Optomstudent

I'd forgotten how busy student life can be...

optomstudent — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:24:00 GMT

In what seems like only five minutes since I enrolled for my second year of Optometry, the first semester has almost come to an end. It has been an eventful few months and as much as I am loving every minute of university life, I do feel like I need the Christmas break to have a few days to recuperate!

Since coming back, the number of new techniques we have added to our toolkit has shot up incredibly. We have mastered the slit-lamp and have tried our best on with the Volk (it is getting easier, but the assessment shakes that many of us get during our exams do play havoc when trying to get a sharp image of what you are observing!).

I have tried my best to keep on top of the lectures, by writing up each module into an A4 pad and adding notes, but it is rapidly becoming a selective task prioritising any module topics that requires a bit more attention. In addition, the expected level of clinical ability has been raised considerably. Our assessment a few weeks ago involved having to perform a full refraction routine in 35 minutes - something that both scared us, but has also prepared us for the rest of the course, as well as for meeting the time demands of the pre-reg period.

The weekend just passed involved visiting Centre Parcs in Longleat for the Student AOP Eyeopener Conference. We had various talks touching upon pre-registration period preparation, examinations, career advice and also a fantastic lecture-come-stand-up routine by the multi-talented Sarah Morgan. It was a real "eye opener" in terms of what being an optometrist can hold for our future. Academia, hospitals, industry, franchise, independent, clinical research and domiciliary were just a handful of the suggestions of where we may end up at some point in our career. Although the information gained from talking to all the exhibitors and absorbing the lectures, it was also a brilliant weekend socialising with fellow optometry students from all the universities in a non-formal environment (it is amazing how fighting through the rapids of the on-site swimming complex can bring people together!)

The next few weeks will bring my first few attempts at refracting paid patients alone. I am very excited about this as it does feel like I am becoming a "real optometrist". I shall let you know how I get on!

Jason

All moved in...

optomstudent — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:59:00 GMT

Well the summer has come to an end and I'm back in my university city. Freshers starts in a week and I've settled in nicely to my new student house. After sorting through all the little problems with the house and of course working out with my new housemates about the bills, I can safely say I am ready to dive in to my second year of study. Now that we have internet in the house, I should be able to post more frequently!

Over the last few weeks, I've been slowly revising a few of the modules (especially the dispensing one!) ready to hit the second year at full speed. I've heard we're going to be tested on our first session back, so hopefully my preparation will pay off!

Today I sat as a volunteer patient for a masters course which will help pay for a few of the upcoming Freshers' week socials. I quite like these opportunities as it gives me a chance to see other areas of optometry that I haven't yet covered in the course. Today it was gonioscopy. I've sat for this before and although having drops that sting, several nervous students placing the gonio lenses on my eye and copious amounts of artificial tears all over my eye, it isn't as bad as it sounds. My next job before Freshers' week is to be a patient for retinoscopy...a much more pleasant procedure!

Half way through the summer break...

optomstudent — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:59:00 GMT

It is amazing how fast and how slow the summer holidays can go. As a child I remember looking forward to six weeks without school and through the months of May, June and July I would count down the days until I could wake up without having to worry about homework, waking up much before 10 am (and even then 10 am was an early start) and the chance of some summer holiday getaway. The summer always seemed to fly by too quickly.

Now, six weeks after the Iast first year exam, find myself now with another six weeks until I head back to university for the second year. The summer has flown by so far, with lots of activities filling my time. I was very lucky to land myself a job with my optometry school, producing an image database of various ocular conditions, ready for use within the school for lectures and other teaching materials. I have spent several days a week at a local hospital ophthalmology department sifting through approximately 15,000 different photographs, varying from ARMD and diabetic retinoipathy to retinoblastomas and CRVOs. The anterior eye also was covered in the project and it's amazing at how many different ocular pathologies there are.

With my ophthalmic photographer background, I also was able to work in the eye clinic. This was the highlight of the project, as it meant I have been able to refresh my skills in slit lamp usage, patient communication and of course, use the many different imaging machines that introduced me to the world of eyes in the first place.

I am currently on my last full day of the project, which means I can head out and enjoy some of the summer. Hopefully I will be able to attend a local optometry practice before I return to university and thus gain as much experience as I can.

All passes :)

optomstudent — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:43:00 GMT

So the Friday of results has come and gone. I'm happy to say that all were of a passing grade, meaning that I am going to be in the second year. It was quite a funny afternoon when we found out the results - everybody on the website the results were to be published on, repeatedly refreshing the page. Similarly, we were all talking on Facebook about how the results were slightly late being published - it was all very exciting (but scary at the same time).

Eventually the results were available to be viewed and the feeling was almost like watching your football team score after a stretch of good play - the anticipation and the excitement and then the climax of excitement with a great sense of happiness and relief.

The next stretch of waiting was finding out the final grades after they had been checked by the exam board. Did I just pass, or were my results outstandingly good (I will say the latter wasn't I was expecting...). It was a wait, but managed to pass with three firsts and 3 good 2:1 (missed out on two more firsts by a mark...d'oh!).

So now it is time to go out and enjoy the summer, knowing the second year is ahead of me. I am due to start work at a hospital next week, so hopefully raise some funds to see me through it!

Results Tomorrow...

optomstudent — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:43:00 GMT

So the waiting is nearly over. The exams I, like so many of my colleagues, have been studying for are being set before the exam board this morning, ready for a release of a PASS or FAIL grading that we will receive tomorrow. It is quite a nail-biting experience and despite feeling like I've managed to do enough to pass each exam, there is still part of me expecting the worst. "Optom"ism isn't really my strong point when it comes to these things, but usually finding out you've done better than expected is a real mood lifter, so come 2pm tomorrow I hopefully will be very happy.

I mentioned in my last post that I was off with OPSOC to Oakwood. It was a fantastic day - the weather was great and it was brilliant to just celebrate the end of the first year at university by riding many rollercoasters and thrill rides. I even braved "Vertigo", a 150 ft sky-coaster. Essentially you are strapped into a harness, raised into the air and released, swinging through a huge arch. Most definitely a terrifying prospect, but also one of the best thrills of my life.

The Summer Is Here...

optomstudent — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:51:00 GMT

It's finally arrived for us students! The long days of covering our notes, revising hard for our exams has finally ended and we are glad to have a much needed break from the studies. All in all, the exams were fair and although I probably could have done better if I had revised in a different way, the results should hopefully reflect the amount of effort I have put in over the last year.

I am off with the Cardiff OPSOC tomorrow to celebrate at the theme park "Oakwood" in Pembrokeshire. I love the place, having been there a few times before and the thought of having a ride on several rollercoasters sounds a perfect way to let off some steam! Congratulations to all that have finished their exams and I hope the results are all you wish for!

One left...

optomstudent — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:26:00 GMT

Firstly, let me apologise for my absence. The revision has been rather intense recently, meaning that I have little time for anything other than studying. Although the pass grade for this year is only 40%, the perfectionist in me thinks that is not a target to aim for and I have been working hard to get the best I can. However, despite my best intentions, there is little chance of anybody remembering absolutely every little fact in every module and the results that I get are a good reflection on how much I have picked up throughout my time here.

With only 5 days to go until my final exam, I have now began to relax a little. The last exam is on one of the shortest modules and one that I am fairly confident on. This means I can take the time out to enjoy the last few weeks of my first year, as well as catch up with my other duties.

It has been quite a year and I have been amazed at how much optometrists learn in the first year and the promise of learning more (and more relevant) things next year is something I'm very much looking forward to! Until then, I'll keep reading my subscription to Optician and build up some background knowledge with the CET training pages over the summer. I just hope my enthusiasm never dwindles!

One week in, 2 weeks to go...

optomstudent — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:54:00 GMT

I can see all the students here on Optician Space are blogging about there exams. As a student myself, I'm no different.

Currently I am one week in to my exams and have 2 weeks until I can breath a momentary sigh of relief before awaiting to see how I have done. So far, my first two exams went exceptionally well and today's one I was a little less confident on. I know I've done my best and I'm pretty certain I've managed to pass.

The one we have all been dreading the most is on Thursday. A 2 hour dispensing exam. I'm not sure why we are all nervous, as we've all worked hard throughout the year, but I'm guessing it's the maths under exam conditions that scares us the most. I'm sure all the student optometrists in my year will do fine.

Good luck to all those taking exams and I hope you all get the results you are expecting!

Examinations are go...

optomstudent — Sun, 15 May 2011 20:29:00 GMT

I've decided to save my post this week until tonight, for the simple reason that tomorrow marks the first day of my examinations. At 1pm, a two hour written exam on basic clinical techniques awaits me. Although the usual pre-exam jitters are with me, I am feeling fairly confident that I will manage to do ok within it. I have been revising for several weeks and making sure I know exactly what I need to know in order to feel confident. It should be fine, although I will do well not to get over-confident about it.

In other news, the student loan has come and gone in what must be the shortest amount of time any money has ever been in the account. Car tax and student accommodation fees have meant that I am now living on the basic student diet of beans, noodles and toast (as well as whatever can be found lurking in the cupboard). But all wasn't at a loss. I was offered the chance to sit as a paid patient for some examinations this week. It did mean giving six hours of my time to staring at a keratometer, but it was a nice break from revision. In addition, I even had the chance to sit as a paid patient in a gonioscopy course this morning. I haven't quite yet learned that I every time I have a technique practiced on me I tend to provide an interesting case to be viewed, thus discovering my eyes are even more interesting than first thought!

All Pulling Together

optomstudent — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:12:00 GMT

I've not long returned to university, ready to sit my first set of end-of year exams. I have a little over a week until my first one, which is on basic clinical techniques. Despite revising continuously since my little break in Shropshire, it's beginning to feel like there is not enough time to cover everything.

However, there is a feeling of unity between all of the first years - we all feel the same and, unlike the days in school where every student was in it for themselves, we all are helping each other. It is of course in my nature to help when I feel I can, but it is actually very impressive that all 80-90 of us are taking the time to cover individual topics in detail and share what they have done with everyone in the year. We have even utilised Facebook to organise revision sessions, ask questions (even set polls as to test each others knowledge) as well as provide support to those that have spent the last three days in a caffeine-filled state trying to memorise model answers to potential questions (that may or may not have been me...).

It really something that has motivated us to keep going and if it works well for the first year, I'm sure we will continue supporting one another throughout the rest of our time at university and hopefully in the careers ahead of us.

12 hours left...

optomstudent — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:01:00 GMT

As I sit here in my cold dining room with a copy of Jalie on one side and Elliott on the other, the sun beams down outside. There is a feeling of downheartedness about the situation. However, upon reading the exam timetable, I have a mere 12 hours of contact time left before I can enjoy the summer. That in itself is motivation.

There is of course the excitement of summer strolls, ice creams, hot and sunny days (I can dream...it is the UK after all...) and the prospect of gaining valuable work experience in a local optometrists (I'm yet to find anywhere yet, so if you are in the Bristol area and fancy having "Optomstudent" working with you, feel free to let me know!). I also aim to gather some experience in my local hospital eye service - having spent two years an ophthalmic photographer, working in a hospital is my final aim.

But before I can enjoy these summery experiences, I must first keep my head down and revise for my exams...in the sunny garden!

Cardiff Eyeball 2011

optomstudent — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:49:00 GMT

Saturday the 16^th April saw the annual Cardiff University Eyeball, the biggest Opsoc event of the year. This year it was held at the Coal Exchange at Cardiff Bay, the location of “The Voyage of the Damned” Doctor Who Christmas special. Each year, the Eyeball has a theme and keeping with the Doctor Who theme, this year the Eyeball went nautical chic.

I’m pleased to report that everyone had an amazing time. With a three-course dinner and a range of entertainment, ranging from inflatable surfing (!) to a live jazz band, it was very hard not to. Guests even had the opportunity to try their hand at several casino tables, all for fun of course! The highlight of the night was the 3^rd Annual Opsoc Awards, where students vote for a huge range of fun awards – such as “Fresher of the Year” and “Optom Personality of the Year”.

It was also the time where the current Opsoc committee members stood down and the results of the new committee member votes were announced. It was great to see the best candidates won and that next year will be yet another fantastic year for Cardiff Opsoc.

Good times ahead!

optomstudent — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 22:31:00 GMT

It has come to that time. The coursework is completed (albeit yet to be submitted) and the lectures and practical examinations are over. It means two things, the Easter Holidays are upon us and that the written examinations are around the corner. However, I do feel like the pressure has been released slightly, as we all can now sort our own schedules out.

But it is also a time to relax a little and have some fun. In fact the next few weeks are packed

for me. This coming Saturday I will be attending a go-karting day for one of my good friend's stag party, before attending the annual Eyeball in the evening. This year it is being held at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay and has a nautical theme. I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures taken and I will of course share them with you.

Following that, I am off to London to aid with the Student AOP, before heading back to my flat for a quick snack as I will be heading to visit my good friends in Shropshire for a week. My friends live in this very old farmhouse, situated in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully the weather will be as nice as it has been recently and I'll get to revise with them in the garden or the many fields that surround them.

So with all of these fun events to occupy my time, any time revising will be considered a break!

A Year of Knowledge

optomstudent — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:39:00 GMT

It appears that the first year of university is drawing to a close. A year ago, the butterflies were in my stomach as I started to prepare myself for the exciting adventures I had ahead of me at university and now the butterflies are back as I prepare myself for the upcoming exams that await me after Easter. As I sit down to write this I am thinking how much we actually learn in the first year. I had very little experience with lenses and ray-traces used to scare the daylight out of me. Now I'm fairly confident in working out dispensing problems and ray-traces are suddenly my friend, not my foe.

We've also learned a wide amount of biology-related content that is relevant to the course. Some fascinating lectures on embryology, the various systems in the body and how everything just seems to work has made me think about the world and life in a whole new light. On Friday I was lucky enough (well I say lucky...it was pretty strange) to visit the biosciences building and to witness a human head and neck dissection. Despite the horrible feelings that kept crossing my mind that these were once people, it did offer an amazing insight to how all of these structures were arranged in the human - even more fascinating was observing the eyes themselves, something we could offer direct comparison to our bovine eye reports. Many of us felt that we understood the content a whole lot better after witnessing this, than we did from lectures and reading alone.

So, although the lectures have all finished, now is the time to consolidate the knowledge and revise. It will be a tough, we've gone from having lots of work and no free time to lots of free time and as much work as we can do within it. All it takes is a good discipline and I'm sure it will be fine. Saying that, I had better get revising for my dispensing practical exam! I'll be happy when it's over with!

The Joy of New Specs

optomstudent — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:17:00 GMT

About a month after I have been prescribed an update to my prescription, I've finally managed to scrape together the funds to purchase a new pair of glasses. The main change is that I have become more myopic (It's beginning to look like I won't be suffering from mixed astigmatism for too much longer...), with a change on the axis by about 10 on each eye.

I've always managed to deal with blur rather well, quite regularly heading out with no correction and generally the correction I wear being the cheapest frames and lenses that I can find. Several of my colleagues had picked up on this at the start of my course and have constantly wound me up for it. Obviously at the beginning, I was unaware that what lenses you had and how the frames were set up for each patient made a difference to the quality. Now actually taking the time to maximize my vision and start taking care of my professional image (who wants an optician that squints through bad glasses..?) I am beginning to see what I have missed out on.

I decided to go for a pair with a more sturdy frame, as most of the time they are whipped on and off my face for various reasons (generally vanity, but we won't talk about that...). With this bad spec-wearing practice in place, the most common problem is damage to the sides. Since wearing my new, sturdier pair, they actually feel more comfortable and fit much better. Until recently, I had no idea about what benefits anti-reflective coating the lenses had (until the lectures explained it all). I am now wearing such a coat on my new lenses and I'm literally amazed at how they make the world appear so much more vivid. As I have seen first hand at how the quality of my vision has increased with taking the time to choose the right frame, lenses and coatings, I now have a lot of belief in the products I'll be selling in the future. Hopefully my enthusiasm will help me sell them in the future.

I have had, however, a few adaptation problems, but they were to be expected. They are more powerful and I have noticed that I've been experiencing only what I can call "Star Wars vision", as the tops of everything are much wider than the the bottoms. It made writing my last lab report akin to writing the opening sequence of Star Wars. However, after a week of wearing them, moving about and using them for their intended purposes, they are now fine. I don't think I'll be taking them off any time soon and I believe my world of blur is now a thing of the past.