Hi everyone!
It’s been forever since I’ve talked to you guys so I have a lot to share. I’ll start with 4th year externships. Each 4th year student completes two externships off-campus, either in the Memphis area or at practices throughout the US, and spends one semester at The Eye Center on campus.
I’ve been on extern in GA since May, spending summer at a private practice in Marietta and the fall semester at a MD/OD practice in Morrow. I have seen and learned a lot since I’ve been here, and I’m so grateful SCO gives us this opportunity to branch out into the real world. On externs I’ve seen very common and some rare ocular pathologies that I may never see again throughout my career. I even saw my first case of Acanthamoeba Keratitis, which was a great learning experience! I’ve gotten to work with a large variety of patients, met some really nice people, and attend various optometric lectures and dinners. Externships are a great and vital part of our optometric education, and I’m so thankful SCO gives us this opportunity before we graduate.
Another great thing about 4th year is all of the FREE TIME we have! Besides studying for part 2 of national boards and completing a few writing assignments, there is not much work to be done. I’m usually at my extern site from about 8-5 or 6 Monday-Friday and some Saturdays from 8:30-12. It feels like a real job, and that’s what I love about this whole experience. It’s getting me ready for life after graduation.
I’ve also had time to hang out with my family and friends here, as well as enjoy some of the fun Atlanta has to offer. My externship ends soon and I’ll return to the Eye Center in January. Although I’m a little sad to leave Atlanta, I’m looking forward to going back to the clinic and working in some areas where I didn’t get a lot of exposure while on extern. It’ll be a good clinical experience to end my educational career.
I also believe the last time I wrote I was getting ready for my wedding! Everything went well and turned out beautiful. I’ve been enjoying all of the free time I have to spend with my husband. Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating our 1 year anniversary.
That’s all I have for now, but I’ll be talking to you all again soon!!