Okay, so far my new studying methods are producing results *crosses fingers*. I read over what was lectured that day and then I keep on making study guides for them. By the time the exams rolls around, I have already read the material more than twice. Repetition is everything!
So far our exam schedule has been one exam every other week, and two exams ever other week. But after this week...it will be 2 exams and proficiences EVERY WEEK. Increase stress levels and pre-hypertensive state??? YES. Ironically, we are learning to measure our blood pressure, and carotid bruits in clinical medicine lab. I have experience measuring blood pressure already, but for the purpose of this lab, they way SCCO teaches you will prepare you for the exact way that they want you do it for for the BOARDS.
My blogs will be short and straight forward for the next couple of weeks, due to the hectic schedule. Please ask me any questions! I will try to comment back as soon as possible!!! Happy September!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Optometry admissions Interviews
I received this comment awhile back and I thought I would answer it. I apologize for not answering in a timely manner!
"hi! how were your interviews when applying to schools? overall were they daunting? more comfortable than you anticipated? how many per school? how did you prepare?"
I only applied to two schools. I got an interview with the school of my choice, which was SCCO. The other school I applied to was UHCO. I only applied to UHCO for my parents.
SCCO Interviews
Very difficult interview compared to most optometry schools. The reason for this is because they have an academic criteria and a interview criteria that composes your overall score for admission into the school., They are seeking well rounded students who are not only academically capable of completing optometry school, but are socialable, compassionate, and well-spoked students/doctors.
I would say it was daunting for me. It took me 3 weeks to prepare for this interview. I went to an Admissions workshop at SCCO in the summer to help guide me, with the types of questions and how to answer questions in a specific format. I had my family and boyfriend tape me in a mock interview with them so that I could view my body language, facial expressions, tonality, posture, and overall presence. Always remember to smile! I went over numerous potential questions and wrote out my answers, and would recite them in a mirror. I also did a lot of research about both schools I applied to; a lot of questions can arise from here.
On the day of my interview, I was very nervous at the beginning, but once I felt comfortable, I took control of the conversation, and I felt at ease and was no longer nervous.
At UHCO, I heard a lot of rumors. A true one that I know, is that their interviews are not as challenging as SCCO. SCCO is known for having difficult interview processes. UHCO, most likely if you get and interview, you get in, 51% chance. Their interviews are more of conversations about yourself.
In my interview at SCCO, I was asked an ethical questions and questions about professionalism.
You want to wear a suit, ladies and gentlemen. You want to bring your best and look your best. Have fun, but remain calm and professional. Know and research the school you are applying to, this is expected of you.
I hope this helps!
"hi! how were your interviews when applying to schools? overall were they daunting? more comfortable than you anticipated? how many per school? how did you prepare?"
I only applied to two schools. I got an interview with the school of my choice, which was SCCO. The other school I applied to was UHCO. I only applied to UHCO for my parents.
SCCO Interviews
Very difficult interview compared to most optometry schools. The reason for this is because they have an academic criteria and a interview criteria that composes your overall score for admission into the school., They are seeking well rounded students who are not only academically capable of completing optometry school, but are socialable, compassionate, and well-spoked students/doctors.
I would say it was daunting for me. It took me 3 weeks to prepare for this interview. I went to an Admissions workshop at SCCO in the summer to help guide me, with the types of questions and how to answer questions in a specific format. I had my family and boyfriend tape me in a mock interview with them so that I could view my body language, facial expressions, tonality, posture, and overall presence. Always remember to smile! I went over numerous potential questions and wrote out my answers, and would recite them in a mirror. I also did a lot of research about both schools I applied to; a lot of questions can arise from here.
On the day of my interview, I was very nervous at the beginning, but once I felt comfortable, I took control of the conversation, and I felt at ease and was no longer nervous.
At UHCO, I heard a lot of rumors. A true one that I know, is that their interviews are not as challenging as SCCO. SCCO is known for having difficult interview processes. UHCO, most likely if you get and interview, you get in, 51% chance. Their interviews are more of conversations about yourself.
In my interview at SCCO, I was asked an ethical questions and questions about professionalism.
You want to wear a suit, ladies and gentlemen. You want to bring your best and look your best. Have fun, but remain calm and professional. Know and research the school you are applying to, this is expected of you.
I hope this helps!
Phew!
First midterm of second year--->success! Studying a little bit everyday does pay off. I think that was the least stressed I have ever been since I started optometry school for an exam!!! It felt great! I went out, I baked a cake, worked on a slideshow, watched some netflix movies, etc. :)
The rest of this week has felt like a vacation to me, minus going to school. I guess because this weekend is labor day weekend, so I feel a little lazy. I have still been studying for the next midterm. I actually look forward to studying this weekend! Sounds nerdy, but it's nice to just study at your own pace without having to drive to school and sit in lectures.
In clinical methods II lab, we have added the evaluations of phorias and vergences using risley prisms. At first, I was a bit nervous and confused about the process. Everything is always difficult at first, for example retinoscopy. Initially, retinoscopy was very difficult to learn. Now I can ret someone is about 3-5 minutes, depending on their RX. Practice is everything!
I hope everyone enjoys their Labor day weekend!
The rest of this week has felt like a vacation to me, minus going to school. I guess because this weekend is labor day weekend, so I feel a little lazy. I have still been studying for the next midterm. I actually look forward to studying this weekend! Sounds nerdy, but it's nice to just study at your own pace without having to drive to school and sit in lectures.
In clinical methods II lab, we have added the evaluations of phorias and vergences using risley prisms. At first, I was a bit nervous and confused about the process. Everything is always difficult at first, for example retinoscopy. Initially, retinoscopy was very difficult to learn. Now I can ret someone is about 3-5 minutes, depending on their RX. Practice is everything!
I hope everyone enjoys their Labor day weekend!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Hello sensory vision...
So our first exam of hundreds, is on Wednesday at 9AM next week. It's covering practically 95.3% of Ch.8 on Sensory Vision. If you look at the book...it's practically a 1/4 of the whole chunky book! It's outrageous! I've been studying and reviewing since the SECOND day of school, but I read over the study guide questions today...let's just say I should STUDY not review, LOL.
I've studied in my boyfriend's car today, while he was washing and waxing it. I actually get a lot done reading in the car, more than on the couch! You should try it some time! Okay, back to studying!....
I've studied in my boyfriend's car today, while he was washing and waxing it. I actually get a lot done reading in the car, more than on the couch! You should try it some time! Okay, back to studying!....
Brought my boyfriend to class...
So, I brought my boyfriend to school last last Friday. Being a small class, everyone knows who's a student and who is not. Of course, my classmates would look at him oddly, or stop and ask him if he was a new student, in a joking manner of course. It was a long 3 hours of lecture, with 10 minute breaks in between. He brought a laptop to go online, but of course...our school doesn't have wifi! I brought the ethernet cable for him, but our row was malfunctional. All we had left to rely on was my classmate's wifi, which died after the first hour of lecture, LOL. So he learned about phorias and tropias....LOL.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Second Year!!!!
Hello everyone! It has been an awesome summer vacation! I hope y'all had a great one as well!
I had three jobs this summer, went back home for a few weeks to visit my parents, ventured around Orange County and attained my SoCal sun-kissed tan :)
School started on Monday, and it's been a slow week, but it will pick up rapidly. I started studying a little bit, because I don't want to feel behind.
Our class has hosted a Mentor-Mentee dinner for the first years, Class of 2014! It's a great even to get to know your mentors and mentees as well as other colleagues.
Here are some photos:
I had three jobs this summer, went back home for a few weeks to visit my parents, ventured around Orange County and attained my SoCal sun-kissed tan :)
School started on Monday, and it's been a slow week, but it will pick up rapidly. I started studying a little bit, because I don't want to feel behind.
Our class has hosted a Mentor-Mentee dinner for the first years, Class of 2014! It's a great even to get to know your mentors and mentees as well as other colleagues.
Here are some photos:
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Hello June!!!
Happy Summer everyone! I have been missing in action ever since school has been let out for summer, can you blame me? I feel so alive and happy to be stress free! Although, I find myself still wanting to learn and be on campus. I actually have been on campus 6-8 times since school has let out, believe it or not. :) I have been a part of a research study for dry eye patients. You are compensated for your time and learn more about the subject matter of your own eyes. I just can't stay away from school. I want to hopefully refract a lot of my no-SCCO friends over the summer to make sure I don't forget over the summer. It's funny how once you learn a skill, you want to constantly practice it so you can master it. I associate it with learning to play the piano. When I first learned to play, I couldn't stop practicing.
Most of my classmates are traveling for the summer. This is our only summer break so...I suggest you do the same. As for me, I am trying to find work and learn as much as I can. I am also trying to RELAX and just take in the beauty of life. I will fly back home to TX towards the middle of the summer, but for now, I just want to work. :)
If you have any questions at all please leave it in the comments box! I will be sure to repsond quicker since I have nothing to study :p
Most of my classmates are traveling for the summer. This is our only summer break so...I suggest you do the same. As for me, I am trying to find work and learn as much as I can. I am also trying to RELAX and just take in the beauty of life. I will fly back home to TX towards the middle of the summer, but for now, I just want to work. :)
If you have any questions at all please leave it in the comments box! I will be sure to repsond quicker since I have nothing to study :p
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