Amongst the various pre-med and pre-PA students, I found myself to be the only person pursuing optometry. SCO didn’t have any pre-optometry programs, clubs, or optometrist alumni to share their wisdom. I was alone, but I was determined. This was the career I wanted to pursue.
During my application process, I attended SCCO’s summer admissions workshop, Eryn Kraning’s SCCO presentation at U See Eyes, and finally interview day. The welcoming atmosphere of the faculty and students paralleled that of all the SCCO alumni I had interacted with, making SCCO the right decision for me.
Throughout high school and college, I worked tirelessly toward medical school. It wasn’t until I took a gap year and worked at an ophthalmology practice, I began to rethink my goals and future career.
Toxic productivity culture is a phenomenon that occurs when you push your body and mind to unhealthy extremes in the name of productivity, often at the expense of your physical and mental health. Many students feed into this mindset, even competing to see who has sacrificed more.
Before undergrad, I never considered that my education journey may be emotionally taxing – but it was. Between struggling to adjust to life away from my family, trying desperately to manage difficult coursework, imposter syndrome, and (poorly) putting on an act that everything was fine, I totally crumbled.
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.
Fortunately, most people’s first memories don’t include wearing glasses. Unfortunately, mine do – I don’t know a life without glasses.
When I began my journey to optometry school, I never anticipated that hesitation would strike the moment it came to submitting my application.
Optometry Admissions Blog 