Second Thoughts

[ODin2009]

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I've been reading this website for awhile...

I have been accepted to OD school for this Fall.

I am getting nervous and worried about going now because I am just not sure how realistic it is to pay back student loans. Some people are saying 20 years, 30 years, 10 years and I heard of one who paid it off in 7 years.

Is this career really worth it?

I know its getting a bit late now to think of this ... but I am wondering if it is better to pursue something else which wont cost this much.

Can someone please give me a honest and realistic answer?

 

[InvitroDerm]

I work in a call center for ten bucks an hour. It sucks. The debt is an investment so that the job that you do for the rest of your life is stimulating, enjoyable, etc. The caveat, obviously, is that if it is not what you want to do....well, you are pretty much screwed. Also, when you are in a job that you like, your coworkers will probably be the kind of people you like being around. You'll see a lot of threads on this site about docs who wish they were the UPS guy straight from high school so that they wouldn't have 24 hour shifts, high debt, and job they don't really like. In the end, only you can answer your question for yourself.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

I've been reading this website for awhile...

I have been accepted to OD school for this Fall.

I am getting nervous and worried about going now because I am just not sure how realistic it is to pay back student loans. Some people are saying 20 years, 30 years, 10 years and I heard of one who paid it off in 7 years.

Is this career really worth it?

Is it? It's probably impossible for other people to answer this question for you. Yes, the debt is a large burden to think about, but if the profession is something that you truly enjoy, I think walking in and out of work happy is a priceless quality.

After working during my year off, I have seen how numerous people are unhappy with their career choices. I just don't want to be working in and out of large research labs (a career that my major prepared me for) and feeling empty inside.

Personally, if you're really unsure, I would try to defer the acceptance and find out WHY you're going to school. Pursue or at least look into that "something else" and see if it makes you happy...no one else can decide this for you.

 

[Meibomian SxN]

Personally, if you're really unsure, I would try to defer the acceptance and find out WHY you're going to school. Pursue or at least look into that "something else" and see if it makes you happy...no one else can decide this for you.

Exactly. You could become a filthy rich millionaire business owner and be unhappy enough to commit suicide over the stock market. You could spend a quarter of your life pursuing a prestigious medical profession such as a neurosurgeon and end up hating every second of your career.

Take the time to follow some ODs around and get first hand experience in seeing if this is what you want. Schools often let you defer a year so I would take the time now to figure out your future.

 

[RTM]

I'm sure you have some interests. Explore those. I've heard it said that those who can make their hobbies pay never have to work a day in their lives. . .

I'm an OD, I like it. I pursued the OD track that most appealed to me, hospital-based optometry, and I have never looked back.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[forerx]

I agree with you very much!