Really considering optometry school. I have worked full time at a hospital as a pharmacy technician for 2 years working early shifts at 6am, waking up at 5am. When you mentioned the early mornings, I felt proud that I could listen to that and feel amply prepared for those strict schedules. The last point was almost more encouraging than anything. Reassuring yourself that you are becoming a doctor. Fascinating
A word of warning - beware of Optometry run by greedy corporates. Their KPIs are all about sales, not so much looking after people’s eye and vision needs.
I was a pharmacy technician for 12 years before getting accepted into optometry school. Now I’ve been an OD for 6 years. My pharmacy knowledge really helped! But yes, be prepared to have late study nights after classes every day. It also helps that the study material is actually very interesting too.
I’m so glad you posted this video! I had a very similar experience at a different school across the country. I’m about to start my fourth year, and even after boards, I believe these were the hardest parts of optometry school.
Really appreciate your videos Josh. My son is in first year and as a parent, this helps us understand what he's going through. He's also moved from Canada to the US so this provides so much valuable and candid insight. Keep going!
Thanks for another informational video! Will you make a video in the future on how to tackle these dark sides? Like your personal studying strategies or how to learn effectively/efficiently in Optometry school.
Saw the title and went “Oh no…” but actually really liked your points. I feel like one of my top 5 would be self discipline. Man, it’s so nice and easy to take a break…but it might come back to haunt you. Cramming doesn’t work!
Yeah, there's definitely a ton more discipline required, even when you think you can get away with some lazy days! Cramming certainly does not cut it anymore 😢
Ahhh i wish i had someone to tell this to me 3 years age. it was a really hard time for me and hearing this same problems from someone in other Country was a relief for me and heartwarming. Glad to know you josh
Hi Josh, Thank you so much for the video. I have a question that's been weighing on my mind for a while now. At 26, I've decided to completely change career paths and pursue optometry. I've thrown myself into completing the prerequisites and preparing for the next application cycle. However, I'm struggling with balancing my family life and studies. I'm incredibly close to my parents, sibling, and cousins, and our very active lifestyles which include frequent trips, gatherings, and even just random day to day activities makes it hard for me to focus sometimes. I love spending time with my family but my coursework demands more time than my first degree did. Often, I have to say no to family events, which makes me feel guilty and overwhelmed. When I do say yes, I can't fully enjoy our time together because I'm worried about my studies. It's a constant battle between not wanting to miss out on family moments and needing to focus on my future. I'm considering studying away from home to make it easier to focus, and just remove the decision making out of the equation because at least that way I won’t have to constantly say no or feel distracted especially while in the program which I imagine is much harder than what I’m doing now. Despite these circumstances the thought of being away from my family makes me scared and sad and I worry it would affect my productivity and happiness if I did leave. I'm feeling very conflicted and unsure about what to do. Based on your experience and what you've seen others go through, what would you suggest?
That's a good question! I personally moved away to cut out distractions, but I know many people who have stayed and made it work! I would suggest being upfront and having a conversation with your family about it because it does save you a ton of money to stay home, but if your family isn't capable of taking your focused efforts as love/investment-in-future instead of an insult, it might be better to move anyway
Thank you, I think I will have to have a conversation with them about the extent of how much focus this journey will require of me, as of yet it’s still been manageable even without really having any serious talks but maybe if I come up with a good game plan with them in terms of how to navigate this upcoming chapter it will be easier to manage while still staying close to home. They have been very supportive of me and I’m sure they will understand perhaps they just don’t get the severity of the situation because they aren’t living it themselves but maybe I just need to be more direct. Thanks again for your reply!
For me optometry schools with low acceptance rate and with high passing rates have a stressful environment compared to a low standard optometry school which is more relax. Am i correct?
HS senior here 🙋♂️ May I ask what you majored in/what bachelors you got for undergrad? (If yiu did that route) Is it super hard to get into an optometry program (im looking into some in Cali), but im not certain if they’ll take my community college courses as pre reqs (would you suggest just getting a bachelors before applying into optometry school)?
Hello! I majored in microbiology, which I felt like was pretty helpful! And I think optometry is decently hard to get into, but community college is not frowned upon and is actually the smarter move for a lot of pre-reqs! If you have any other questions, let me know!
Optometry = another profession destroyed by a weak advocating association . Wait times for foreign trained optometrists are insane right now. With that the pay scale is gonna continue falling as they get licensed . It sucks that corporate clinics have made their way into advocacy bodies 1. MD 2. DO 3. DDS 4. D.Pod 5. pharmD 6. NP 7. OD 8. The rest
Waiting for test scores!!! Not matter if I felt I nailed it, those 1-3 day waits lead to a lot of doubts creeping in. Got to stay positive and find ways to take care of yourself mentally.
@@joshreese_optometry my experience seemed like a very natural experience. With the exception of 3 clinical attendings during 4th school rotation, I found it very natural. I did not feel like this overly-stressed person with no life and time for friends and family always studying. It could be just my take on life during school, but it seriously did not bother me. I think the most stressed I’ve ever been was during boards part 3 which I ended up passing 1st go round. Maybe, with the exception of those particular 3 clinical attendings, the perception of the faculty of being their to serve and better our skills for practice rather pose as the obstacle that must be overcome for our entry into the profession probably served a great deal to reduce my stress. Believe it or not, most of my class loved optics.
@@StripedCheeseBread That's good to hear! Most of the 'imposter syndrome' and crazy stress is gone, now that I'm halfway through the first year! What school did you go to?
@@joshreese_optometry Hi Josh, what is the policies for the school if you get a few points below the required pass in second or third year i.e., if you get 65% in a course but need 70%. Will the school let you continue into the next year or make you take the course over and not let you continue any courses in third year until you get the required 70% in the one course. It would seem unfair to make a student not continue for just missing on one course by a few percentage points
So they are both doctorate programs and get called doctors at the end, so both are eye doctors- but there are certain diseases and surgeries that only ophthalmologists deal with
So this is also something I had questions about- you don’t just do glasses and contacts; we’re being trained to be full on doctors, it’s crazy how much we need to know to treat any kind of eye disease or complication that sits in the chair… but most get stuck doing mostly glasses and contacts
@@southpoleelvs haha depending on where you work: some optometrists do vision therapy, ocular disease, dry eye, or ever pre/post operation! Crazy stuff that not everyone specializes in, 4 years would be way too much School for just glasses, though 😁
