Did any OPT have any doubts going in?

[AVkidd]

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Hey,

I was wondering if any optometrists had any doubts going into Opt School? if so, how do you like your profession now? I'm Applying this year and already have interviews at NOVA and SCO. I'm pretty sure ill get into one if not both of them. I don't know if i really wanna go tho. Ive shadowed a lot and I'm not 100% sure that i want to do it. Its not that i dislike the this kind of work, its just that i cant really see myself working in an office or doing labor work, so i chose what seems realistic, reasonable, and includes social interaction.

Thanks for anyone that posts

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Hey,

I was wondering if any optometrists had any doubts going into Opt School? if so, how do you like your profession now? I'm Applying this year and already have interviews at NOVA and SCO. I'm pretty sure ill get into one if not both of them. I don't know if i really wanna go tho. Ive shadowed a lot and I'm not 100% sure that i want to do it. Its not that i dislike the this kind of work, its just that i cant really see myself working in an office or doing labor work, so i chose what seems realistic, reasonable, and includes social interaction.

Thanks for anyone that posts

If you know now that you don't want to do this... by all means run the other way. School is hard enough to get through when you do love what you're doing. I can't imagine going through what I am now if I didn't have the "light" at the end of the tunnel. (Of course, I myself am just assuming that I'll like it when I get into the "real world".) You have very little invested in the process right now (ie not gigantic student loans) so you can walk away and chalk it up as a learning experience.

Of course... I hope some doctors chime in saying that they love their job and wouldn't do it any other way if they started over. I need to hear that right now... school sucks.

 

[KHE]

If you know now that you don't want to do this... by all means run the other way. School is hard enough to get through when you do love what you're doing. I can't imagine going through what I am now if I didn't have the "light" at the end of the tunnel. (Of course, I myself am just assuming that I'll like it when I get into the "real world".) You have very little invested in the process right now (ie not gigantic student loans) so you can walk away and chalk it up as a learning experience.

Of course... I hope some doctors chime in saying that they love their job and wouldn't do it any other way if they started over. I need to hear that right now... school sucks.

I love my job, but I would have done some things differently if I had to do it over.

Sorry. 1 out 2 ain't bad. 😛

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I love my job, but I would have done some things differently if I had to do it over.

Sorry. 1 out 2 ain't bad. 😛

Some things differently as in not going to optometry school?

 

[xmattODx]

Hey,

I was wondering if any optometrists had any doubts going into Opt School? if so, how do you like your profession now?

I didn't have any doubts upon going to optometry school. By the end of year 2, however...

I would assume most people, while in the midst of the doldrums of school, begin to have some doubt about their choice. My doubts were not about optometry per se but more about what I could accomplish as an optometrist.

If you're not entirely sold on the idea of optometry I would strongly discourage you from going to optometry school. I doubt you'll find a passion for optometry while studying physiological optics. Take a year off. Figure things out and then apply.

 

[docwatson]

I didn't have any doubts upon going to optometry school. By the end of year 2, however...

I would assume most people, while in the midst of the doldrums of school, begin to have some doubt about their choice. My doubts were not about optometry per se but more about what I could accomplish as an optometrist.

If you're not entirely sold on the idea of optometry I would strongly discourage you from going to optometry school. I doubt you'll find a passion for optometry while studying physiological optics. Take a year off. Figure things out and then apply.

I think most ODs find that they are most discouraged a year or two out of school. With the prospects of working for someone else like a cheap OD or an arrogant, condescending OMD, or working commercial isn't bad enough, the prospects of buying a practice or opening up cold with huge school loans hanging over one's head, it doesn't look good does it? 🙁

In a perfect world, if the salary part and owning one's own destiny were taken care of, practicing optometry and just plain helping people would be wonderful wouldn't it?

Not complaining here. If you knew my life you would know I've sacrificed tremendously. Optometry is certainly not a perfect profession and it's sad that it could be changing dramatically in the next couple of decades. Students are not told by their school about the OD oversupply and the tough life after school because of large student loans because clearly it would affect the enrollment numbers. It's not just a matter of working hard and you will succeed. I enjoy optometry because I like to help people, but all the extras that go along with owning a practice is really hard. Optometry ranks very high in satisfaction, but "business owner" ranks nearly dead last.

 

[sniklegem]

I need to hear that right now... school sucks.

I second that.
2nd year is the most difficult for my school, so we are all kinda beat down at the moment.

BUT... if you aren't 100% sure, try to figure out why you aren't feeling all-in. If you start school, get $30000 in debt, bust your butt for, well, nothing, then I can almost guarantee you'll be kicking yourself for not getting out while you could. OPTOMETRY ROCKS, though. 😀

Good luck on your upcoming decisions!

 

[longlashes]

..

 

[xmattODx]

I think most ODs find that they are most discouraged a year or two out of school.

Just to be clear I was talking about the end of my second year of school.

 

[docwatson]

Just to be clear I was talking about the end of my second year of school.

Yeah I know.

I wanted to emphasize that the worst part is only yet to come... 😉 😀

 

[docwatson]

Can you elaborate on how the optometry profession will change in the next decade? What are the extras that go along with owning your own private practice?

Hard to say about the next 10 years. I'm talking about 10 years and further into the future...

There are too many ODs, too many proposals for new schools (thus increasing the numbers of ODs), too much commercialism, numbers of private practices are shrinking, high student debt, I could go on and on. The worst part of it all, the AOA. They do a great job of keeping us afloat, i.e. worring about "now", but they don't do much about our future. Ask them about the above questions and see what response you get.

There is a good discussion on ODwire.org about these very subjects. We are a proactive group over there willing to take on anyone to improve our profession! 😀

 

[jefguth]

I had my doubts going in, especially since I had another offer in hand to attend pharmacy school in Canada....tuition was 1/3rd of what ICO is! Did I make the right choice? I think so.

Do I still have doubts? Absolutely, and I'm sure I'll have many more over the next few years. Yes I'm sure there will be challenges, but at least I have an idea what they might be - Stay Informed, keep your ear to the ground, ODwire is an excellent resource despite the negativity shared by the OD's there. I mostly enjoy what I've been doing so far, though I must say I really can't stand learning the particulars of VT, especially the anal-retentive recording system.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I second that.
2nd year is the most difficult for my school, so we are all kinda beat down at the moment.

Amen sister. Physiological optics is the bane of my existence. (Exam in T-8.5 hours!) An exam (or two) every week from now until Thanksgiving isn't helping either.

 

[cpw]

hang in there guys... second year is the WORST ! It's all down hill after that. I remember having my head on my pharm notes at 1am , looking at my best friend and saying " and just think.. we're paying them 18k a year to do this to us"

 

[stonegoat]

I think optometry is a great profession. As an optometrist, you will help people everyday, and occasionally save their vision or their life. I agree the business side of things can be very challenging...more so than the clinical side, that's for certian!
If you want to graduate and find an awesome job in private practice, please come to Canada. We need more ODs. I will be advertising for an associate in the new year, and spoke with 2 ODs with their own private practices who have been looking for associates for over a year. Neither has had even an inquiry. The one practice is booked 4 months in advance, so an associate would be hopping, and EASILY make over 120k/year (1 $ Canadian = 1 $ US).
Seriously....and Canadian students who are studying in the US please come back...you will be glad you did.

JP

 

[xmattODx]

Where in Canada are these practices and where have they been advertised?

 

[stonegoat]

Hello,

The practices have been advertised on the BCAO web site and their publication. I mentioned only two, as I talked with the doctors this past weekend (they are in North Vanvouver and Terrace). There are many other opportunities. I graduated in 2003, and some of the people that were trying to find associates then, are still looking....that's a fact.
Look on the Universtity of Waterloo's web page for some job listings, and on provincial association web sites for additional listings.
Feel free to PM me for those who are considering Canada.

JP

 

[longlashes]

..

 

[luvthemhogs]

The one practice is booked 4 months in advance, so an associate would be hopping, and EASILY make over 120k/year (1 $ Canadian = 1 $ US).

JP

$1 canadian > $1 US currently 😎

 

[stonegoat]

Yes, ODs interested in Canada will have to take the "Canadian National Board of Examiners in Optometry" exam. The exam is held over three days, and costs about $3000. It's a tough exam, moslty because of so many outdated or ambiguous questions, but if you prepare you will do fine. I realize the exam is a major "bottleneck" for those who may otherwise comtemplate coming to Canada, but don't let it deter you.

JP

 

[eyestrain]

hang in there guys... second year is the WORST !

I thought first year was a little worse. Second year was bad for about three weeks, but otherwise pretty slack. But yeah, after that, all downhill.

 

[sniklegem]

Amen sister. Physiological optics is the bane of my existence. (Exam in T-8.5 hours!) An exam (or two) every week from now until Thanksgiving isn't helping either.

Physiological optics...? Interesting. How'd it go? 🙂

hang in there guys... second year is the WORST ! It's all down hill after that. I remember having my head on my pharm notes at 1am , looking at my best friend and saying " and just think.. we're paying them 18k a year to do this to us"

I gotta remember that! I think I found a new quote for my AIM away message! 1am on the other hand, nah. I like my sleep too much!

I thought first year was a little worse. Second year was bad for about three weeks, but otherwise pretty slack. But yeah, after that, all downhill.

Where did you graduate from? I think my friends and I are kind of in denial at the moment. It hasn't been "too" bad, but, yet, it really has. 8 classes is enough to make anyone freak out!

 

[sgreen]

If you want to graduate and find an awesome job in private practice, please come to Canada. We need more ODs.

I'm glad someone has brought this up. I keep reading about an oversupply of ODs on this forum, but I wasn't sure if this was necessarily reflective of the situation in Canada! If someone could provide any more information on the current job prospects for a Canadian OD, that would be great.

 

[eyestrain]

Where did you graduate from? I think my friends and I are kind of in denial at the moment. It hasn't been "too" bad, but, yet, it really has. 8 classes is enough to make anyone freak out!

THE Indiana University School of Optometry

 

[sniklegem]

Haha, THE Indiana University School of Optometry?

Nice. But THE Ohio State University School of Optometry might get a little mad at ya for stealing their THE. 😆

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Physiological optics...? Interesting. How'd it go? 🙂

Yes, Physiological Optics. A fancy term for Eye Movements and Assorted Goodness. The test was - interesting. Pretty tough to be honest. I'm happy with my score, but there are a lot of people who weren't. It was a horrible week though... on par with finals week.

 

[sniklegem]

Yes, Physiological Optics. A fancy term for Eye Movements and Assorted Goodness. The test was - interesting. Pretty tough to be honest. I'm happy with my score, but there are a lot of people who weren't. It was a horrible week though... on par with finals week.

On par with finals week? Geez. This coming week is going to be killer for us; October has 2 tests a week, plus quizzes every week, practicals every 2 weeks, blah blah blah.

And I didn't realize Pacific (better term than PUCO? heheh) emphasized the 21 point exam... interesting.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

On par with finals week? Geez. This coming week is going to be killer for us; October has 2 tests a week, plus quizzes every week, practicals every 2 weeks, blah blah blah.

And I didn't realize Pacific (better term than PUCO? heheh) emphasized the 21 point exam... interesting.

Yeah - the good old 21 pt. 😳 We might be the only school still doing it? I'm not sure. PUCO - yeah - people get a kick out of saying that. We just call it Pacific. 😎

Good luck in October. We too are faced with at least one exam per week... until Thanksgiving. Looking forward to Christmas already!

 

[cunikki]

hahah what exactly is a 21 point exam?? i kinda sympathesize with you guys.. it seems like all second year at my school is 2 tests a week at least and many weeks with 1-3 quizzes and proficiencies on top of it... although at scco we have this big proficiency called 12 station .. less than 2 weeks away.. which is kinda the proficiency that kicks all others butts.. but hopefully after this quarter things will all be good 🙂 definitely looking forward to thanksgiving and the end of all the bad stuff 🙂

 

[prettygreeneyes]

hahah what exactly is a 21 point exam?? i kinda sympathesize with you guys.. it seems like all second year at my school is 2 tests a week at least and many weeks with 1-3 quizzes and proficiencies on top of it... although at scco we have this big proficiency called 12 station .. less than 2 weeks away.. which is kinda the proficiency that kicks all others butts.. but hopefully after this quarter things will all be good 🙂 definitely looking forward to thanksgiving and the end of all the bad stuff 🙂

http://www.oep.org/VTAids/21PointExaminationQuickRefe.pdf... a relic from years gone by. I imagine our checkout is similar to your 12 station proficiency- the big one that combines all clinical skills to make sure you are competent before taking on your own patients in clinic. It is in March -so until that is over - all of second year will suck. Ahh... remember... that which does not kill you can only make you stronger.