Some identical twins I know can’t fathom being apart, but not me. Many people would find it exciting to have a twin, but it becomes a struggle when finding your own identity.
While at the time I felt I was “even more behind” in my journey to becoming an Optometrist, I soon realized as long as I continued working on my application (in all aspects, not purely optometry-related), then I wasn’t behind, and I wasn’t wasting time.
I fully understand why optometry is for me, and it gives me the strength to face the rigors of school. I wouldn’t be here without my experiences – they helped slowly forge an unwavering work ethic.
When I first started thinking about where to begin my optometry school application, I was stuck. I wondered, “What makes me a competitive applicant? What makes me someone who is not only well-rounded but also well-prepared to handle the rigors of optometry school?”
The application process for optometry school can be a very scary and stressful time in a student’s life. You take time to look back at everything you’ve done this far, and the age-old question arises: am I good enough for optometry school?
…a failing grade is not the end of the world. Despite being told this over and over, it’s easy to spiral into a feeling of dread or feel not good enough, and I’m here to reassure you that it will be alright.
In a perfect world, the path to optometry school would be smooth sailing. It would be easy peasy with no hiccups along the way. The reality is: the journey can be difficult and nonlinear for many of us, me included.
As a first-generation student, the thought of attending optometry school felt like a dream that was far out of reach.
From the festive decorations to the welcoming faculty members at check-in, my interview day felt more like a celebration rather than a test to see if I qualified for a spot in their incoming class.
I was born and raised in a country called Zambia. Growing up in Southern Africa gave me an amazing childhood, where many of my passions developed.
Optometry Admissions Blog 