Optometry
I Chose Salus
My name is Sakshi Singari. I am currently a second-year Optometry student in the traditional program. A typical day in my life is busy as it consists of studying for classes and working with a third-year to co-manage patients at The Eye Institute (TEI) for an eight-hour shift once a week until clinical readiness occurs in March where us, the second years, takes care of the patients ourselves twice a week.
My schedule usually fluctuates every week, but here is a schedule for a busy Tuesday:
6:30 a.m.: Wake up and prepare for the day.
8:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.: Two classes for two hours each.
12:00 - 12:15 p.m.: Lunch break and get ready to drive to the clinic (about 15 minutes drive from the University).
12:30 - 8:00 p.m.: Get to the clinic to start seeing patients. Then a break in between from 3:00 - 4:30 until the evening shift starts back at 4:30 p.m.
8:00 - 8:30 p.m.: Can be at the clinic for longer depending on the complexity of the patients, or can get out earlier as well if done for the day if the suite chief allows (which they are usually very understanding). Drive back home.
8:30 p.m: Eat dinner and destress while watching a TV show.
9:30 - 11:00 p.m.: Watch lectures to prepare ahead or revise notes for an upcoming exam or quiz.
On non-clinic days, I wake up around the same time and we usually have labs in the morning until 12:00 p.m., followed by a class in the afternoon until 3:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. for my section. For others, it consists of going to the TEI on Fridays or other days instead of Tuesdays. The schedule varies between the different sections as their lab and clinic days differ. All lecture classes we take together but the lab and clinic days differ for each section.
To help me relax, I try to go to the gym, and hang out with my friends/family on these days or on the days when we have a longer break. I am a Clinical Skills TA, thus I try to help out first-year students on Saturday mornings. I am also a member of the National Optometry Student Association (NOSA), which assists students who require assistance for their practicals by assigning upperclassmen to mimic a mock practical day. In addition, I make every effort to volunteer and support the community.
You must learn effective time management skills because optometry school is extremely demanding. Although it will be difficult at times, the effort will be worthwhile as at the end of the day you are going to be doing what you love, serving patients and helping preserve vision. You must learn to manage your mental health as well as your physical health as it can become challenging because of the workload. Pennsylvania College of Optometry is not easy, but it prepares you well for the real world.
