As someone who’s navigated the waters of optometry school and emerged a decade later as a seasoned optometry and an associate lecturer in the field, I’ve gathered a treasure trove of insights that I’m eager to share with you. These aren’t just tips; they’re the secrets as to how I thrived at university, gearing me up to be the professional optometrist that I am today. So lean in and listen closely as I unveil some of my secrets to success in undergraduate optometry.
Preparation: A Game-Changing Advantage
Think of preparation as the ultimate weapon in your arsenal for conquering the challenges of university life. It wasn’t just a slight heads-up on what the day at university had in store for me; it was my secret weapon, empowering me to breeze through every obstacle the academic journey threw at me.
Instead of stumbling into the lab or clinic unprepared, I was already a step ahead, having understood any pre-work that was set and practiced in my head what the practical involved. This proactive approach not only made coursework a walk in the park (by pre-reading, writing an introduction and method prior to arrival), but also afforded me ample time for enriching explorations or some well-deserved rest and relaxation. By performing further information into lecture topics before they were delivered, it made sure that I wasn’t a passive bystander; I was a proactive student, armed with an underlying knowledge to understand subject of the day.
Practice: The Art of Mastery
In the world of optometry, practicing isn’t just going through the motions; it’s all about mastering your craft. So many students seem to just do the robotic routine that they have been taught, without fully understanding the tests or what they mean. This, in turn, means that whenever they encounter something that doesn’t follow the routine, they panic and don’t know what to do (or worse, pretend they didn’t hear or see the abnormality and move on – seriously – DON’T DO THAT!)
The more you practice, the easier the testing will be and the more likely you will be exposed to the non-routine. This will give you ample time to explore further and research any gaps in your knowledge. Furthermore – don’t just practice with the same partner. You will likely see over of 5,000 eyes a year – each one different and with different needs. If you practice only with your best mate, you’ll be very comfortable with their eyes, but be thrown when you have someone else in the exam… or when you see real patients. Get that variety in!
You will also benefit talking through the examination too. The more you explain what you are doing, the deeper you are rooting your understanding of the routine, as well as being able to walk your patient through the assessment. This extra communication is something I find helps reassure the patient and will aid any examiners assessing your work. It isn’t just me that will tell you this, this “guiding” has also been covered by the “MUST FOLLOW” account The Optics Communication Coach. Get used to doing it as an undergraduate and you won’t even have to think about doing it in pre-reg, as it will come naturally!
Part-time Work or Volunteer: The Double-Edged Sword
This is a riddle that many students of different vocations will have to solve at some point. How do you get valuable professional experience, whilst working a very demanding academic course without burning out. The answer, boring as it may be, is to strike the right balance.
Some form of work experience is beneficial during your studies (although, it isn’t vital as I managed to get my way through without a placement!), but this should not come at the expense of coursework, self-care and revision for examinations. It would be otherwise fruitless if you spent all that time gaining experience but weren’t able to pass the course to get you in the role you have been gaining experience in! Many employers will be aware of your academic commitments and should be understanding of your situation, however at times you may feel pushed to accept more than you can offer. Make sure you aren’t taken advantage of and remember your priorities.
An added benefit of a work placement will also provide vital connections to the post-graduate world. You may be able to work to gain a pre-registration placement or a post-qualification job should you impress the employer sufficiently. Not to mention the welcome addition of any wages that most students within this cost-of-living crisis will definitely find use for.
University Activities: The Hidden Classroom
When I was a student, the university often sought stand-in patients, and here lies a hidden classroom. By stepping into the patient’s shoes, you’ll gain a panorama of testing styles and valuable feedback. There may be a number of different reasons the university may require a patient – be it for an encounter in the third year “real patient” clinics, to demonstrate a technique to other students, to sit as a patient for a module assessment or even for research purposes. As for the latter reason, don’t overlook the chance to be a research subject; it’s a window into the future of optometry and a live tutorial on research methodologies which will aid you in practical assessments and your dissertation.
Other Resources: Beyond the Ivory Tower
The study of optometry extends beyond the university’s walls. Embrace the wealth of knowledge from professional bodies and CET articles. They’re like guidebooks in less formal attire, offering answers and tips to refine your clinical prowess. These guides are usually more reader-friendly than the many textbooks that you may come across and provide applied use of the topics you have covered.
Trust me, it is important to know and understand the principles behind the test, but in the qualified world, it is much better to know how to do the tests, interpret and explain the results than be able to explain the process of how it occurs to a doctorate level!
Utilise these books as little nuggets of information to aid your practice, whilst picking up extra information that may impress your academic lecturers and supervisors.
Summary
In essence, the path to enhancing your optometry education is paved with these hidden gems. Apply them wisely, and they’ll serve you well into your pre-registration period and as you step into the professional world.
If you found this article useful, please consider sharing on your social media accounts or via email to your friends. You can also be notified of new content by subscribing to The Eye Care Advocate below. To help support the continue the ongoing growth of The Eye Care Advocate, you can also Buy Me a Coffee.
Leave a Reply