Student Ambassador Blog Articles
Lots of Other Things On Your Plate While Studying for the OAT? Advice from SCCO Student Ambassador Kaitlyn Tsou
A series of articles written by SCCO Student Ambassadors, here is Kaitlyn Tsou. To learn more about Kaitlyn, where she is from, and why she chose SCCO, find her bio here listed alphabetically.
Lots of Other Things On Your Plate While Studying for the OAT? Here’s My Advice
By Kaitlyn Tsou, SCCO Student Ambassador
I was originally a pre-dental student set on taking the DAT and going to dental school. But I changed my mind after experiencing patients’ lives being touched by the gift of good sight.
When I decided to take the OAT, I was working, going to school as well as studying for the OAT— and applying to optometry school! There were a lot of things on my plate. I found myself struggling to keep track of all that was going on.
To prepare for the OAT, I purchased a Kaplan OAT book and it came with 4 practice tests along with the diagnostic test. At the start of my studying, I took the diagnostic test just to see what the test was going to be like and to find out which sections I was going to have to work more towards getting a better score. To ensure I was improving after studying the material for the OAT, my goal was to complete at least one test per week . I attended all my classes during this time and thankfully, I was a bio major so I tried to apply as many of the concepts I was learning to studying for the OAT as I could. For example, at the time I was taking cancer biology, which really helped in understanding genetics better for the biology section.
Also, I worked at an optometry office 3 times per week. I was lucky enough to have a separate OAT study book in the office someone else already used. I would look over it during my free time. A lot of this had to do with time management and making sure I wasn’t wasting time since there was still homework and tests to study for, yet I was also studying for one of the most important tests of my life. Self-discipline was required for this process, especially when I felt particularly lazy on some days. It helped me to remind myself that knowlege I was learning in school as well as the information I was re-learning on the OAT would help to serve me when I would one day become an optometrist. This belief encouraged me to learn or re-learn concepts with diligence.
When I was tired of studying or tired of doing work, it is important for me to remember why I was studying and the end goal of it all, and that was to get into optometry school and to become an optometrist. I would then be able to help so many others see the world to the best of their ability. However, if I became extremely tired it is important to remind myself to take breaks–to just plain take care of myself! It is better to study effectively than to waste time because you are not absorbing as much information because your brain is tired. Lastly, remember to be organized, to mange your time well, and know your limits and take breaks if needed.
I hope this helps to encourage and keep you focused on your goal of becoming a professional who will one day make a big difference in your patients’ lives.
If you have any questions, you may reach me at kaitlyntsou.scco25@ketchum.edu
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Published by Jane Ann Munroe, OD, Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO
I wanted to be an optometrist when I was only 10 years old. Why? I had some kind of geeky fascination with eyeglass frames, and was obsessed with getting a pair of my own. In my situation, having perfect eyesight was a distinct disadvantage, so I had to hatch a plan.
After repeated intense squinting while looking at the blackboard, I approached my teacher and lied with conviction, complaining that I couldn’t see. This report got me first to the school nurse and then finally on to an optometrist for an eye exam, where I tried my best Mr. Magoo impression to no avail.
I would have to wait two more long years until the gods finally smiled on me when, by some miracle, I acquired enough astigmatism to warrant my first bona fide pair of prescription eyeglasses!
Along with my love of people and wanting to take care of them, subsequent visits to the optometrist and shadowing, I sealed the deal—optometry was now officially what I wanted to do with my life.
I made first contact with the Southern California College of Optometry when I was in 8th grade. My older sister had a newly minted driver’s license and so I coerced her into driving me all the way from our home in La Mirada to Los Angeles, SCCO’s then-home. After a master planning effort to plot out our route on a paper map folded in 8 places, we arrived at SCCO where my sister quickly surmised that I didn’t have an appointment with an admissions advisor. She called me a loser, drove me all the way back home and the next day, phoned to help make the requisite appointment.
I entered high school in the late 1960’s (ouch, that hurt) when young females wanted to be anything but what I’d chosen as my newly dedicated pursuit—a science geek. I wore thick horn-rimmed black eyeglass frames (told you I was serious) and hung around chemistry lab after class. This was at a time when women just did not pursue careers in science and being the tomboy that I was, that was fine with me. This trend continued right through into undergrad, attending many classes where I was the only female--bespectacled or not--in the class. At a recent high school reunion, many of my classmates still remember me as the science geek with the blinders on—many envious of my joy and passion for my future profession.
I graduated from SCCO in 1977. Looking back with 40 years of experience as an optometrist, I am awed to know that I chose this wonderful profession way-back-when and with only my juvenile perspective to inform me. In 1977 when I graduated from optometry school, the profession began a series of major changes to its practice scope: securing the rights to use diagnostic drugs (dilating drops), securing the rights to prescribe therapeutic drugs (huge change!), being recognized as physicians by the federal government and treating glaucoma. In some US states, optometry has made even bigger strides into minor surgery, use of lasers, hospital privileges...etc. If I had the opportunity to go back and make another choice and knowing what I do today about health care and my own hardwiring, I’d make the same choice for optometry--nobody loves this profession more than I do. http://www.ketchum.edu/index.php/about/administration-directory
I grew up with optometry and now it’s your turn to inherit its future. That’s what this blog is about—getting you into optometry school and I am just the person to help you achieve this goal. We’re going to talk about the admissions process, how to prepare to take the OAT, how to be a competitive applicant, how to prepare to interview, to name a few. We’re going to talk about SCCO, student life and what it’s like to be an optometric intern. I am very persuasive, motivating and I am completely sold on optometry as the best profession in health care. I speak from experience!
Get ready to dialogue. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and please, chime in on discussions. I want to know what kind of help you need. You got this!
View all posts by Jane Ann Munroe, OD, Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO