05 September 2024
Shopping for the perfect bowl for instant noodle dinners. Packing your entire wardrobe – despite the impending change in seasons. Stockpiling notebooks, revision cards, and highlighters. Starting university is a blur of rapid change: new faces, new subjects, new skills, maybe even a new saucepan.
As a helping hand to the first-year optometry students who will be embarking on their journeys in the coming weeks, OT asked three of the AOP’s student representatives to share their reflections on first year and their tips.
Bonnie Lam, AOP Councillor representing student optometrists and chair of the AOP student committee
When I first started the course, I remember feeling...
Excited and overwhelmed. The excitement of beginning a new chapter in my life came with the challenges of adapting to university life and living in a new place.
One thing that helped me in those initial weeks was...
Connecting with fellow students through the Peer-Assisted Study Sessions programme. Being able to share experiences and tips with others who were going through the same transition made it much easier to settle in.
The biggest learning curve for me...
Was mastering the practical skills required in the clinical labs. While the theory was challenging, getting comfortable with the hands-on techniques, like using the retinoscope or performing fundus exams with a Volk lens, took time and practice.
Stay curious and patient
My wellbeing must as a student was...
Maintaining a balanced routine. This includes regular exercise, making time for social activities, and ensuring I have moments to relax and recharge, especially before exams. Having a structured schedule helped me manage stress and stay focused.
A stand-out moment from my first year was...
My first successful patient examination during our practical sessions. It was incredibly rewarding to apply what I’d learned in a real-world setting and see the direct impact on a patient’s vision.
By the end of the year, I felt...
Much more confident in my abilities and settled into my role as an optometry student. The initial nerves had transformed into a sense of accomplishment, knowing that I had successfully navigated the challenges of the first year. I caught up with friends and family – maintaining good social relationships can help you succeed in your studies.
My advice to new optometry students is...
Stay curious and patient. The learning curve can be steep, but persistence and practice are essential. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek help when needed, and take advantage of all available resources. Remember to enjoy the journey – balance your studies with time for yourself and build friendships. The connections you make and the experiences you gain will be just as valuable as your academic achievements.
Eduard Matusa, AOP student representative for City St George’s, University of London
When I first started the course, I remember feeling...
Very excited about my new journey. Optometry was something I wanted to do whilst studying for my first degree, so happiness was at an all-time high.
One thing that helped me in those initial weeks was...
Searching for social media groups in order to connect with other people who were going to be joining the same course.
The biggest learning curve for me...
Understanding how complex the anatomy of the eye is and the whole visual system in general. This required a lot of memorisation, as well as application, which was challenging to begin with.
My wellbeing must as a student was...
Trying to maintain a balanced routine, including regular exercise, studying, and socialising with my new university mates in order to avoid any burnout.
Stay organised and on top of the material from the beginning
A stand-out moment from my first year was...
Smashing my first full routine examination. It was a great accomplishment for me and something that I will always remember.
By the end of the year, I felt...
So amazed about how much I have learned and how much better my practical skills have become. I now feel much more confident in my skills and knowledge and connected to the optometry community as a whole.
My advice to new optometry students is...
Stay organised and on top of the material from the beginning. You hear this all the time, but many students tend not to follow it. The amount of content covered in the first year alone is a lot and can get very overwhelming if you don’t keep on top of everything. Lastly, enjoy the ride, build your skills, your relationships with peers, and always be dedicated to learning.
Hifsah Qamar, AOP student representative at Aston University
When I first started the course, I remember feeling...
Nervous, as Birmingham was an unfamiliar city to me. Over time, I grew more comfortable with the city. I was also anxious about meeting the people on my course. When I met them during Welcome Week, I realised that most of us were alone and all nervous about starting university.
One thing that helped me in those initial weeks was...
Attending different society events. This allowed me to meet new people with similar interests to me and make friends outside of my university course.
The biggest learning curve for me...
Came when reflecting on my performance in the mid-sessional written exams, which took place in January. I did well, but not as well as I had hoped. This was due to the fact that I fell behind on lectures in the months prior to the exams, so when it came to studying, I was still going through some of the content for the first time. I learnt from my mistakes and in the months leading up to the summer sessional exams, I made sure I was not behind on content. In the end, I was able to achieve a solid set of results that I was happy with.
Really make the most of your time at university, because time really does fly by as a student
My wellbeing must as a student was...
To always make personal time for myself. Balancing university and work life with personal life can be challenging, however, it’s important to keep that balance for your mental wellbeing. My best advice for maintaining this balance would be to stay organised and keep on top of lectures so there is less pressure on yourself when it comes to exam season. I personally treated university like a job; I would spend my time at university from 9am to 5pm, and then I would switch off and focus on activities that I enjoy outside of my studies.
A stand-out moment from my first year was...
Receiving my results transcript for the year. When seeing my results, I knew that my hard work had paid off in the end, and I was very happy.
By the end of the year, I felt...
Much more relaxed compared to when I first started university. Life at university is very different from College/Sixth form, as you have to be more independent, but over time you learn to adjust.
My advice to new optometry students is...
Really make the most of your time at university, because time really does fly by as a student. Don’t be afraid to join the different societies at your university that you might be interested in. This is the best way to make friends with similar interests as you outside of your course.
I also highly recommend that you get a job in a High Street optical practice as early as possible. This is something I regret not doing during my first year. This will help you observe what you learn in university being put into practice. It will also be valuable during your pre-registration year. If you have a good working relationship with the optometrists at your practice, they are also sometimes willing to show you interesting cases they come across in practice.
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