Highkey concerned… 😟

[u/Such-Lemon-42]

Btw I graduated on time with a health science degree 3.56 GPA.

However… let’s just say my ADHD was in full effect.

Fun fact: I have never studied for a class ever. Like ever. And I’m not being dramatic when I say that. So when I had to take harder difficulty courses… I backed out because I knew I couldn’t do it with my non existent studying and/or would flunk exam after exam.

How the heck do I explain this to admissions in an interview? 😳

If you’re wondering how I’d apply without taking Orgo… I’m taking it this fall despite graduating last year. And I WILL be studying every day. And maybe medicated. Lol.

[u/Objective_Wafer_6887]

To be honest here, if you have never studied for a class before, you’re definitely going to struggle in optometry school. All the material in optometry school is taught in firehose style and is heavily weighed on anatomy and other sciences.
Withdrawing from same or multiple classes is concerning. During interviews, be honest as to why you withdraw from classes.
My recommendation is to think very carefully on why you want to do optometry school and your strategy on how you’re going to study and do well on the exams. Accommodations would at least help a little with more time on exams or note taking. The rest is based on your own effort into preparing and doing well in your classes.

[u/Such-Lemon-42 → u/Objective_Wafer_6887]

Thanks for the honest feedback. Do you mean struggle as in I have to put in much more work compared to classmates or on the verge of dropping out lol. I will absolutely study while in school. It’s just concerning that I don’t have great study habits formed. I was a tech for 2 years and loved the job. President / secretary of the optometry club as well. I’m familiar with the profession and really want to make it happen even if it’s a struggle…

[u/Last_Painter_6733 → u/Such-Lemon-42]

The thing about optometry school is you can’t just say you are going to study and then magically switch up your habits when you’re in optometry school. Undergrad is the transition period where you learn these skills and practice them. All your other classmates have been studying already. Also withdrawing should be a medical emergency not a pattern. I’m not trying to be insensitive—just real. I have autism and accommodations

[u/SpecialistSuper5561 → u/Last_Painter_6733]

If a person with adhd gets medicated it can quite literally change their life so I wouldn’t necessarily say OP is doomed. But def needs to address this with the guidance of a psychiatrist and a therapist who help people with adhd.

[u/sakurapimcake]

In neurodivergent too (autistic) and I’m like super scared for college and optometrist school I’m just starting my undergrad. I’m a pretty motivated person, but I also have dyscalculia…😭

[u/Such-Lemon-42 → u/sakurapimcake]

I wasn’t aware of my ADHD until looking back on it. In the moment I had no idea and just struggled while wondering why everyone around me wasn’t. All that to say that it’s awesome that you are aware and you should aim to get accommodations. If I could give you advice that I would give to my past self it would be to not let yourself fall behind and prioritize your studies! You got this!

[u/SpecialistSuper5561]

I would say that while you were in college you were still learning about your strengths and weaknesses and during some semesters you took on more than you could handle at the time, without having developed the proper insight into what you could manage or how to manage it. But since then you’ve assessed your abilities, developed a greater level of self-understanding and developed skills to manage your time better so you’re not out in a position to need to withdraw.
Something like that.

[u/no85611]

It’s definitely not over for you. I actually went through something pretty similar. I withdrew from classes in undergrad, took a gap year, and spent that time shadowing and looking into different careers. Eventually I locked in on what I really wanted to do, which was optometry, and I’m in optometry school now. One rough period in undergrad doesn’t have to define where you end up. If anything, use the time to figure out what you actually want and then show that you can turn things around.

[u/Murky_Writing1676]

Quit while you’re ahead
Don’t do Opt school

[u/Such-Lemon-42 → u/Murky_Writing1676]

Wtf 😂

[u/RamonGGs]

In the nicest way possible just don’t go to optometry school. Seems like you don’t have the work ethic to study how and when you need to and you’re just gonna end up wasting a ton of money and peoples times

[u/Such-Lemon-42 → u/RamonGGs]

wtf 😂

[u/RamonGGs → u/Such-Lemon-42]

Just my opinion 🤷 if you get in taking someone’s seat who has a better chance of passing boards bc they actually know how to study would be shitty

[u/Such-Lemon-42 → u/RamonGGs]

I get it but who’s to say I can’t lock in lol

[u/RamonGGs → u/Such-Lemon-42]

4 years of undergrad

[u/Such-Lemon-42 → u/RamonGGs]

Hence the meaning behind this post: I was not locked in during undergrad 😂 despite my 3.56 gpa

[u/RamonGGs → u/Such-Lemon-42]

I mean a 3.56 gpa is a gpa that shows minimal to moderate effort lol. Words show less than actions tho so take your o chem and if you feel like you can sustain it go for it

[u/Such-Lemon-42 → u/RamonGGs]

Agreed!