Seven Essential Tips for Optometry Students, From a WO Student Board Member

Editor’s note: Ashlee Payne is a student advisory board member for Women In Optometry. Each student on the board was recently asked, “what advice would you give to your first-year self?”

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! We are in school to learn. While some preceptors at clinic may seem intimidating, they’re there to help. Regardless of whether you think your question is dumb, if you truly don’t know the answer, or you can’t find it in your notes, ask anyway.

This simple and common piece of key advice is often overlooked, it is most students’ biggest hurdle. It won’t be long until midterms and finals roll around, so use your time wisely in order to help avoid burnout, especially during those weeks.

Form study groups and make friends. We are all in the same boat, so find some friends that enjoy what you enjoy and you all can keep each other balanced and sane. Your friend group in school will also be the ones you can bounce cases off of in a few years when you’re in practice and would like a second opinion!

Know yourself, make a routine that works for you and remember to take breaks. And most importantly, enjoy the journey! School is a “necessary evil” to get to the other side. Why not enjoy it along the way?

If you’re like me and don’t prefer meal-prepping, it can help to know what you’re going to make and having go-to recipes that yield leftovers. It takes one decision out of your day and saves time— and money!

Do. not. cram. Especially the material that’s clinically relevant. It will come up again and again, so committing it to long-term memory the first time around will save energy in the future.

Make a folder in your note taking app of useful mnemonics or other helpful ways that you learned core material. This is crucial— information will be brought back up all the way through studying for the boards. A lot of the material builds on each other and you’ll see it again in other classes— so learn it!