The Illinois College of Optometry Student Blog

What I have learned during my fourth year, while rotating with students from other optometry schools, is that ICO is one of the few schools that has a break week in between quarters. Break week even occurs during fourth year. While this may not seem like a lot while you are a student at ICO, especially if you have a mid-week clinic shift at the IEI, it is a perk. Many other schools only have a long weekend between their quarter breaks. Graduate school is very demanding and ca

Most cities have their share of great restaurants scattered throughout. It was the atmosphere of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood that drew me to explore it. Conveniently located right off the CTA Green Line, it’s hard not to find something you’ll enjoy. This neighborhood is home to some of Chicago’s most famous restaurants including Girl and the Goat and Au Cheval. Additionally, a recent food trend has sent people flocking to this area in search of some over-the-top hot choc

I have a sweet tooth- well, maybe more than a sweet tooth. OK, I’m a full blown chocoholic! The last time I tried to go without sugar, I made it a month before cracking hard. (I may or may not have put peanut M&Ms in a jar of nutella and eaten it with a spoon.) After that, I realized it’s really all about balance. What’s the harm in treating yourself every once in a while? Especially in graduate school, I need a lot of treats. I would like to share with you my three favorite

I’m officially in my first rotation away from the Illinois Eye Institute- and, truth be told, home in general. This new adventure has landed me in Denver, Colorado. Life is truly different from first year, and below, I’ve compiled some insight for you on just what ICO externships entail. Enjoy! Learn to work like a regular person. That’s right, Meet amazing new people. I only knew a few friends when I got here. Even so, Dr. Teresa Carlson and ophthalmic technician Kara at Ins

Mama, I made it! Moving all the way from California went about as smoothly as I could have hoped for. Using the variety of renting apps I mentioned in a previous post, I was able to connect with a real estate group called Live Here Chicago. At a huge risk, I went ahead and filled out an application for an apartment, sight-unseen (I did get a video tour.) I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but when apartments are listed and rented within the same day in Chicago, it was eithe