As we enter finals week, there is much to celebrate! This edition of the Snellen Letter honors the beginnings, endings, and important milestones that are the Optometry student journey.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019! Next week’s graduation events are almost here. We look forward to having you back together again to honor both your accomplishments and the important place you occupy in our community and our hearts. Here is the Class of 2019 as Dean Zadnik welcomes them to the Optometry family on their first day of orientation in August 2015!

The Class of 2020 is preparing to spread their wings and begin their first extern rotations. We look forward to seeing your skills and confidence grow to the next level as you encounter new patients, practices, and experiences. Here is the Class of 2020 on their last day of class together!

After a year of learning how to perform an eye exam, the Class of 2021 soon will begin seeing patients in the third-year clinical rotations. Here’s a reminder of how good you look in those white coats! We can’t wait to see the difference you make in the lives of patients!

Finally, our Class of 2022 is so close to finishing their first year! It seems like just yesterday we welcomed you into the Ohio State Optometry family. Getting to know you could not have been more enjoyable. We can’t wait to see you in your white coats in just a little over two weeks! Here you are at your Welcome Dinner!

In her last student blog post titled “Little Lessons,” soon-to-be Doctor of Optometry, Hannah Vollmer shared a few thoughts about what optometry school has taught her – we have included a few below. You can read Hannah’s full blog post at https://u.osu.edu/optometryHannah/

• Seeing patients is loads of fun.
• Short escapes from the monotony of daily routines will rejuvenate the soul more than extended vacations.
• It’s better to learn skills right the first time, than try to be the first one out of clinic, but have sloppy skills.
• Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do it.
• It’s okay to admit when you don’t know.
• Have a backup plan, or 6.
• Your voice is important, even if you’re that quiet kid in the back of every class. Don’t be afraid to speak, but in speaking, don’t lose sight of the value of silence.
• You will be afraid in life – it’s only natural – but don’t let the fears of tomorrow keep you from living today.

Your plans will change. Just relax and enjoy the adventure.