I am so exhausted this week! I think I am still drained from studying for the biochem test last week. I started studying for the A&P exam on Monday, but...I'm still trickling in the notes. I stayed after class today to get tutored for Optics! It's a free service for students, but the tutors are the 2nd year interns and up. They get paid pretty decent. I feel a little better now in optics, but I still want to be confident, even though the exam is in a week. Never hurts to be prepared!
I looked at my schedule and I just rolled my eyes and sighed. A lot of tests coming up on top of Vision Expo weekend. Vision Expo is a convention where all the optical equipment companies, lens companies, frame companies, and Optometrists on the west coast gather. There are also CE courses available at the Vision Expo; some are free and students may attend as well. Majority of our class is going to the Vision Expo this year; it's in Las Vegas! Who would want to miss out on that?!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Another typical week...
So, I still have not memorized my schedule!!! I find myself pulling out the schedule that was given to us on orientation day, and double checking if I have a lab or not! It never hurts to check!
Practice Management
Oh man, practice management lab was fun this week! I still think that it's my favorite class! We played this board game called, Cash Flow. The game ties into the book you will have to read for the fall quarter, Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It is basically in a similar format to Monopoly + Life. You draw a card at the beginning of the game to choose your career; they range from Janitor to Lawyer. Each card has your month salary, expenses, income, mortage, debt (if any), etc. So the game is suppose to help simulate realistic scenarios with managing your money. It sounds boring, but it was fun! I wish th
at the lab was longer so we could play more; I was just gaining more income and assets!
Anatomy and Physiology
A&P lab, which I think is a pre-req for the incoming class of 2010, was interesting this week. We dissected a pig's heart and looked at a cadaver. I've dissected a lamb's heart before so I was not squimish at all. I was, however, a little anxious about the cadaver. This was my first time observing a cadaver! I got myself
worked up over nothing! The cadaver was a loan from UCI, and it was older. The skin was really dry and HAIRY!!! haha. That is the one characteristic that stayed in my mind, " eeww it is so HAIRY!"
We weren't allowed to take photos of the cadaver, but I did take a lot of photos of the heart. We need to study them for the lab practical at the end of the quarter for Dr. La Motte.
Lunch Hour
Today I just felt a lot more exhausted than usual! I guess it's from all the Wii Resorts games I've been playing at home, lol. BTW, it's pretty fun. So we have a student lounge on campus that consists of 2 ping pong tables, a pool table, a fuseball table, and an air hockey table. I posted some pictures from lunch just to show you guys what lunch time is like. We all just like to relax and enjoy our hour before going back to the lectures....lol.
I feel like I am in middle school again because I bring my lunch every day! I kind of enjoy it though! I bring so much food, because I am constantly hungry! We are not allowed to bring snacks in lecture hall so I try to just eat as much as I can, especially if it is a LONG day!
SCCO has two refrigerators for you to store you food in, four microwaves and two conventional ovens! This is wonderful, especially if you plan to commute!
Practice Management
Oh man, practice management lab was fun this week! I still think that it's my favorite class! We played this board game called, Cash Flow. The game ties into the book you will have to read for the fall quarter, Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It is basically in a similar format to Monopoly + Life. You draw a card at the beginning of the game to choose your career; they range from Janitor to Lawyer. Each card has your month salary, expenses, income, mortage, debt (if any), etc. So the game is suppose to help simulate realistic scenarios with managing your money. It sounds boring, but it was fun! I wish th
at the lab was longer so we could play more; I was just gaining more income and assets!
Anatomy and Physiology
A&P lab, which I think is a pre-req for the incoming class of 2010, was interesting this week. We dissected a pig's heart and looked at a cadaver. I've dissected a lamb's heart before so I was not squimish at all. I was, however, a little anxious about the cadaver. This was my first time observing a cadaver! I got myself
worked up over nothing! The cadaver was a loan from UCI, and it was older. The skin was really dry and HAIRY!!! haha. That is the one characteristic that stayed in my mind, " eeww it is so HAIRY!"We weren't allowed to take photos of the cadaver, but I did take a lot of photos of the heart. We need to study them for the lab practical at the end of the quarter for Dr. La Motte.
Lunch Hour
Today I just felt a lot more exhausted than usual! I guess it's from all the Wii Resorts games I've been playing at home, lol. BTW, it's pretty fun. So we have a student lounge on campus that consists of 2 ping pong tables, a pool table, a fuseball table, and an air hockey table. I posted some pictures from lunch just to show you guys what lunch time is like. We all just like to relax and enjoy our hour before going back to the lectures....lol.
I feel like I am in middle school again because I bring my lunch every day! I kind of enjoy it though! I bring so much food, because I am constantly hungry! We are not allowed to bring snacks in lecture hall so I try to just eat as much as I can, especially if it is a LONG day!
SCCO has two refrigerators for you to store you food in, four microwaves and two conventional ovens! This is wonderful, especially if you plan to commute!
White Coat Ceremony!!!
Hey guys!!! :)
As of Sept. 15th, our class of 2013 has now been officially "White Coated" ! Woo hoo! :)
Our ceremony was started at 6PM, but I was still in Optics lab at 5:40PM! It's okay, I came dressed! It was such a milestone! As I watched my classmates walk off the stage with their white coats on, I felt so much closer to becoming an Optometrist! Initially, it was just awkward seeing each other in white coats, but the pride sank in after an hour. A lot of my classmates' family and friends attended the ceremony. My family could not make it, since they are in a different state, but my boyfriend and a couple of our friends were able to come and support me. We had to say the pledge of allegiance before the ceremony began, and at first I could not locate the flag! It was the largest flag, and it was directly in front of me! lol. A lot of my classmates were looking around as well! Wow, I have not recited the pledge since I graduated from undergrad, and that was only a year ago, LOL.
So Here are some photos from our white coat ceremony! Hopefully you guys will get to take part in this momentous occasion!
As of Sept. 15th, our class of 2013 has now been officially "White Coated" ! Woo hoo! :)
Our ceremony was started at 6PM, but I was still in Optics lab at 5:40PM! It's okay, I came dressed! It was such a milestone! As I watched my classmates walk off the stage with their white coats on, I felt so much closer to becoming an Optometrist! Initially, it was just awkward seeing each other in white coats, but the pride sank in after an hour. A lot of my classmates' family and friends attended the ceremony. My family could not make it, since they are in a different state, but my boyfriend and a couple of our friends were able to come and support me. We had to say the pledge of allegiance before the ceremony began, and at first I could not locate the flag! It was the largest flag, and it was directly in front of me! lol. A lot of my classmates were looking around as well! Wow, I have not recited the pledge since I graduated from undergrad, and that was only a year ago, LOL.
So Here are some photos from our white coat ceremony! Hopefully you guys will get to take part in this momentous occasion!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Weekly Exams, Lab, & Clinic :)
So for your first year at SCCO, they ease you in by giving you 1 exam per week. I think there is one week where we do have two exams, but other than that, it is one exam per week! It is doable, but it's a LOT of material !!!
I just had an eye movements exam on Wednesday, which went pretty well! BUT, I have a Biochem exam this upcoming Monday! Oh dear! So I have been studying for it since Wednesday night, but increasing my intensity as the week moved along. A lot of it is review from undergrad, but the problem is, I took Biochem 2 years ago, so I have to refresh my memory.
Our Biochemistry ( or SCCO calls it Biological Sciences) lecture is once a week; it is a grueling three hour long lecture! Even the professor is tired by the second hour, lol. I don't think the incoming class of 2014 will have to take this course since it is now a required pre-req, lucky!!!
Eye Movements Lab
This was the only lab this week that was not canceled in lieu of Labor Day. It was actually a fun lab this week! My lab partners and I got to run basic tests to observe the different classes of eye movements on each others eyes. My favorite eye movement are the Saccadic ( which are fast twitches/jerks) eye movemnts. Here are some photos of the experiments we did in lab :
Vestibulo-Ocular
Response
Optokinetic
Response
Optokinetic
Response
Fixational
Eye Movements
Clinic
This week in clinic we were able to use 4 different optical instruments instead of shadowing interns. It was fun to "puff" each other's eyes with the NCT ( Non-Contact Tonometer) and take AR readings ( Automatic refraction). We also used the Visual Field FDT and the Optos machine. Those of you who work for optometrists might have used these machines before.
I just had an eye movements exam on Wednesday, which went pretty well! BUT, I have a Biochem exam this upcoming Monday! Oh dear! So I have been studying for it since Wednesday night, but increasing my intensity as the week moved along. A lot of it is review from undergrad, but the problem is, I took Biochem 2 years ago, so I have to refresh my memory.
Our Biochemistry ( or SCCO calls it Biological Sciences) lecture is once a week; it is a grueling three hour long lecture! Even the professor is tired by the second hour, lol. I don't think the incoming class of 2014 will have to take this course since it is now a required pre-req, lucky!!!
Eye Movements Lab
This was the only lab this week that was not canceled in lieu of Labor Day. It was actually a fun lab this week! My lab partners and I got to run basic tests to observe the different classes of eye movements on each others eyes. My favorite eye movement are the Saccadic ( which are fast twitches/jerks) eye movemnts. Here are some photos of the experiments we did in lab :
Vestibulo-Ocular
Response
Optokinetic
Response
Optokinetic
Response
Fixational
Eye Movements
Clinic
This week in clinic we were able to use 4 different optical instruments instead of shadowing interns. It was fun to "puff" each other's eyes with the NCT ( Non-Contact Tonometer) and take AR readings ( Automatic refraction). We also used the Visual Field FDT and the Optos machine. Those of you who work for optometrists might have used these machines before.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My commute.....so far...
Hey Guys,
I was reading some questions and concerns about commuting on facebook. You are not ALONE! A lot of my classmates commute to SCCO. I know a hand full that commute from Arcadia, Irvine, Corona, Dana Point, and San Gabriel. You don't have to live down the street from school, but if you can find a decent apartment, then you should. Myself, I love it here in Irvine, so I commute from Irvine to Fullerton. By high way it takes 15 minutes without the notorious Orange county traffic! :) I've been checking www.sigalert.com every morning before I leave my apartment, and before I leave school. Luckily, I my route is normally opposing traffic. But lately, since Cal State Fullerton has started school, I have had to take alternate routes. So I would say it takes me about 18-20 minutes to get to school on average.
Don't let commuting stress you about school. But, do consider it in your decision for optometry school. Geographic location is very important, especially on exam days!!!!!! :)
I was reading some questions and concerns about commuting on facebook. You are not ALONE! A lot of my classmates commute to SCCO. I know a hand full that commute from Arcadia, Irvine, Corona, Dana Point, and San Gabriel. You don't have to live down the street from school, but if you can find a decent apartment, then you should. Myself, I love it here in Irvine, so I commute from Irvine to Fullerton. By high way it takes 15 minutes without the notorious Orange county traffic! :) I've been checking www.sigalert.com every morning before I leave my apartment, and before I leave school. Luckily, I my route is normally opposing traffic. But lately, since Cal State Fullerton has started school, I have had to take alternate routes. So I would say it takes me about 18-20 minutes to get to school on average.
Don't let commuting stress you about school. But, do consider it in your decision for optometry school. Geographic location is very important, especially on exam days!!!!!! :)
4th week of Optometry school and still alive! :)
Hey guys!
Sorry, it has been awhile! I have been just trying to get used to the schedule at school! We just had our first Optics test last week and eye movements test today!!! I felt more prepared for the eye movements test than the optics test!
So far we have been eased into Optometry school, no joke. Every week the amount of studying seems to increase. It kind of creeps up on you. You don't feel pressured to study, but you KNOW you have to study, because if you don't, then its just not worth being in school! Everyone is so nice at SCCO! If you ever get to tour the campus, you will see for you yourself! Everyone is just really friendly and willing to help you!
So to get y'all caught up.....
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
This would have to be my favorite class so far! I applied to this school mainly because they offered business and ethical classes to help prepare you for private practice and finances. This class is very informative and Dr. Sanders is hilarious! She is very entertaining and is very helpful! I am very motivated to stay on top of my finances!
FIRST DAY OF CLINIC
I had my first day of clinic two weeks ago!!!! I heard mixed reviews from other first year interns' experiences, but mine was awesome!!! Can I get even more motivated for optometry, YES I CAN! LOL.
Our clinic here at SCCO is so modern and up to date with technology. There were machines in the clinic that I have never used or seen when I had worked as an optometric technician!
I shadowed a 4th year intern. She was in the middle of an exam when I came to the clinic. Her first patient was very interesting! The patient had a lot of ocular health issues and so I got to see my 4th year intern run numerous tests on her patient. She was already with this patient for about an hour and a half now; most of the exams at the clinic are long because they just transitioned over to all electronic medical records.
After, the first patient, I still had about 1 hour left before I was finished for the day. Luckily, I was able to sit in on a second exam with my intern before I left! The next patient was rather interesting as well; diabetic retinopathy follow-up! I have a very strong interest in ocular diseases so I get very excited to shadow these types of exams!
FIRST EYE MOVEMENTS LAB
I find eye movements, which you will take your first quarter here at SCCO, a very interesting class. We learn in depth about the simplest movements your eyes make. Here are some photos from our first lab. We had to construct an eye model out of a light bulb. It may look easy, but calculating the muscle insertions and origins takes up time!
So, now I have another test coming up on Monday (biological sciences), which I must start studying for today! Get used to being tested every week!!! Not fun, but I guess it helps you learn to prioritize your time!
Well I will try to keep y'all updated as weekly as possible. Please comment or ask me any questions or topics you would like posted! :)
Sorry, it has been awhile! I have been just trying to get used to the schedule at school! We just had our first Optics test last week and eye movements test today!!! I felt more prepared for the eye movements test than the optics test!
So far we have been eased into Optometry school, no joke. Every week the amount of studying seems to increase. It kind of creeps up on you. You don't feel pressured to study, but you KNOW you have to study, because if you don't, then its just not worth being in school! Everyone is so nice at SCCO! If you ever get to tour the campus, you will see for you yourself! Everyone is just really friendly and willing to help you!
So to get y'all caught up.....
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
This would have to be my favorite class so far! I applied to this school mainly because they offered business and ethical classes to help prepare you for private practice and finances. This class is very informative and Dr. Sanders is hilarious! She is very entertaining and is very helpful! I am very motivated to stay on top of my finances!
FIRST DAY OF CLINIC
I had my first day of clinic two weeks ago!!!! I heard mixed reviews from other first year interns' experiences, but mine was awesome!!! Can I get even more motivated for optometry, YES I CAN! LOL.
Our clinic here at SCCO is so modern and up to date with technology. There were machines in the clinic that I have never used or seen when I had worked as an optometric technician!
I shadowed a 4th year intern. She was in the middle of an exam when I came to the clinic. Her first patient was very interesting! The patient had a lot of ocular health issues and so I got to see my 4th year intern run numerous tests on her patient. She was already with this patient for about an hour and a half now; most of the exams at the clinic are long because they just transitioned over to all electronic medical records.
After, the first patient, I still had about 1 hour left before I was finished for the day. Luckily, I was able to sit in on a second exam with my intern before I left! The next patient was rather interesting as well; diabetic retinopathy follow-up! I have a very strong interest in ocular diseases so I get very excited to shadow these types of exams!
FIRST EYE MOVEMENTS LAB
I find eye movements, which you will take your first quarter here at SCCO, a very interesting class. We learn in depth about the simplest movements your eyes make. Here are some photos from our first lab. We had to construct an eye model out of a light bulb. It may look easy, but calculating the muscle insertions and origins takes up time!
So, now I have another test coming up on Monday (biological sciences), which I must start studying for today! Get used to being tested every week!!! Not fun, but I guess it helps you learn to prioritize your time!
Well I will try to keep y'all updated as weekly as possible. Please comment or ask me any questions or topics you would like posted! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)