optometry is stressing me out! felt the need to rant

[eyeluveyez]

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Hi everyone,

I don't know what I should do. But lately I been feeling discouraged because my mom reminds me everyday that optometry is very competitive, I think she underestimate my capability. And believe or not, I think one of the optometrists that I shadow is hinting me that I shouldn't go into this field because every time when he interact with his patient about me shadowing, he alway mentions "shadowing to see if she don't wasn't want to go into optometry or don't want to be an optometrist" the way he says, I just feel like its so negative, i rather much prefer him saying "to see the wonderful, cool thing about being an optometrist" or something positive, or is it just me?

But anyways everyone needs a plan B, right..so I am just wondering if going to the uk (united kingdom) is going to be competitive? more competitive than in US? I know if I decide to go there then I have to live there for the rest of my life. I need to believe that there is hope somewhere. I feel like everyone on this website is very smart (or smarter than average), and OAT is my other main concern because all my life, I'm bad at taking standardize test like ACT, SAT, or even FCAT ( I think is because I have test anxiety or something) What should I do?

I know it's not easy, I have to study really really hard, but trust me no matter how much I study, I will still do bad on the OAT..I don't know how people are getting good, decent scores. Today while I was doing the OAT practice tests, I was almost getting every question wrong. How are you suppose to study for random questions?, im wondering if those people are good at guessing ? LOL

I'm not expecting for anyone to hold my hand or expect the whole process to be an easy ride.. but am I the only one feeling like this (confused clearly)? How do you know when to give up or not?

Any information for optometry schools in UK will be soo helpful. Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[KHE]

Hi everyone,

I don't know what I should do. But lately I been feeling discouraged because my mom reminds me everyday that optometry is very competitive, I think she underestimate my capability. And believe or not, I think one of the optometrists that I shadow is hinting me that I shouldn't go into this field because every time when he interact with his patient about me shadowing, he alway mentions "shadowing to see if she don't wasn't want to go into optometry or don't want to be an optometrist" the way he says, I just feel like its so negative, i rather much prefer him saying "to see the wonderful, cool thing about being an optometrist" or something positive, or is it just me?

But anyways everyone needs a plan B, right..so I am just wondering if going to the uk (united kingdom) is going to be competitive? more competitive than in US? I know if I decide to go there then I have to live there for the rest of my life. I need to believe that there is hope somewhere. I feel like everyone on this website is very smart (or smarter than average), and OAT is my other main concern because all my life, I'm bad at taking standardize test like ACT, SAT, or even FCAT ( I think is because I have test anxiety or something) What should I do?

I know it's not easy, I have to study really really hard, but trust me no matter how much I study, I will still do bad on the OAT..I don't know how people are getting good, decent scores. Today while I was doing the OAT practice tests, I was almost getting every question wrong. How are you suppose to study for random questions?, im wondering if those people are good at guessing ? LOL

I'm not expecting for anyone to hold my hand or expect the whole process to be an easy ride.. but am I the only one feeling like this (confused clearly)? How do you know when to give up or not?

Any information for optometry schools in UK will be soo helpful. Thanks for reading 🙂

Huh? Have you actually taken the OAT yet?

You don't want to have the paralysis of analysis. What you should probably do is just go and take the damn thing and see how you do. Then you'll have a much clearer picture on where you want to go.

 

[Commando303]

Hi everyone,

I don't know what I should do. But lately I been feeling discouraged because my mom reminds me everyday that optometry is very competitive, I think she underestimate my capability. And believe or not, I think one of the optometrists that I shadow is hinting me that I shouldn't go into this field because every time when he interact with his patient about me shadowing, he alway mentions "shadowing to see if she don't wasn't want to go into optometry or don't want to be an optometrist" the way he says, I just feel like its so negative, i rather much prefer him saying "to see the wonderful, cool thing about being an optometrist" or something positive, or is it just me?

But anyways everyone needs a plan B, right..so I am just wondering if going to the uk (united kingdom) is going to be competitive? more competitive than in US? I know if I decide to go there then I have to live there for the rest of my life. I need to believe that there is hope somewhere. I feel like everyone on this website is very smart (or smarter than average), and OAT is my other main concern because all my life, I'm bad at taking standardize test like ACT, SAT, or even FCAT ( I think is because I have test anxiety or something) What should I do?

I know it's not easy, I have to study really really hard, but trust me no matter how much I study, I will still do bad on the OAT..I don't know how people are getting good, decent scores. Today while I was doing the OAT practice tests, I was almost getting every question wrong. How are you suppose to study for random questions?, im wondering if those people are good at guessing ? LOL

I'm not expecting for anyone to hold my hand or expect the whole process to be an easy ride.. but am I the only one feeling like this (confused clearly)? How do you know when to give up or not?

Any information for optometry schools in UK will be soo helpful. Thanks for reading 🙂

It's easy for someone to recommend to you, over the Internet, that you not feel discouarged and instead go full-steam-ahead into your dreams, but, of course, the reality is people are affected by what those around them say. You haven't much shot of switching parents, but if you're uncomfortable with the demeanor of the doctor you're shadowing, I'd suggest you terminate the relationship and move on.

As to the O.A.T., I understand exams are only so good at indicating how well someone will perform in a given capacity, but know that you will be taking tests throughout optometry school, after which you'll have board exams, then at least one licensing exam; you're not out of the woods just because you ace the O.A.T. My general advice to you, then, is, if you feel you're a poor test-taker, do not to treat the O.A.T. as that one thing that's left standing in your way; regard it as the obstacle you'll face again and again, throughout your remaining academic career. Take courses, study with others, lock yourself in a room with books — find whatever method works for you, then use it.

 

[Jason K]

I just feel like its so negative, i rather much prefer him saying "to see the wonderful, cool thing about being an optometrist" or something positive, or is it just me?

I commend you on shadowing an OD to see what it's like. I won't conceal the fact that I probably share your OD's hesitation about recommending optometry school to anyone right now. Go to my thread entitled "Is optometry school a good investment?" and you'll get some varying opinions on the matter. Optometry school is a long road and it's very challenging, in a good way. But when you get out, if your career options are few, your pay is low, and you have trouble paying your enormously high student loan debt, you may be very unhappy. I think most people who go into optometry right now want to force positivity into the scene. In other words, they don't want to see what's actually there, they want to see what they want to be there based on their impression of what their goals are. I fell into that trap and I'm paying for it now. Just do some serious research by talking with as many ODs as you can, and preferably newer grads who will be able to offer you a realistic impression of what to expect. Older guys know what's going on, but they established themselves in a very different time when optometry was a very different profession. Sorry to be a downer, but just trying to give you a dose of reality.

 

[Bioflare]

I commend you on shadowing an OD to see what it's like. I won't conceal the fact that I probably share your OD's hesitation about recommending optometry school to anyone right now. Go to my thread entitled "Is optometry school a good investment?" and you'll get some varying opinions on the matter. Optometry school is a long road and it's very challenging, in a good way. But when you get out, if your career options are few, your pay is low, and you have trouble paying your enormously high student loan debt, you may be very unhappy. I think most people who go into optometry right now want to force positivity into the scene. In other words, they don't want to see what's actually there, they want to see what they want to be there based on their impression of what their goals are. I fell into that trap and I'm paying for it now. Just do some serious research by talking with as many ODs as you can, and preferably newer grads who will be able to offer you a realistic impression of what to expect. Older guys know what's going on, but they established themselves in a very different time when optometry was a very different profession. Sorry to be a downer, but just trying to give you a dose of reality.

No offense but you should stop bumping old posts just to advertise your thread.

 

[Jason K]

No offense but you should stop bumping old posts just to advertise your thread.

I think we have different ideas of what this forum is supposed to be used for. I consider it a place to exchange ideas, opinions, and advice. The information in my thread could provide the OP with information relating directly to his concerns relating to his entry into optometry. I also point people to other threads when appropriate. I'm not "advertising" anything, merely sharing information which I believe could be helpful - maybe it's considered, maybe it isn't, but that's not really my concern.

 

[Rhodopsin]

Don't stress yourself out about it. I did, and wound up miserable because of it. I stressed out about my "low gpa" (which wasn't all that low- 3.45), absorbed my life in optometry, studied endlessly for my OAT, felt useless because I thought I'd never get in. Well, I got into my top choice school and am looking back wondering what I was so worried about.

What's your gpa? And, I think that your optometrist you were shadowing is focusing more on the negatives of optometry because chances are you already know many of the positives. You already know that you'll get to chat with people all day, you'll get to work with eyes and optics, you're aware of the fact that your pay will be very good (depending on where you live of course- I'm not trying to start a debate over how well optometrists get paid), you know you'll be able to set your own hours for the most part. The negatives are harder to spot, and to be honest they're much more important to know before going for a career! There are a few possible dealbreakers, and those are extremely important to be aware of (even more important than the positive things!) Is it going to bother you that you won't be able to prescribe medication/ do surgeries? Some may view that as a negative, so it could be a dealbreaker. (personally I see it as a positive, but it's all based on perception)

Don't let anyone tell you that you can do it! As far as the OAT goes you should do fine because you've already taken those courses in university. PM me if you want some tips on the test- I was freaked out over taking it (just like you are) and wound up with a 370/400 (98.7th percentile)

 

[Shnurek]

Don't stress yourself out about it. I did, and wound up miserable because of it. I stressed out about my "low gpa" (which wasn't all that low- 3.45), absorbed my life in optometry, studied endlessly for my OAT, felt useless because I thought I'd never get in. Well, I got into my top choice school and am looking back wondering what I was so worried about.

What's your gpa? And, I think that your optometrist you were shadowing is focusing more on the negatives of optometry because chances are you already know many of the positives. You already know that you'll get to chat with people all day, you'll get to work with eyes and optics, you're aware of the fact that your pay will be very good (depending on where you live of course- I'm not trying to start a debate over how well optometrists get paid), you know you'll be able to set your own hours for the most part. The negatives are harder to spot, and to be honest they're much more important to know before going for a career! There are a few possible dealbreakers, and those are extremely important to be aware of (even more important than the positive things!) Is it going to bother you that you won't be able to prescribe medication/ do surgeries? Some may view that as a negative, so it could be a dealbreaker. (personally I see it as a positive, but it's all based on perception)

Don't let anyone tell you that you can do it! As far as the OAT goes you should do fine because you've already taken those courses in university. PM me if you want some tips on the test- I was freaked out over taking it (just like you are) and wound up with a 370/400 (98.7th percentile)

Yea same here. I was stressed I wouldn't get in anywhere because of my GPA (3.2) but I got in everywhere just like the OD I shadowed told me. He was like, "You'll get in...c'mon its not rocket science." Now I feel as though optometry is pretty easy to get into. Its just a matter of getting into the school you WANT to.

 

[DrSpontaneouz83]

Yea same here. I was stressed I wouldn't get in anywhere because of my GPA (3.2) but I got in everywhere just like the OD I shadowed told me. He was like, "You'll get in...c'mon its not rocket science." Now I feel as though optometry is pretty easy to get into. Its just a matter of getting into the school you WANT to.

You said it..it's easy to GET IN but hard to stay IN..especially come third year when you're studying for hard classes, in clinic, and studying for the Boards...good luck with that!

 

[Shnurek]

You said it..it's easy to GET IN but hard to stay IN..especially come third year when you're studying for hard classes, in clinic, and studying for the Boards...good luck with that!

This is true, especially since I've heard that optometry school is about 80% medical while in real practice you will probably only be doing about 20% medical. But hey it is all necessary exposure/experience for you and your future patients.