The Illinois College of Optometry Student Blog

Thinking about applying to optometry school? Already applied and trying to make your final decision about where to go? It can definitely be tough making a choice that will determine the next four years of your life. Hopefully, some advice from someone who can now look back at being in your position will help. My biggest piece of advice is speaking with current students. I don’t mean simply talking to students on your interview day. Try your best to reach out to students and a

I love being an ICO blogger for many reasons. One of the biggest privileges has been the unexpected recognition and ice breaking ability to kindle new relationships throughout the college. I wanted to share this benefit with the rest of the community in hopes of bringing our ICO family even closer. Thus came the idea for “ICO SPOTLIGHT.” These ICO SPOTLIGHT entries will give an opportunity for students, faculty members, and professors who volunteer to share a little bit about

The first quarter of optometry school is definitely an experience I don’t think I will ever forget. It was a mix of every emotion you can imagine- happiness, loneliness, stress, excitement, and a little bit more stress. I grew tremendously in such a short period of time and am grateful for it. Life is a compilation of the memories we make as we change. Optometry school will change you… and the change will be for the best. You will move to a new city, have a new home, make new

The first round of lectures has begun for the graduating class of 2022! I am an ICO first year coming to Chicago from Nashville, Tennessee. With classes underway, I can’t help but anticipate the major changes I’m about to be thrown into. My life is about to be turned upside down. ‘Work Life in the South’ vs. ‘Optometry Student in the Big City’ are two very different concepts that are sure to present some exciting and unexpected challenges. While I know I can’t predict what li

Being back in ICO as a 4th year can be tiring. Between being in clinic (always!), preparing for clinic, sending out resumes, and figuring out how to get a license, it’s hard to get the energy to cook a good meal. Fortunately, it seems like every day or so a new restaurant opens up in Chicago (even ICO’s Cafeteria is getting a new look.) One new opening, in particular, is worth trying: The Dog Haus. Originally from the West coast (L.A.), it has decided to revitalize the classi