Student Life Blogs

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11/30/10

Back from Break and Already Busy

Just returned from Thanksgiving break and have lots to do this week with labs ending and finals approaching. I had a wonderful time with family and friends back in Michigan, and ate way too much food. We had two very busy weeks before break (six exams in the two weeks prior), and we all definitely needed a rest before starting the push towards finals. It was very easy and convenient to fly home during break, only an hour and a half flight from Memphis to Detroit, but then I have a 4 hr drive north. The drive wasn’t bad though, because I was so excited to be heading home for the first time in 3 months.

When I left Memphis it was finally beginning to look like fall. The leaves were changing colors and the temperature cooling down. It went from 60 degrees here to below freezing at home. I got a true glimpse of winter when it snowed a couple of days during break. I think I’m getting too used to the Memphis weather, because I was having to excessively layer clothing to stay warm in Michigan.

Returned back to Memphis for the start of a busy three weeks. Our labs end this week, so we have a theory and methods practical and an anatomy lab practical. I practiced today and my retinoscopy was a little rusty, as I haven’t practiced for over a week. During the practical we have upperclassmen as patients and are timed, so it’s bound to be a bit nerve-wracking. Next week we have three finals and then three more finals the following week. Just need to keep looking ahead to Christmas break and a family vacation . Almost through the first semester!

Posted by Amy Dunbar at 11/30/10

11/23/10

Busy Holidays!

Hey Everyone! As always, life as a third year SCO student has been busy! We have the entire week off to spend time with family for Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for that! It’s nice to be sitting on my couch watching the Today show with coffee in my hand and the dog in my lap, NOT worrying about a test! When I get back to school my schedule is still full of exams in the classroom as final exams begin, but just a few weeks and it will be time for Christmas break! (Ok, I may have this week off but you didn’t really think I wasn’t worrying about a test did you?! Haha!)

After final exams, most of my classmates and I are staying in Memphis an extra week for a special class to help us prepare for the National Board Exam. Part I is coming up for third years in March at SCO (I can’t believe it!) so it’s time to get the ball rolling on studying EVERYTHING I’ve been learning the past few years! The course is focused on not only reviewing the material but also study tips on HOW to actually study for such a huge test. The class is 4 whole days and then we have books and online programs to help us study (a little everyday hopefully!) until March. Spring semester schedules have just been sent out too, and third years get a slightly more relaxed classroom schedule to enable us more time to devote to studying for boards.

Clinic has been going great! Last week I could really tell that my skills are improving. I actually found myself taking more time to complete an exam because I was getting such good views of the retina with my BIO that I just wanted to keep looking! And as soon as I pat myself on the back for recognizing retina pathology, someone walks in that didn’t like the glasses prescription I gave them a few weeks before! So still learning every day and wondering how I will ever be as proficient as my teachers!

Until next time, Happy Holidays to everyone and safe travels!

Posted by Amy Dunbar at 11/23/10

11/12/10

My Road to SCO

Hi All!

A recent follower on my blog asked me for tips on becoming a SCO student, so I wanted to share with you the path I took to become a student here and offer some suggestions. After determining that SCO was the school for me, I first put my name on their mailing list. I called the admissions department to let them know I was interested, and they sent me an information packet. Also, when Sunnie Ewing visited MSU, I was there to get information and have all my questions answered. I studied for the OAT during the summer and fall of my senior year, and I applied and was accepted during the fall of that same year. I made sure to give all those providing my recommendation letters adequate time to get their letters in, and I had my transcript mailed early as well. Once accepted, I started looking for places to live, and prepared myself for my new life in Memphis!

My suggestions to anyone considering SCO, shadow as many Optometrists as possible in different areas of practice (not just private), and make sure you have some experience and knowledge of the profession. You want to be sure this is the profession for you. Also, visit SCO if possible or jsut call and let them know you're interested in their school. Everyone here is really nice and ready to help you become a student! Please get your application in as soon as possible and give your recommenders as much time as you can to get their information in. You don't want to rush them. Don't forget about making good grades and doing well on the OAT, as this will help make you a more competitive applicant! If you ever have any questions or are unsure of something, always call the admissions office and talk to someone. They'll be glad to help.

I hope I've answered all questions anyone may have! If not, feel free to comment and ask questions!!

Posted by Amy Dunbar at 11/12/10

11/5/10

The things you remember

It's been a crazy, yet fun, ride for me this semester. I really look forward to the new experiences that I will encounter with patients every week. You always hear our professors talk about patient experiences that they had when they were in our shoes as students or residents. Those encounters that they had, really impacted their lives.

As students, we are knee deep in all kinds of patient exposure and experiences. They may come from the times you visited the nursing home and had eye opening experiences. Or they may even come from the simpler things when you are in optical and all you do is repair some glasses. To the patient, this shows them the dedication that you have to their vision. It truly is a great position to be in to be able to help so many people.

On other notes, The Eye Center had a great turnout for Halloween. All the different suites took on the challenge of a decorating contest. The faculty, staff, students, and pediatric patients dressed up for the occasion. It was really quite an awe to see. We had different mascots from professional sports there high-fiving all the kids. It was great!!

As the end of the semester is getting closer and closer, more of us 3rd years have something else on our minds.... National Boards Part 1. Yes, even though its not until March 2011, we are all getting ready to start studying and preparing for that. There are good study guides and programs out there that most of my classmates are participating in that will help us prepare. Also starting next semester, there is going to be daily classes put on by our professors to help us prepare. So we have lots of support !!

Well that's it for this time-I am excited in what lies in store for me next week and I will keep you updated.

-Cheers

Posted by Amy Dunbar at 11/5/10

10/16/10

First Stretch is Over!

Hello Everyone,

It's now mid-October, and we are just about halfway through the semester. Tests are flying left, right, and all around, but I'm definitely maintaining my sanity. I still find myself studying more Anatomy and Neuroanatomy than any other class, but I would have to say out of all of my classes, Theory & Methods is by far the most enjoyable. Even though we are just first year students, we are learning things that we will be using throughout the rest of our careers. It is so surprising that we are already becoming skilled at applying things that we learn in class to real life situations. To actually grasp that a patient walking in with a head tilt could be a correlation between a cranial nerve palsy, and/or extra ocular muscle dysfunction is so amazing. I knew before that SCO had an outstanding curriculum, but to actually learn these applicable intricacies so soon in our education is blowing my mind.

We also received our white coats a few weeks ago, and they look very impressive. It was a must that I add a little extra flair to mine though, by adding my Georgia Bulldog and Cleveland Browns pins (Smiling Hard)!! We get to wear them in our Theory & Methods lab. I can’t wait for the day that I’m wearing my white coat on a daily basis. Well, that’s about it for now. Back to studying (Anatomy)….

Until Next Time… Later~

Posted by Amy Dunbar at 10/16/10