The Illinois College of Optometry Student Blog

I was fortunate enough to serve as one of two second-year class reps for ICO’s Class of 2020 last year. On top of helping our class figure out how to make our experience at ICO better for us and future classes, there were also many events I was able to get involved with! One of my favorites was the presidential recruiting process as the institution seeks a successor for Dr. Arol Augsbuger. Student leaders were chosen to attend a lunch with the presidential candidates. We met

The last few weeks at ICO are bittersweet. At some (or all) times, it’s a mix of feelings: exciting, overwhelming, sad. The Class of 2018 is almost done. We have finished our classes, clinical care, and just need to walk across the stage to get our diplomas. To say the class of 2018 is excited would be an understatement. We are ready to go off into the real world or residency. We are excited to start making money. Some of us are even excited to take a month off and travel. Ka

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

It was nearly four years ago that I first joined ICO as a student and as a blogger. It’s a bittersweet experience for me to sit here after it’s all over, knowingly writing my last blog and thinking back to the four years that have brought me to this point. I’ve gained some great friends, lasting memories, and invaluable clinical pearls during my time at ICO. When I think about some of my favourite times at ICO, I recall my circle of friends and our spot on the second floor by

Is this actually happening? With a blink of an eye, grad week is upon us. I will be honest with you. We’ve hoped for its quick delivery, crossed days off our calendars, and have learned all too well what we can accomplish in 12-week periods. Now that grad week is here, though, I am sorry that it is. Commencement means leaving friends who have inspired me and faculty mentors that have become friends. It would be a gross oversight to not reflect on these last four years during