Hello!
My name is Christopher Pope. I am a rising second year from the great state of Utah. My wife, Annaliese, and I made the 1,500-mile drive from Utah to Memphis last year. It was quite the daunting move as neither of us has lived in this area of the country before. She works at a local hospital in the laboratory while I spend much of my time here at SCO! Even though school is busy there is time to enjoy with family and friends! We have found many entertaining activities to do over the past year. Some of which have been catching a live concert while eating chicken and waffles at BB Kings on Beale Street, walking through the beautifully landscaped Shelby Farms and taking a weekend trip to Nashville to check out historic sites while attending more concerts. Make sure to study efficiently and make time to get out and enjoy the fun city we live in!
I am blown away that my first year is in the rear-view mirror! Wow. Pretty amazing to look back and reflect on student orientation and the beginning of the school year. Take advantage of being a student here! This is prime time! SCO offers amazing educational and clinical programs that will pass by like any other semester unless you dig in, get involved and positively push forward. You are where you choose to be! I have found that striving to stay positive has helped me cope with difficult classes and other life obstacles. We have each other to lean on when times get stressful and tough. Ask for help and support will come your way. Remember that your SCO experience is what you make of it!
The professors did a good job helping me adjust to a more rigorous schedule by reviewing material that was taught in undergrad and, then, gradually introducing new material. After I got a few weeks under my belt the pace began to pick up. The first of everything was a little stressful. Lab practicals were something that I had never previously been exposed to. My good friend, the schematic eye, and I spent many hours together in the lab practicing for the first retinoscopy practical exam! After it was over, I knew that things were going to work out. Thankfully, SCO provides many resources you will need to succeed! If those doctors who just graduated in May could do it then we can too!
I hope you are looking forward to your time here at SCO. You will become a part of a loving family. I feel cared for here and I am sure you will as well. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
All the best,
Christopher Pope
My wife, Annaliese, and I at the White Coat Ceremony