Trying to go to optometry school as a non math/science person = bad idea?

[SeeTheSun]

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So i really want to be an optometrist, i feel like i would enjoy the career, however my downfall is that i suck at math/science. I try very hard in math/science classes and end up with a C or maybe B if i'm lucky or the teacher is lenient. Sometimes i just feel like i shouldn't try to go to optometry school because my grades in science/math classes end up being so low. I'm transferring in the fall and switching majors to Bio in order to be able to complete my optometry prereqs. i only have math/science courses left, i feel like im just going to fail hard. taking 1-2 math science classes at a time has been super hard, and now actually majoring in it seems like it could be to much. My main thing here is that sometimes i really feel like i'm reaching for something that really doesn't fit me. Its something i want, but is it something thats right for me? thats what i'm trying to figure out. If anyone has advice/words of wisdom that would be great, i really appreciate it.

 

[imemily]

Check out the OAT, optometry admissions test. This is the kind of stuff you will most likely be dealing with in the science courses you would take for your major.

Here is the link: https://www.ada.org/oat/oat_sample_test.pdfhttp://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sourc...s8Yjs67tA&sig2=5weCwaPuQE_0f2QBPav0xg&cad=rja

 

[DawgOD]

I would take an anatomy course if I were you.. it wouldn't be as in depth as in optometry school, but if you can do well in that course, I wouldnt throw optometry as a career out of the window.

 

[KHE]

So i really want to be an optometrist, i feel like i would enjoy the career, however my downfall is that i suck at math/science. I try very hard in math/science classes and end up with a C or maybe B if i'm lucky or the teacher is lenient. Sometimes i just feel like i shouldn't try to go to optometry school because my grades in science/math classes end up being so low. I'm transferring in the fall and switching majors to Bio in order to be able to complete my optometry prereqs. i only have math/science courses left, i feel like im just going to fail hard. taking 1-2 math science classes at a time has been super hard, and now actually majoring in it seems like it could be to much. My main thing here is that sometimes i really feel like i'm reaching for something that really doesn't fit me. Its something i want, but is it something thats right for me? thats what i'm trying to figure out. If anyone has advice/words of wisdom that would be great, i really appreciate it.

If you suck at math and science, optometry is not going to be for you. You are reaching for something that doesn't fit you.

That's like saying "I suck at writing but I really really want to be a newspaper editor."

It's not going to work. Fine a career that plays to your strengths.

 

[Commando303]

So i really want to be an optometrist, i feel like i would enjoy the career, however my downfall is that i suck at math/science. I try very hard in math/science classes and end up with a C or maybe B if i'm lucky or the teacher is lenient. Sometimes i just feel like i shouldn't try to go to optometry school because my grades in science/math classes end up being so low. I'm transferring in the fall and switching majors to Bio in order to be able to complete my optometry prereqs. i only have math/science courses left, i feel like im just going to fail hard. taking 1-2 math science classes at a time has been super hard, and now actually majoring in it seems like it could be to much. My main thing here is that sometimes i really feel like i'm reaching for something that really doesn't fit me. Its something i want, but is it something thats right for me? thats what i'm trying to figure out. If anyone has advice/words of wisdom that would be great, i really appreciate it.

Why are your math and science grades low ("B," by the way, isn't bad)? Do you dislike the areas? Do you have a difficult time grasping concepts? Are you a bad test-taker? Are the two simply things in which you have no interest?

If you hate these subjects, there's a reasonable chance you'll abhor the field of optometry, as well, both during school (more than a fair amount of math/science will compose the O.D. curriculum) and after. What is it about the profession that draws you toward it?

 

[Bioflare]

SeeTheSun, take KHE's words into account. There are other professions that will suit your strengths, but if you feel you want to learn more about optometry just ask your local optometrist. It never hurts to get other peoples opinion (well you know that since you're here asking).

I can tell you that I'm a Science student, but most of my grades were predominately B's and C's. Very rarely did I get A's, but then it can be attributed to your University or College. Math has never been my strong point, but it hasn't stopped me from getting into optometry. Realistically you can ask how often optometrists use "complex" math in their daily duties. I did however find that my OAT score was much higher than people who had much higher gpa's than me.

If you're really interested you could try studying for the OAT but I don't recommend investing money unless you're really sure. Explore what excites you, and look for fields that fall under those categories! Technology excites me, I tried out that field it was fun, but not satisfying. I will however continue it in my spare time 🙂

Anyways best of luck.

 

[netmag]

I think it could also depend on the specific science area. For example, I don't think it's uncommon for people who aren't Chem majors to struggle with chem or not particular care for it. I kind of agree with DawgOD. If you suck at human based biology or just hate it, then that might be a big problem.

 

[SeeTheSun]

Why are your math and science grades low ("B," by the way, isn't bad)? Do you dislike the areas? Do you have a difficult time grasping concepts? Are you a bad test-taker? Are the two simply things in which you have no interest?

If you hate these subjects, there's a reasonable chance you'll abhor the field of optometry, as well, both during school (more than a fair amount of math/science will compose the O.D. curriculum) and after. What is it about the profession that draws you toward it?

Thanks for all of the replies everyone, it really gives me a lot to think about. and @ commando, what really draws me toward optometry is that i remember the experience of finally getting contacts for the first time, it was amazing. But yeah, i'm thinking that its prob a good idea to not try and force myself into a career that really doesn't fit me. i guess i have the rest of the summer to decide. thanks again everyone, really gives me a lot to think about.

 

[Commando303]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone, it really gives me a lot to think about. and @ commando, what really draws me toward optometry is that i remember the experience of finally getting contacts for the first time, it was amazing. But yeah, i'm thinking that its prob a good idea to not try and force myself into a career that really doesn't fit me. i guess i have the rest of the summer to decide. thanks again everyone, really gives me a lot to think about.

The reason, then, sounds to me a lot akin to, "I just want to help people." As others also have said, seriously consider whether you want to do this because you'll enjoy the profession and the knowledge it will require, or are simply to pursuing a vague idea you have.

I feel it would be awesome to be an actor. However, I'm not willing to work at it, I have no talent for it, and I bear only a loose concept of what the job actually would entail.

 

[DawgOD]

I feel it would be awesome to be an actor. However, I'm not willing to work at it, I have no talent for it, and I bear only a loose concept of what the job actually would entail.

funny u say that.. in just one year of school, i have heard quite a few optometrists say that they feel like actors in a sense that they have to adapt to each patients personality and needs.

 

[epalacios]

Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents:
I have an undergraduate degree in Business Management, so I am not a science/math guy. However, I became a licensed optician, and developed a passion for eye care. It was this avenue that sparked my interest in optometry. By completing prerequisites part time in math and science while working full time, I was able to handle the work load. Unfortunately, it ended up taking me two and a half years to do what should have been 2 or 3 semesters!
I finished the prereqs with mostly B's and a couple of A's, and now I'm taking the Kaplan online OAT prep, with an OAT test date of October 1.
I guess my opinion is that if you really like optometry, and the math/science prereqs scare you, lighten the course load. It's better to add a semester or two to your undergrad than to bomb out and not end up getting an interview due to poor grades.

 

[SeeTheSun]

Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents:
I have an undergraduate degree in Business Management, so I am not a science/math guy. However, I became a licensed optician, and developed a passion for eye care. It was this avenue that sparked my interest in optometry. By completing prerequisites part time in math and science while working full time, I was able to handle the work load. Unfortunately, it ended up taking me two and a half years to do what should have been 2 or 3 semesters!
I finished the prereqs with mostly B's and a couple of A's, and now I'm taking the Kaplan online OAT prep, with an OAT test date of October 1.
I guess my opinion is that if you really like optometry, and the math/science prereqs scare you, lighten the course load. It's better to add a semester or two to your undergrad than to bomb out and not end up getting an interview due to poor grades.

Thank you for the advice i really appreciate it! ^_^