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ICO SPOTLIGHT: Get to Know SJ Lee!

Lacey Kratzenberg

Apr 16, 2019
2 min

ICO SPOTLIGHT: Get to Know SJ Lee!

“And now, here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery SJ is a first-year student here at ICO and such a hard worker. SJ came to the United States in 2006 from South Korea. Even though she moved around the country a lot thereafter, she calls Atlanta, Georgia home. Coming from a background of business, she discovered her love for optometry b

“Mind the Gap”

Mar 5, 2019
2 min

“Mind the Gap”

When I began my applications to optometry school, I had concerns about the gap years I took between my undergraduate education and what would be the start of optometry school. Some of my apprehensions have been valid, while others haven’t affected me in the slightest. One of my fears was that I would feel an age gap between myself and my fellow classmates. Thankfully, this has not been a concern to me after starting at ICO. Not only are there many students in my shoes, but th

ICO SPOTLIGHT: “Work Hard, Stay Humble”

Lacey Kratzenberg

Feb 26, 2019
2 min

ICO SPOTLIGHT: “Work Hard, Stay Humble”

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

Diving into Doctorate Level Coursework at ICO

Nov 7, 2018
3 min

Diving into Doctorate Level Coursework at ICO

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” As I began optometry school, one of the biggest stress-inducing factors was the unknown surrounding coursework. How I could be successful in all of my classes right off the bat? I had developed some strong study habits and test-taking skills in undergrad, but was so nervous about how these would translate to tough graduate-level courses. Today, I have three pieces of advice for first-year ICO students on how to alleviate some

What made you want to go to optometry school?

Jul 2, 2018
2 min

What made you want to go to optometry school?

Every applicant is asked this question at some point on their optometric journey: “What made you want to go to optometry school?” After a while, the response becomes beautifully rehearsed, without any stumbling or “umm”s. As the application process continues, every applicant hopes that their reason is good enough for the interviewers. Over a recent weekend, I was asked by some prospective students why I wanted to go to optometry school and be an optometrist. I gave them the r

How to Relax during Optometry School

Feb 7, 2018
2 min

How to Relax during Optometry School

To say optometry school can be stressful is an understatement. First year, you can have up to three exams a week, plus practicals, quizzes, etc. Second year, you add clinic to the mix and third year, you begin to prepare for NBEO part 1. Fourth year, you have externships, the other two NBEO tests, possibly OEBC… and you begin preparing for real life (a.k.a. finding a job.) This past week, we were looking for an apartment in Chicago for our last externship. I started thinking

Flashback to First Year Struggles

Sep 14, 2017
2 min

Flashback to First Year Struggles

My kindergarten graduation ceremony was held in my school’s cafeteria. My classmates and I lined up in the hall, then walked in. As everyone else climbed up to the stage, I continued to walk right back out into the hall. I cried and refused to go up until the principal said I could just stand on the stairs behind her. Flash forward to my ICO White Coat Ceremony. My mom, brother, and grandparents were all in Chicago for the weekend. However, they all were unsure if I would get

Earning the Color White

Aug 26, 2017
3 min

Earning the Color White

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.” -Dalai Lama XIV Every year around this time, emotions are running high. It is the start of a new quarter, the first couple weeks back for the second years, and the first few weeks of optometry school for the first years. I remember how much was packed into my first few weeks as a first year. With

Which is Better, Year 1 or 2?

Jan 27, 2017
3 min

Which is Better, Year 1 or 2?

Optometry school is quite the rollercoaster. At ICO, first year is the biggest hurdle. After that, anything seems possible. Students always want to know the next step as they continue throughout their journey to become optometrists. Will it ever get easier? Will I ever gain back some of that beloved ‘free’ time? What is it like to be one year closer to graduation? Although every student has their own perspective on the four-year endeavor, here is my take on maneuvering your w

It’s the Little Things that Matter

Nov 16, 2016
2 min

It’s the Little Things that Matter

While an optometry student at ICO, you learn to appreciate the little things that may otherwise be taken for granted. For example: Your bed! We are all familiar with all-nighters. The level of concentration and commitment an optometry student has to keep throughout the school year can, at times, be draining. The one thing you’re looking forward to at the end of the day is getting some sleep in your cozy bed. The sundeck at the RC. Since most days you will find yourself indoor

3 Things I Learned in the First 3 Weeks of Optometry School

Sep 2, 2016
2 min

3 Things I Learned in the First 3 Weeks of Optometry School

When you get to optometry school, life is a whirlwind. It’s new classes, new friends, new layouts… a new lifestyle, apparently. I recently had some down time to collect my thoughts. This blog post was my best outlet for the new information I had obtained after arriving and acclimating to the rigors of ICO. Here are the three most important things I have learned: Be selfish. – When you are applying to optometry school, you write essays and reflect upon yourself. Many people st

Long Distance Relationships in Optometry School

Aug 23, 2016
2 min

Long Distance Relationships in Optometry School

Believe it or not, long distance relationships are very common in optometry school (and graduate school in general.) Although they are common, that doesn’t mean they are easy. As students enter a new chapter in their lives, they often find themselves saying goodbye to an old one, at least for a little while. One thing that makes long distance relationships difficult while in health professional school is the fact that you will no longer be as available as you once were. Most

Which year at ICO is the hardest?

Aug 18, 2016
2 min

Which year at ICO is the hardest?

Everyone always says that first year at ICO is the hardest. Well, I think many people would argue that second wasn’t any easier. Now that I have finished one quarter of third year, I can once again ask myself if it gets easier. I asked a few peers which year they found the hardest and why. First Year What makes first year hard? The consensus was that first year is challenging because you are getting used to a new environment, and have to transition to taking a lot more hours

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Optometry: Advice for Those Entering Optometry School

Jun 23, 2016
2 min

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Optometry: Advice for Those Entering Optometry School

You did it! Congratulations! The time has come. You have finished your undergraduate career, maybe taken some time off, applied, and received your acceptance to optometry school. Phew! Regardless of where you chose to attend (I’m clearly a big ICO fan), there are a few pieces of advice I would like to share as you head into your first year. My biggest piece of advice is to try not to stress out about school, but keep in mind that it is a challenging program. At ICO, we have a

Transformation, Reflection, and Anticipation

Oct 21, 2015
3 min

Transformation, Reflection, and Anticipation

It has been 8 weeks since classes began here at ICO. Those 8 weeks have been packed with tests, labs, events, ups, downs, failures, triumphs, memories, and most importantly, experiences. I remember sitting through the week of orientation hearing students, staff, and doctors bombard us with information, most of which I could not relate to and had no idea what they were getting at. I am just now beginning to understand some of the things they were telling us. For starters, one

ICO Family

Sep 9, 2015
2 min

ICO Family

As I continue on my journey to becoming an optometrist, my experience would not be complete without the people I’m surrounded by every day here at ICO. Although I haven’t met EVERYONE in my class yet, I have to say: our bonds are growing strongly at a fast pace. Usually, I’m not the one to develop friendships this quickly, but I tell myself that I will be in the same lecture hall, labs, and living area as my classmates for 3 years and 9 months. Why not develop these friendshi

“Welcome to Doctor School”

Sep 1, 2015
2 min

“Welcome to Doctor School”

WOW. It hardly feels like only two weeks have gone by since I arrived at ICO. The first few days of my journey here were a daze of getting settled in, Orientation actives, and explorations of this beautiful city. In the blink of an eye, my class was able to mingle amongst ourselves while being introduced to many of the amazingly kind second years, as well as faculty/staff. I am so impressed by what a fantastic job ICO and the Orientation team did to make us feel so welcome. A

MBTA→ CTA: First Week at ICO!

Aug 21, 2015
2 min

MBTA→ CTA: First Week at ICO!

Last week, I said my goodbyes and stepped on a plane in Boston, Massachusetts. Roughly two hours later, I entered a new time zone and touched down in Chicago. As of August 16th, I have officially completed my first year Orientation at ICO. Now, I’ve begun classes. View from plane leaving Boston! Things are moving along very quickly, but I am enjoying every minute of it! It is such a great feeling to know that I have accomplished one of my life goals and made it to optometry s

An Apple a Day

Aug 3, 2015
3 min

An Apple a Day

Very few things captivate my nerdy heart the same way that school supply shopping does. There is just something about being amongst aisle upon colorful aisle full of brand new binders, folders, and pens that makes me itch to get back into the classroom- if only just to use my new toys. Seeing notebooks without bent edges is much like having a clean slate to work on… and that is exactly what I imagine beginning school at ICO will be like. I won’t bore you with the long list of

Don’t Panic…

Jul 23, 2015
3 min

Don’t Panic…

It has been almost a year since I started ICO, and boy, has a lot happened! Am I happy to be at ICO? Incredibly. I have met some of the best people here, I have learned so much about myself (and about the eyes,) and I have found something that I really enjoy. However, if you would have asked me during the first week of classes if I had made the right decision, I probably wouldn’t have said all this. In fact, I actually told Beth Karmis that I thought I had made a huge mistake

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