from a marketing company that specializes in marketing medical practices. Although I am not sure if I want to go into private practice, it’s interesting and I am thankful that the resources are available.
It has not all been studying and school. Football season is in full swing here at Ohio State and most weekends there has been a home game. As a citizen of Buckeye Nation, it’s almost a civic duty of mine and other citizens to spectate the football games whether at the Shoe (or the Horseshoe where the football team plays) or on the nearest TV or computer. For my usual Game Day routine, I meet up with some friends who live near campus and then we walk over to the EYE House for some awesome tailgating with fellow classmates. On the way there we have to walk along High Street along campus. I have to tell you I have never seen quite this level of school spirit before. Everyone walking down the street is dressed in scarlet and gray. including newborns and family pets. There is certain amount of electric excitement you cannot help but let it pulse through you.
When we finally get to the EYE House, students from all classes, some professors and alumni are present for the usual tailgating. It’s nice to be able to socialize with people from other classes especially over some burgers and drinks. We usually spend a few hours here and then walk over to the Horseshoe for the game. There’s nothing that can ever match a stadium of 100,000+ people all in scarlet cheering for the home team. It’s these moments that help to break up the weeks with studying, class, and exams. It makes me feel more at home.
Speaking of those exams, I should probably get back to studying for my next one. Until next time!