Is Optometry a Mistake for Me?

[VisualSpirit]

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Okay, it's pretty late at night and I'm about to reveal a lot about myself. I want honest, open, and straight forward feedback to my issue. I need to know if what I'm doing is right...
here goes....

I'm 29 this month. I majored and graduated with a Computer Information Systems degree in 2003 but I spent the last 7 years working in Marketing and Promotions within the liquor industry. Why? Because I fell into it as a promo model (the pretty girls that dress like sluts while offering you drink tickets at the club to try the newest flavored vodka). Anyway, I became so good at it, that I ended up landing a $70K position with Bacardi Rum (whom also owns Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Dewars Scotch, etc...major company).

I thought I had arrived. Then, 4 months later, I was laid off. Rather than let that devastating news actually devastate me, I immediately switched gears and started school again to become an optometrist. Why optometry? Because when I was 15, I worked a summer as an assistant with an opthalmologist and thought it was interesting. Also, it seemed to me that healthcare is the way to go in economically tough times. Also, my father and 3 brothers are all doctors, so why not me?

So, I embarked on the healthcare journey. However, I'm now into my 2nd semester of just pre-reqs and I'm failing all my classes (bio 1, chem 2, and phys 1). Not only am I failing, but I also have no desire to do anything about it. Science has NEVER come naturally to me. I'm one of those people who wants it done but doesn't really care why or how it gets done, you know?

I feel all sorts of pressure from my doctor family, my lack of career success, and the busted economy to "make it" in life. I have this notion that the only way to do that is to become a doctor of some sort.

Now that I'm into the process, I'm having many second thoughts and I want desperately to quit.....but the problem is, I don't feel I have any alternatives or other choices. I feel stuck. The industry I worked so hard in (marketing) is a dead end. What else can I do? What else am I supposed to do?

I suppose my main question is, Should I continue on this path to optometry and just try to suck it up and deal? OR Should I resign myself to the possible reality that I am just not smart enough to get through this process and find another healthcare career path? If so, which one?

I'm literally in tears as I write this because everyday at school feels like agony to me. Please, be honest, but be kind.

 

[benjygh]

this is a tough one but not very tough. A lot of people who come to Optometry often come because they care for it and not because it's a last resort. I have read many people on this forum speak ever so passionately about Optometry and rightly so because it is something they have and are investing so much by way of time, effort and money to achieve so the thought of you questioning raises tough questions.

I personally don't think having a family of doctors or working with an Ophthalmologist as a teenager is enough reason to pursue this lifelong career and from your post it seems like you agree with me. Since you are having issues with the science courses already I imagine Optometry school will be even more frustrating because of the go go go nature of the program.

That said the decision is really yours to make. There are of course less intense healthcare programs like nursing and Physician assistant programs which are not any easier but can be customized to suit you. you can start at a community college and take the courses gradually and before long you will be done. If you feel you want to work in healthcare you have options but because of the nature of Optometry I feel like you need to think about it carefully first before making any form of commitment you are not sure about.

 

[optics2020]

Well...I believe you just have to be more motivated and really find good reasons why you want to do optometry. Just because your brothers and father are doctors is really not a reason you should use to become one yourself. Since you are in school why not try speaking to a college adviser or a professor who can help you brainstorm and figure out what career might fit you best, you might even figure out a few good reasons to become an optometrist or another type of physician.

 

[thanotoriousfob]

You say you majored in Computer information systems, is that something you enjoyed learning? What about continuing your education with a masters of some sort to top of your CIS degree? I'm probably not saying anything you haven't already thought of but that is something I would look into if I was in your situation. If you don't like science too much and are failing right now without too much care, it is probably not a good idea to go to optometry school. Getting accepted alone will present frustrating challenges if you don't have the drive for it.
I know what it feels like to be in this sort of rut, and the best advice I received is to not quit on yourself even when things are not going your way. Good luck!

 

[oceanblue392]

Why dont you take a couple of days (or really, as many as you can afford) to shadow an optometrist. It seems like you really dont know what youre getting yourself into as far as what the profession entails save the summer job 15 years ago (which isnt exactly the same since you worked in opthalmology).

Its really hard to jump into any career blindly. I think that once you have a better understanding of what it is optometrist do - the extent of their care and practice - then you may or may not have more motivation to continue this path. If the science classes are hard for you now, I can confidently say that optometry school will most definitely be more difficult then the classes you are currently enrolled in, plus the work load is going to be much greater. Find your motivation, or lack of motivation and figure out what you still have a passion to do.

Its not too late to change professions. One of my cousins (i have 2 in the optometry field, both of whom got into the field while they were in their 30s) is just finishing up at PCO...he was in computer business, got discouraged a few years back after being laid off (2001 recession), and seeing that our family owned an optical, and another cousin enrolled in NOVA optometry, decided to also pursue optometry.

 

[Absolute Vision]

I can empathize with some of your frustrations. There were times when I didn't know if returning to the classroom to be a student was such a good idea. However, you have figure out if being an OD is something you want to do, or it's because it's a last resort. If it is then you'll need to have feasible plan that includes many short term goals to reach your ultimate goal of becoming an OD. I'm currently finishing off my last pre-req for optometry school...I sometimes find it difficult to sit there for a 90 min lecture, and then 3 hrs of lab, and I'm older than you. However, I always tell myself that it's just a small stepping stone to my ultimate goal of becoming an OD. So, like the previous poster mentioned if you're having extreme difficulties concentrating/completing your pre-reqs, it will definitely be more challenging in optometry school. Good luck.

 

[KHE]

I'm 29 this month. I majored and graduated with a Computer Information Systems degree in 2003 but I spent the last 7 years working in Marketing and Promotions within the liquor industry. Why? Because I fell into it as a promo model (the pretty girls that dress like sluts while offering you drink tickets at the club to try the newest flavored vodka). Anyway, I became so good at it, that I ended up landing a $70K position with Bacardi Rum (whom also owns Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Dewars Scotch, etc...major company).

Interesting.....😳

So, I embarked on the healthcare journey. However, I'm now into my 2nd semester of just pre-reqs and I'm failing all my classes (bio 1, chem 2, and phys 1). Not only am I failing, but I also have no desire to do anything about it. Science has NEVER come naturally to me. I'm one of those people who wants it done but doesn't really care why or how it gets done, you know?

That alone is to me, enough of a reason to NOT pursue optometry. It's not so much that you're not passing entry level science courses, but your lack of passion or desire to do well. Part of being a good optometrist (or clinician of ANY type) is a strong background in the scientific method and a genuine sense of scientific curiosity. Often times, people enter health careers for the reasons you listed: Pay is good, relatively stable in tough economic times, family pressures etc. etc. Well, I'm here to tell you that that is NOT enough.

Now that I'm into the process, I'm having many second thoughts and I want desperately to quit.....but the problem is, I don't feel I have any alternatives or other choices. I feel stuck. The industry I worked so hard in (marketing) is a dead end. What else can I do? What else am I supposed to do?

You need to sort of pick yourself up by the bootstraps a little bit here. I would suggest that you pay a few bucks and start with a career counselor to help identify fields that will play to your strengths. Perhaps even contact someone at your alumni office from whatever college you graduated from and they may be able to set you up with someone for a reduced or possibly even no charge rate on campus.

I suppose my main question is, Should I continue on this path to optometry and just try to suck it up and deal? OR Should I resign myself to the possible reality that I am just not smart enough to get through this process and find another healthcare career path? If so, which one?

I'm literally in tears as I write this because everyday at school feels like agony to me. Please, be honest, but be kind.

This isn't about sucking up and dealing or thinking you're not "smart" enough. This is about admitting that your lack of passion for science makes you a poor candidate to be an optometrist. That doesn't make you bad, or stupid, or anything like that. It just means that this field is not the right for you.

I would start with the career counselor before you flounder further.

 

[bobbio]

If you're already failing your pre-req classes then the outlook of optometry doesn't seem very promising, especially since you mentioned that you have no desire to do anything about it.

I think you should take a little time do a little more research to see what fields truly interest you, that way you'll have a little more motivation in class. It sounds like your decision to change careers was out of haste...and haste makes waste. Just curious, did you not like your previous occupation? Did you try looking for another job?

 

[VisualSpirit]

Thanks to everyone who has responded.

You are all right in one way or another. You've all said things that I know deep down but didn't want to admit. Thank you for your honesty.

To answer one poster's question about my last career....yes, I looked for another job, but it was all dead end. Plus, this was around the time the economy was beginning to fail, so I thought I was being proactive by immediately switching to healthcare.

Here's where I stand now, I'm going to pick up the pace and get through the courses I'm currently in (I dropped Bio because I was failing way too much in there and the drop date is tomorrow). But I'm still in Phys 1 and Gen Chem 2 (which if I get my head back in the game, I can surely pull my grade up to a B, borderline C).

The reason I'm going to stay in these classes and complete them is because I am sure that I want to have a career in healthcare, so I will undoubtedly need the science pre-reqs.

I will speak with a counselor at the university about matching me with a more appropriate healthcare career in line with my natural skill sets and desire.

Family of doctors and busted economy BE DAMNED! I will make SOMETHING of myself, goshdarn it! Lol...(see? atleast I'm smiling now).

Anyway, I'll keep you posted, thanks again for the advice and time.

Upward and Onward...

 

[blysssful]

Good luck! 🙂

 

[GrkOpt]

I understand exactly how you feel, and honestly as much as you probably do not want to hear this..there is no easy answer that anyone except yourself can give you...

Optometry school is not an easy program...It can be very intense and sometimes the only thing that will keep you pulling through it will be your desire or passion for the goal of being an OD. I too had a great deal of pressure on me to become a Doctor of any sort from my family and i am currently 27 now applying to optometry school because I had to find out for myself that this was MY dream not anyone elses. I tried many other programs but I found myself giving up because the passion wasnt there.

There are many healthcare professions, although not neccesarily with the "Dr" title, that are rewarding and could be the path for you. Keep researching and shadowing...a few that i looked into that you may find of interest were...Respiratory Therapist, Physicians Assistant, and Nursing....Nursing actually opens alot of doors that I did not know about... Do your research before you jump into this...you dont want to waste time on something that is not in your heart. Take it from me.

Goodluck!! Make the decision for yourself not your family even though its hard.

 

[Od_IT]

Do some soul-searching before committing to anything, otherwise you might find yourself wasting more time.

 

[SportsJunkie25]

Please listen to my (and others) advice: DO NOT GO INTO OPTOMETRY (or any other healthcare profession)!!! You will be doing yourself a disservice if you continued on the healthcare track. You said it yourself, science doesn't come naturally to you. Now, this isn't a problem if you have a DESIRE to do something about it, but you don't. This is a problem.

Like KHE said, this doesn't make you a bad person; it just makes you a non-science person. Everyone doesn't have to like science. Choose something you're genuinely interested in. Trust me. Now, I did well in my undergrad classes (b/c I have an excellent memory) but I was only memorizing stuff b/c I had to...I never really wanted to. Once you get into optometry school, you're going to have to eat and breath high-level science classes and if you're not interested, it's painful. Who wants to spend every waking hour studying something their not interested in? I don't...and you won't either.

Life is too short! Don't make yourself do something you subconsciously know isn't for you. If you're doing poorly in your classes right now, this is an indication that you're on the wrong path. If you were interested in the material, you wouldn't be doing so poorly. There's something for everyone...go soul search and find it. It may take a while but please don't continue on this path!

GOOD LUCK!! (if you want to PM me...feel free.)

Okay, it's pretty late at night and I'm about to reveal a lot about myself. I want honest, open, and straight forward feedback to my issue. I need to know if what I'm doing is right...
here goes....

I'm 29 this month. I majored and graduated with a Computer Information Systems degree in 2003 but I spent the last 7 years working in Marketing and Promotions within the liquor industry. Why? Because I fell into it as a promo model (the pretty girls that dress like sluts while offering you drink tickets at the club to try the newest flavored vodka). Anyway, I became so good at it, that I ended up landing a $70K position with Bacardi Rum (whom also owns Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Dewars Scotch, etc...major company).

I thought I had arrived. Then, 4 months later, I was laid off. Rather than let that devastating news actually devastate me, I immediately switched gears and started school again to become an optometrist. Why optometry? Because when I was 15, I worked a summer as an assistant with an opthalmologist and thought it was interesting. Also, it seemed to me that healthcare is the way to go in economically tough times. Also, my father and 3 brothers are all doctors, so why not me?

So, I embarked on the healthcare journey. However, I'm now into my 2nd semester of just pre-reqs and I'm failing all my classes (bio 1, chem 2, and phys 1). Not only am I failing, but I also have no desire to do anything about it. Science has NEVER come naturally to me. I'm one of those people who wants it done but doesn't really care why or how it gets done, you know?

I feel all sorts of pressure from my doctor family, my lack of career success, and the busted economy to "make it" in life. I have this notion that the only way to do that is to become a doctor of some sort.

Now that I'm into the process, I'm having many second thoughts and I want desperately to quit.....but the problem is, I don't feel I have any alternatives or other choices. I feel stuck. The industry I worked so hard in (marketing) is a dead end. What else can I do? What else am I supposed to do?

I suppose my main question is, Should I continue on this path to optometry and just try to suck it up and deal? OR Should I resign myself to the possible reality that I am just not smart enough to get through this process and find another healthcare career path? If so, which one?

I'm literally in tears as I write this because everyday at school feels like agony to me. Please, be honest, but be kind.

 

[VisualSpirit]

I understand exactly how you feel, and honestly as much as you probably do not want to hear this..there is no easy answer that anyone except yourself can give you...

Optometry school is not an easy program...It can be very intense and sometimes the only thing that will keep you pulling through it will be your desire or passion for the goal of being an OD. I too had a great deal of pressure on me to become a Doctor of any sort from my family and i am currently 27 now applying to optometry school because I had to find out for myself that this was MY dream not anyone elses. I tried many other programs but I found myself giving up because the passion wasnt there.

When you say many other programs, which ones? If you don't mind me asking?


There are many healthcare professions, although not neccesarily with the "Dr" title, that are rewarding and could be the path for you. Keep researching and shadowing...a few that i looked into that you may find of interest were...Respiratory Therapist, Physicians Assistant, and Nursing....Nursing actually opens alot of doors that I did not know about... Do your research before you jump into this...you dont want to waste time on something that is not in your heart. Take it from me.

Thanks SO much for these leads...I will start looking into them. When you say that nursing opens a lot of doors that you did not know about, what do you mean?

Goodluck!! Make the decision for yourself not your family even though its hard.

Thank you. 😳

 

[VisualSpirit]

WOW! I don't really know what to say to this....I'm really at a loss now.

I need some time to digest this.

Please listen to my (and others) advice: DO NOT GO INTO OPTOMETRY (or any other healthcare profession)!!! You will be doing yourself a disservice if you continued on the healthcare track. You said it yourself, science doesn't come naturally to you. Now, this isn't a problem if you have a DESIRE to do something about it, but you don't. This is a problem.

Like KHE said, this doesn't make you a bad person; it just makes you a non-science person. Everyone doesn't have to like science. Choose something you're genuinely interested in. Trust me. Now, I did well in my undergrad classes (b/c I have an excellent memory) but I was only memorizing stuff b/c I had to...I never really wanted to. Once you get into optometry school, you're going to have to eat and breath high-level science classes and if you're not interested, it's painful. Who wants to spend every waking hour studying something their not interested in? I don't...and you won't either.

Life is too short! Don't make yourself do something you subconsciously know isn't for you. If you're doing poorly in your classes right now, this is an indication that you're on the wrong path. If you were interested in the material, you wouldn't be doing so poorly. There's something for everyone...go soul search and find it. It may take a while but please don't continue on this path!

GOOD LUCK!! (if you want to PM me...feel free.)

 

[IndianaOD]

The great thing is you haven't sunk a dime into optometry school. You still have TONS of options. I just saw a news report that there is a shortage of 200,000 nurses! If you want job security there it is and it is much less science intensive (more hands on) than optometry school.

Personally, I think nursing opens a lot of doors. Not only in patient care but tons of admin positions as well. For example, our local ER is managed by a NP.

Good luck.

 

[Oogilily]

And remember that optometry school doesn't get an easier. If you are struggling in undergrad, you WILL struggle very badly in optometry school (unless you are in a really hard undergrad program). Taking 20+ credit hours is a huge adjustment and they are tough courses to boot. So I would seriously think if you want to dedicate your life to this. There are many that say they are dedicated, and every year there are dropouts out of optometry school. And these were people that worked harder than everybody but just weren't up to it. So, before you invest a butt load of money, make sure this is what you want to do. And you must get your grades up if you want a chance! But, right off, after reading your post, I would advise to maybe look at other doors to open. I'd go out and do some shadowing before you decide anything.