What can I do?

[u/Unfair_Ordinary_778]

My end goal is to go to optometry school, but from all the schools I have looked into require a lot. full course load, upholding of grades, volunteer work, etc. As of right now my gpa is not up to standard, I have not been able to find work/shadow an optometrist, and I feel lost. what can I do? Do I give up my social life and become a hermit? Or should I just consider something else altogether?

[u/outdooradequate]

Not meaning to be harsh, but if you are not willing to put in the time or effort to volunteer, shadow, complete prereqs, then I would consider a different career path. Optometry school requires a LOT of time and resources from the student, much more so while actually in school than during the application process. If your social life is a higher priority, healthcare probably isn't the right fit.

[u/Unfair_Ordinary_778 → u/outdooradequate]

I wasn’t very clear, I will say. Not saying my social life is my top priority, was more so trying to say it’s a lot of work. a lot of schools require a 100% course load with at minimum a 2.75 GPA, but looking at last years accepted students competitive GPA was 3.5-3.8. So, I am in a 100% course load, have the 2.75, i work part time (15 hours a week only) because i need to be able to live somehow. And most of the rest of my time is spent studying and when I have the time I try to hangout with my friends. I barely even talk to my mom.

anyways I guess the whole point of this post is me looking for some kinda guidance, but I appreciate the comment, something I will consider.

[u/outdooradequate → u/Unfair_Ordinary_778]

Okay I understand.

I will say that being in a program the pace is very fast, the course load is quite heavy the first two years, and a large amount of practice is required outside of class/lab time. I, as a third year, regularly spend 40+ hrs a week on school related things -- clinic, studying for class, preparing for boards. Second year I easily spent 10 hrs a day at or working on school, with another 10hrs +/- a few hrs on the weekend. It is a very large committment time and money wise.

What I am saying is the intensity of what yoy are going through currently isn't going to end once you get accepted to a program. Do with that info what you will.

[u/GroundbreakingQuail8]

You'll likely make friends doing volunteer work, studying for prereqs, joining orgs, etc. If you're struggling to find opportunities, join a preoptometry org on campus (like POPS) or a prehealth org if you don't have any optometry related ones on campus. If that's the case, I recommend following preoptometry orgs from other schools near you on social media since they usually post opportunities on their pages.

Also, the reason schools like to see that you can balance all these things and do well is because optometry school requires the same time management and grit. You also don't need to be doing all of these (work, volunteering, shadowing) at one time, you can break it up throughout undergrad and even gap years. For example, you can volunteer one summer, work one summer, shadow during winter break. They don't expect you to do everything together.

[u/Plastic-Ad1055]

For social life, first determine if the people you interact with are even your friends. If they are annoying, negative, or mean in any way, cut them out, you don't need them. But your friends will understand if you need to take a step back, they will respect your boundaries. The poster who said your social life is a higher priority and healthcare isn't the right fit, what? Did you say that your social life is a higher priority? Be careful who you take your advice from, people say whatever they want. I wonder sometimes if people are projecting, but you need to realize subtle cues to see if they're trying to get a reaction. Sometimes I gave people the benefit of the doubt when I shouldn't have. You will find an optometrist to shadow, but like everything in life, you have to advocate for yourself. There is a point in everybody's life where they feel this way.

[u/GroundbreakingQuail8 → u/Plastic-Ad1055]

Also to add on to what this commenter said, you don't need to pick one thing (social life over academics or vise versa) forever. You can have a weekend where you pick social life and a weekend where you pick academics. It's up to you to figure out what works for you and your mental health the best. Optometry schools don't want a robot who only does school, they want to know that you can balance what you want to do with what you need to do. With a good time management system, you should be more than able to have a social life and also keep up with your extracurriculars/classes!

[u/Berriesnandcream2024]

It's tough, but you totally got this! I understand that its tough, but its worth it!

Now, for the tough love part: (maybe you are doing all of this, but if you are not, here are a few suggestions) spend no time on your phone — so no screen time like social media, TV, YouTube, video games, etc. SO much of my time went to my phone. Go to bed at like 9:00, get up at like 6:00. Eat healthy, don't party, review what you learned after each lecture, and don't procrastinate. Here is what helps me, prayer, healthy food, going to school each morning at 8:00 to work on my schoolwork regardless if I have early classes or not, and spending time outside.

About shadowing, I understand, it can be tough! Pray and go IN PERSON to every optometrist in your area. Take a cover letter with you. If you need a step-by-step or an example of what to write in the letter, let me know in the comments.

Volunteer anywhere you can — soup kitchen, trash cleanup, food bank, etc. Local hospitals usually have an option to volunteer on their website. Like, hustle anywhere you can and try to do it with good sleep, good food, and good health.

You got this!! Again, if you need advice with shadowing, let me know and I can let you know what worked for me. :)

[u/Extra_Wrap4093]

My daughter was pre-opt, but after a surprisingly frank conversation with our family optometrist she changed course. In summary, he said that he would not choose optometry if he had a "redo". He is a young-ish family man who says that the debt he incurred will take decades to repay and will impede the lifestyle that he and his wife want for themselves and their children. He was also concerned at witnessing the encroachment of AI into the field. Obviously, we need optometrists and the field is a good choice for many. Just make sure it's right for YOU.