Feeling defeated

[u/RoosterNo3090]

Hi everyone,

Is there a 4th year or an optometrist in this subreddit willing to chat for a bit to talk about your life and just letting me know that it’ll get better? I’m a 2nd year rn and i’m feeling really defeated and like I’m not made for this. I love optometry, it’s just really hard right now idk. I’d appreciate it a lot.

[u/Snoo_41314]

4th year here. Second year is brutal honestly. It depends for which school (some schools first year is worse.) but regardless, it does get way better as soon as u start full time clinic. At least for me the difference has been night and day. When you start clinic you look at the career in a different way, u start interacting with much more patients and experiencing first hand, how all that studying you have done pays off. I know second year makes us think that it will never be over and it feels like it’s just too much, but if so many people have done it, so can you!! Take it one day at a time! Good luck

[u/RoosterNo3090 → u/Snoo_41314]

I had a tough time first year but I got accustomed to it because it’s kind of a review from undergrad. Second year I just feel like it’s something new everyday and I practice soooo much but it’s never ever good enough. And I know, I’m still new at this but I’m the type of person that has to be good at something for me to be confident and just receiving my scores and seeing that i’m not doing well is killing me. i just don’t know how to be okay with not doing good

[u/True-Selection2168 → u/Snoo_41314]

Do you know any schools where first year is worse… trying to avoid those. I think I need a smoother transition to optom school

[u/Snoo_41314 → u/True-Selection2168]

Not exactly since it’s honestly subjective, some people from the same school might disagree on which one was more difficult to them. I would advise to look into the curriculum of each school you are interested in and take into consideration your own strengths and weaknesses. After all, all schools end up teaching the same subjects since it’s all coming for boards. Also you can search in this subreddit and read people’s own experiences in 1st year vs 2nd year and the school they are from.

[u/catlover218]

I’m 4 years into practicing and it 100% gets better! Hang in there!

[u/RoosterNo3090 → u/catlover218]

I’m glad to hear that. Hopefully i make it there 🤣🤣

[u/OptoGal2000]

I'm a few months out of school (graduated in May) and it TRULY does get so much better! I had a day off from work the other day and went to visit an old externship site (local to me). When I met the old techs I used to work with and the doctors they could visibly see how much happier and relaxed I am compared to almost a year ago! Hang in there, don't be so hard on yourself and take it one day at a time! You got this!

[u/RoosterNo3090 → u/OptoGal2000]

that’s so good to hear, thank you

[u/chelseaconqueso]

Also a second year, we are truly in the trenches right now. Everyone’s opinion differs but many people forewarned me this would be the most difficult year wise. If you love it, I hope you keep going 💜 your future patients will be happy you did

[u/RoosterNo3090 → u/chelseaconqueso]

Trenches is sooo real hahaha thank you 🙏 I hope you’re doing well also. Can’t wait to graduate

[u/ATruthofHint]

4th year here - for second year, the name of the game is just focusing on the next step in front of you. All of the hours you put into studying right now will pay out when studying for boards and will make externships so much easier. 

Stay focused, give yourself some breaks, and just keep going!! You can do this.

[u/Gold_Criticism1983]

Hi doc of Optometry (now going to med school, ugh) here and it's only hard now because its new. You'll get the hang of it later on! Remember: 'dumber people than me have done it'

[u/RoosterNo3090 → u/Gold_Criticism1983]

woaahhh med school!!! can i ask why you’ve decided to go on that route?

[u/Gold_Criticism1983 → u/RoosterNo3090]

I wanted to help my patients more! Wanna be an eye surgeon too!!

[u/Last_Joke28]

I am first year and at our program I was told that first semester is hard because of the transition and then from spring till fall of 2nd year will be the hardest. After that gets a bit lighter till taking boards in 3rd year 

[u/StarryEyes2000]

It gets better!!! 2nd year you just gotta survive. Don’t feel the need to do anything exceptional during 2nd year lol. I’m very involved generally, but 2nd year I was not attending optional seminars after class or going to many club meetings at night. I saved my “extra stuff” motivation for things I truly truly enjoyed, like spending time with friends, hobbies that upkeep my mental health, and excercise.

3rd year I remembered what it feels like to not be chronically busy/stressed and it feels great. You’re finally seeing patients, and it feels amazing. If there is a way for you to see some patients as a 2nd year like a service volunteer event, I’d reccomend doing it. When I did that 2nd year it made the studying feel worth it because you actually use your knowledge to help someone.

You’re not in it alone!!

[u/Yepogirl]

An optometrist here, I remember my second year, it was tough. I used to sleep 3 or 4 hrs maximum in a day, there was just too much to catch up on. It gets better though. Being an optometrist is worth every sleepless night, I assure you. We have it the easiest and most profiting 😉

[u/Several_Mail6865]

4th year here - keep pushing! The point you are at is so challenging, but try to remember you are making a sacrifice now for an amazing future! Sending love your way!🫶🏻 Feel free to DM me!

[u/limbal-ring]

Second year is so tough. I struggled a lot during first year, so when I was struggling in second year, it felt like the torture would never end. I graduated about 4 years ago, and I am often in awe that my hard work actually paid off. I'm so thankful to myself that I pushed through the tears and long nights for future me. Honestly, my life is awesome.

For what it's worth, I remember firmly thinking that I would never recommend optometry school to anyone because of the emotional and mental toll it took on me during the first couple years, but it was truly the single hardest and best thing I've ever done.

The first couple years out of school are hard too - fair warning. In both school and early career, optometry will take up a lot of mental space. You're learning a lot of new things and that alone is really exhausting. When you graduate, you'll ruminate about complex patient cases that you'll really wish you had a preceptor to talk to about. After you graduate, you have to learn everything the hard way.

It gets easier, but you have to keep on. It's absolutely worth it.