Top 3 Highlights from My 1st Year at SCCO
Top 3 Highlights from my 1st Year at SCCO: Western Regional Conference, AOA on Capitol Hill, and Getting Food with My Friends
Top 3 Highlights from my 1st Year at SCCO: Western Regional Conference, AOA on Capitol Hill, and Getting Food with My Friends
As I am writing this, I am in my first (and last) summer break of optometry school. I can’t tell you how ecstatic I feel about accomplishing my first year of school already. It sped by so quickly, and I’m so happy to share some of the things that surprised me about my first year of optometry school at SCCO.
Embarking on my journey at SCCO, I anticipated a year filled with challenges and triumphs, but nothing could prepare me for the whirlwind of emotions and experiences that awaited.
It is hard to know what to expect from optometry school. We all have questions and try to compare it to past experiences. However, I have come to the realization that optometry school feels like a restart in the best way possible.
Knowing that I wanted to graduate early, I learned very quickly how to make the most of my time. Whether you are just starting your first year in undergrad or getting ready to submit your application, here are my tips and tricks for balancing everything on your plate.
When I was in high school, I came in for my annual physical and told her that I was interested in being a pediatrician just like her. And, as you can guess from the title, she told me no!
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I want to go into healthcare, but I don’t know where to start?” If you have, then you and I already have something in common! Just like many students on the pre-health track, I went into college not knowing what I wanted to pursue.
Choosing a major was daunting. How could I choose a career path at 17 years old when I did not even know myself yet? You might be at that same point – what career path should I pursue?
Having a job in which I would be interacting with new people daily sounded like something I would never sign up for. How did I get here, and how did I know that optometry was the right career path for me?
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.