Study time in OD school

[jc812]

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On average, how many hours do you study for OD school per week? 😀

 

[rkl_OD2be]

On average, how many hours do you study for OD school per week? 😀

Depends...How many hours are you awake 🙄 ?

Seriously, it depends on how many exams you have that week...Most weeks, you have 2-4 exams, so you're pretty much studying all the time...

This depends on how much you've got going outside of school...Several of my classmates would go to the library after class was done for the day, and get most of their studying done during the day...Their typical day at school & studying was 7:30am (or so) until 5:00 (or so)...That schedule works well for some (but, you guessed it, not for me)...

I've got a wife & two kids (4 & 6 years old), so I would typically go to class from 7:30ish until class was over (noon some days, 5:00 others). Then I'd spend 3-4 hours with the wife & kids at home, then after the family "dinnertime", I'd return to school and study for 3-6 hours (usually, depending on the impending exam load)...I never kept track of *EXACTLY* how much time I was studying (it would probably depress me if I had), but 40 hours a week or so is a reasonable ballpark...

The most important thing is to find a schedule that works for you, and stick to it...Don't kid yourself, getting through optometry school is *NOT* easy...You *WILL* spend a significant amount of your time studying...

 

[still_confused]

there are only 3 times in OD school

STUDY TIME: 60%
SLEEP TIME: 10%
PRACTICE TIME: 30

 

[drbizzaro]

On average, how many hours do you study for OD school per week? 😀

some people can pull off near-perfect results with very little effort and last minute cramming... others needs to study their butts off for weeks...

it all depends on what you're capable of...

 

[eyestrain]

some people can pull off near-perfect results with very little effort and last minute cramming... others needs to study their butts off for weeks...

it all depends on what you're capable of...

This is so true. If you work your butt off in undergrad and study all the time, guess what, you'll be doing the same or more in optometry school. If you make it through undergrad without needing to spend all your time studying, you'll probably have quite a bit of free time. Personally, I thought I had about as much, if not more, free time in optometry school compared to undergrad. I think most of that had to do with the fact that optometry school was almost all tests and a limited amount of busy work. In my experience, undergrad had so much busy work (like writing a daily one or two-page responses to some 30 page article about Plato or Freud) that it felt like it took more time than optometry school. But I hate writing papers and don't mind studying for tests, so take it FWIW.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

there are only 3 times in OD school

STUDY TIME: 60%
SLEEP TIME: 10%
PRACTICE TIME: 30

👍👍

My schedule exactly, with some minor fluctuations between study and sleep percentages depending on how many tests and practicals in a given week.

Looking back, I could have managed my time A LOT better during my first year, but I still did fairly well and managed to have a social existence outside of school. An important thing to remember is that everyone studies differently. Just because one of your classmates studies every waking hour for the upcoming exam, doesn't mean that if you don't, you'll fail. Likewise, that fun loving classmate that seemingly never picks up a book probably isn't the best role model either. Some people have to study more than others to achieve the same grade, and that's OK. Find what works for you, and stick to it.

Some changes I'll make for second year...

Study schedule
I really like the idea of a study schedule that you treat like a job, similar to what rkl_OD2be's classmates did. The problem with me was if I didn't have an upcoming test, I wasn't studying. So, I never got ahead in the material (and by ahead, I mean even looking at the lecture during the same week it was presented), and I'd always go into stress overdrive come exam time. I do alright under pressure, but I don't think my heart will hold up to another year of that!

Review materials
One other thing that I'm working on fixing is how I use review materials. This year, I often spent the days right before the exam making all of the review materials to study from (flash cards, tables, etc.). While making those aids was studying in a way, I rarely had adequate time to go through and actually USE the materials. So, I'm going to *try* to make them as I go along with the material, and hopefully will be able to use the time right before the exam to make sure I have everything down cold. (I really can't emphasize the word try enough here...)

 

[rkl_OD2be]

👍👍

Review materials
One other thing that I'm working on fixing is how I use review materials. This year, I often spent the days right before the exam making all of the review materials to study from (flash cards, tables, etc.). While making those aids was studying in a way, I rarely had adequate time to go through and actually USE the materials. So, I'm going to *try* to make them as I go along with the material, and hopefully will be able to use the time right before the exam to make sure I have everything down cold. (I really can't emphasize the word try enough here...)

This is *SO* true! I observed this myself in our A&P class...I'd work my a$$ off making the study material the night before the exam. By the time I was done, I'd be so tired of looking at the material I often wouldn't even run through the flashcards more than a time or two (*NO* way I had the material down cold, either)...When subsequent exams rolled around, I didn't even bother making the cards, I just crammed as much as I could (Consequently, I retained very little...This *WILL* haunt me when it is time to study for boards)...Clearly this is one area I, too, need to improve next year...

Speaking of boards...Anyone else in the Class of 2010 feel like a guinea pig for the *NEW* boards? To me, it makes *NO* sense to take the first board exam in March of the third year!!!

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Speaking of boards...Anyone else in the Class of 2010 feel like a guinea pig for the *NEW* boards? To me, it makes *NO* sense to take the first board exam in March of the third year!!!

I'm not very excited about the new boards either, but, if you look on the bright side, you'll have a little more of next summer to enjoy!

 

[blazenmadison]

On average, how many hours do you study for OD school per week? 😀

25hrs Mon-Fri, 12Hrs Sat-Sun: About 27hours +/- 5 (probably less)
Practice time takes a chunk of my studying time but that happens a week before practicals.

I am also trying to study pharm during the summer before my 2nd year. I don't do very well with so many classes and 7 finals in a week. I have to spread out my studying!

 

[jc812]

Though this many hours was what I expected, 5 hours a day seems like you never get a break. Do you have free time? =(

25hrs Mon-Fri, 12Hrs Sat-Sun: About 27hours +/- 5 (probably less)
Practice time takes a chunk of my studying time but that happens a week before practicals.

I am also trying to study pharm during the summer before my 2nd year. I don't do very well with so many classes and 7 finals in a week. I have to spread out my studying!

 

[WoodyJI]

Study schedule
I really like the idea of a study schedule that you treat like a job, similar to what rkl_OD2be's classmates did. The problem with me was if I didn't have an upcoming test, I wasn't studying. So, I never got ahead in the material (and by ahead, I mean even looking at the lecture during the same week it was presented), and I'd always go into stress overdrive come exam time. I do alright under pressure, but I don't think my heart will hold up to another year of that!

Review materials
One other thing that I'm working on fixing is how I use review materials. This year, I often spent the days right before the exam making all of the review materials to study from (flash cards, tables, etc.). While making those aids was studying in a way, I rarely had adequate time to go through and actually USE the materials. So, I'm going to *try* to make them as I go along with the material, and hopefully will be able to use the time right before the exam to make sure I have everything down cold. (I really can't emphasize the word try enough here...)

I'd like to echo what everybody's saying here. My experience first year was that I didn't put enough emphasis on the professional part of the phrase "professional school." (I was still treating it like school.) A lot of my classmates were either at the library or in class working essentially a "9 to 5." I lived close enough to the college that I didn't need a parking pass, so I'd show up when class started and go home afterwards...then do some "homework/studying" later. I learned that I couldn't rely on my smarts/instincts like in undergrad because optometry school involves so much more material for you to know. At this level, it's not about how smart you are--we're all smart--it's about how hard you can work/how much you can memorize or stay on top of, essentially.

I would also recommend making your study materials as you go along, which wasn't something that I really learned until the end of first year...I'd also recommend (you posting on an online forum and all) that you type your notes so that you can use word search on them later. When you buy Stedman's medical dictionary (or whatever) it'll likely come w/ a CD, which you can use to spell check your word documents. I found that to be an invaluable resource when I was studying. One of the pages I found really helpful for that was called "Flash Card Exchange." Lastly, I'd say collaborate with your classmates as much as possible. We did a lot of comparing notes/working together at OSU, and it really helped. Good luck!

 

[ODhopeful]

there are only 3 times in OD school

STUDY TIME: 60%
SLEEP TIME: 10%
PRACTICE TIME: 30

10% party/drinking time on top of that because I give 110% for everything i do

 

[blazenmadison]

Though this many hours was what I expected, 5 hours a day seems like you never get a break. Do you have free time? =(

it really depends on how well you absorb the material. some people barely study and get by and some people study all the time and still do poorly. most of my free time is during the beginning few weeks of the semester/quarter. but you can always make free time for yourself. 🙂

if you worked hard in undergrad, then expect to work harder in OD school.

 

[luckyfool]

this is more like a follow up question to all who posted previously.
how accurate is your undergrad gpa reflect your performance in optometry school? do you get the same kind of grades?

 

[prettygreeneyes]

this is more like a follow up question to all who posted previously.
how accurate is your undergrad gpa reflect your performance in optometry school? do you get the same kind of grades?

I think my undergrad GPA may have been a .1 or .2 higher than what I have so far in opt school, but they are still pretty close. The only difference is I worked very little in undergrad, and this past year in optometry school, I had to work my a$$ off to get those same grades.

 

[sniklegem]

I didn't have as much desire to memorize page after page of material as I did in undergrad... but I focused more on learning rather than cramming. You aren't going to pass boards by cramming!!

I'm sure 2nd year is going to come quicker than ever, and my philosophy on memorization will change. For now, though, I'm still sticking to my guns.

 

[eyestrain]

You aren't going to pass boards by cramming!!

You'd be surprised.

 

[sniklegem]

You'd be surprised.

Haha, I stand corrected. 😎

 

[nova2010]

I just finished my first year and did pretty well. I study a lot. I had a decent GPA in undergrad, then went to graduate school and got my masters in biology. I feel I had a very good understanding of the terminology and information we were given in the first year. Some didn't have a clue, but because they were good students, they caught on, too. I am amazed at the people that miss class. I missed only one day and felt guilty. Some miss 2-3 days a week and still manage to get decent grades. Just because someone is earning good grades doesn't mean they will go the distance once they get into practice. I do have to work harder than some for good grades, but I feel I also have developed a great work ethic. Some brag for being slackers and still getting by. I would not brag about that. Where's your pride for your profession. Posting such remarks only deminishes our profession. Go to class!!!

 

[blazenmadison]

I just finished my first year and did pretty well. I study a lot. I had a decent GPA in undergrad, then went to graduate school and got my masters in biology. I feel I had a very good understanding of the terminology and information we were given in the first year. Some didn't have a clue, but because they were good students, they caught on, too. I am amazed at the people that miss class. I missed only one day and felt guilty. Some miss 2-3 days a week and still manage to get decent grades. Just because someone is earning good grades doesn't mean they will go the distance once they get into practice. I do have to work harder than some for good grades, but I feel I also have developed a great work ethic. Some brag for being slackers and still getting by. I would not brag about that. Where's your pride for your profession. Posting such remarks only deminishes our profession. Go to class!!!

Well said!

There are a good number of slackers that get by in my class. They don't have the best work ethic.

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

On average, how many hours do you study for OD school per week? 😀

I worked about thrity hours a week at Target Optical. I actually did real work for about ten hours a week. Those other twenty were pretty much just sitting at a desk at Target Optical studying. I had a lucky situation, and just felt like a body to put in an optical, and worked the hours others didn't want.

 

[eyestrain]

I think you can read a powerpoint just as well at home as you can at school.

 

[eyelectric]

I think you can read a powerpoint just as well at home as you can at school.

I agree...if you find that you perform better by studying on your own as opposed to attending lecture, then why bother attending every lecture? Many times the students who attend just for the sake of attending have to find ways to keep themselves busy to avoid being bored; this can serve as a distraction to the rest of the class. I generally learn more during lectures than when studying by myself, however, this may not be the case for everyone.

 

[nova2010]

Good job!!! I do the same thing. I feel commiting yourself and going to class reflects the type of dr. you will be to your patients. Yes, I know a lot of it is powerpoint, but there is discussion a lot of the time which is helpful. I am in summer school and a lot of people skip, well, then they always call to find out what notes they need and what they missed. Get yourself up and go to class. Be a professional. There, I'm done. ha ha

 

[sniklegem]

Many times the students who attend just for the sake of attending have to find ways to keep themselves busy to avoid being bored; this can serve as a distraction to the rest of the class.

For example:

• one girl in my class likes to count the wooden panels on the wall
• we have a stare-er... he stares a lot... all the time
• one guy rocks his chair back and forth constantly and it rams people's legs
• one plays chess on his macbook
• several listen to their ipods
• others study for different classes
• some read the textbook for the class we are in
• personally, I like to look for typos on the powerpoint slides and make my study to-do list
• my friend thinks about what she is going to fix for dinner
• and EVERYONE counts how many times one particular professor says "basically" in a lecture period

 

[nova2010]

This doesn't even deserve a comment. I'm embarrassed for anyone who pretended to care about getting admitted to opt school, then, act like they don't care. So many others would love to have had the opportunity to be in opt school. Maybe there test scores weren't quite there, but I'll bet they would show more interest. I am proud of my work ethic and I go to class everyday. I pay a lot of $$$ and this is my future. Are you slackers going to tell your patients how many classes you skipped? Doubt it!!! I know I am getting a little crappy about this, but you have given an opportunity that many would love to have, quit taking advantage. Yes, you can study your power points at home just as well, but you are not there for the discussions. All of you not attending class, quit asking others for their notes, then. No one likes it. Am I growing up, or WHAT?!!!!!! ha ha

 

[eyestrain]

I don't think skipping a few classes means you don't care about optometry school. There are a lot of classes that I never skipped, but a few I skipped pretty often. Why? Usually because the prof. stood there reading his powerpoint for an hour. I don't need to be there for that. And as far as "discussion" goes, I don't recall a lot of that happening in most classes. A couple people would ask a question or two, but that's about it. If I'm able to get an A in a class that I skipped often, do I know the material any less than someone who gets an A while attending every lecture? I doubt it.

 

[hfpepperbean47]

For example:

• one girl in my class likes to count the wooden panels on the wall
• we have a stare-er... he stares a lot... all the time
• one guy rocks his chair back and forth constantly and it rams people's legs
• one plays chess on his macbook
• several listen to their ipods
• others study for different classes
• some read the textbook for the class we are in
• personally, I like to look for typos on the powerpoint slides and make my study to-do list
• my friend thinks about what she is going to fix for dinner
• and EVERYONE counts how many times one particular professor says "basically" in a lecture period

This is pure gold👍