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NBEO vs. OEBC

Nov 10, 2017
3 min

NBEO vs. OEBC

NBEO exams are the national optometric board certifications required in the United States. OEBC is the Canadian equivalent. Some optometry students only take American boards, and others take only Canadian, but there is a large group of students at ICO taking both. Usually, these students are from Canada and want to have the option of working in both places. Or, they are in a relationship with a Canadian and have to be open to living in either country. I’m the latter. (Side no

Music While Studying

Mar 8, 2017
2 min

Music While Studying

In optometry school, we’re studying a lot. While in undergrad, I definitely was not studying nearly as much as I am now. I’ve been finding myself distracted when I’m supposed to be preparing for that big test in two days. It’s truly funny the things I think about or find myself doing, instead. One thing that’s actually a positive distraction is when a good song pops up on my Pandora. I can’t help but lose focus for a bit and sing along. I never realized how big of an impact m

Should You Take Time Off Before Graduate School?

Jan 6, 2017
2 min

Should You Take Time Off Before Graduate School?

So, here’s the thing- graduate school is hard. Surprising, right? This is actually a really important point to think about when planning your graduate school career. When I decided to go to graduate school directly following college, I didn’t really realize how demanding my program would be. Now don’t get me wrong, I still think I made the right choice for myself when I decided not to take a year off. This doesn’t mean that it is necessarily the right move for you. Here are a

The Beginning of Boards: A Letter to Friends and Family

Dec 19, 2016
2 min

The Beginning of Boards: A Letter to Friends and Family

The other day, I was walking on the treadmill at the school Fitness Center when I looked over at the first year walking next to me. She was studying Ocular Anatomy, which brought me back to when I was first learning it. I could hardly believe that it has been over two years since I first learned that. I remember feeling overwhelmed with the packet of information that we received. How could we learn all of this in just one quarter? However, I had actually just gone through all

5 Resources You Should Get to Know at ICO

Sep 16, 2016
4 min

5 Resources You Should Get to Know at ICO

When I was first accepted to ICO, many of my professors and people I worked with told me how challenging it would be. The words went in one ear and out the other. I figured, “Well, everyone is different, and just because they say it will be hard doesn’t mean it’s something to stress over.” I still agree that it is important not to get too stressed. Now, though, having begun my second year, I also agree that it is definitely not easy. Something that has made my time at ICO a l

Help Me(usic) Help You!

Jun 17, 2016
2 min

Help Me(usic) Help You!

As the school year is fast approaching, and in light of all the horrific things happening in the world right now, sometimes there is the need to escape. Just for a moment, it’s nice to forget where you are, or perhaps reminisce on a different point in time. This can be a favorite memory, the smell of a childhood food or first rain as it hits a dusty ground, particular scenery you will never forget, or a fun trip with family and friends. One way to find that peace in our heart

Caffeinate to Concentrate: 10 Places to Study for Boards

Apr 15, 2016
3 min

Caffeinate to Concentrate: 10 Places to Study for Boards

With the dust of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) part I settling, and after taking a few weeks to recuperate, I can reflect on what I’ve learned- that is, both academically and also about where to caffeinate and concentrate in Chicago, IL. I’ve assembled a top 10 list of places I HIGHLY recommend to boost your energy, morale, and productivity. These are not listed in any particular order. Happy studying! Dollop Coffee Company – When you find yourself in ne

5 Tips for Surviving Finals Week

Feb 24, 2016
3 min

5 Tips for Surviving Finals Week

If you’re anything like me, you would have appreciated some advice going into your first finals week at ICO. Now, I have officially survived two finals weeks. I can offer a little insight, myself. Finals week is quite the ordeal. There’s no way to sugar coat it. Unless you’re one of those select few people who have been “ahead of the game” all quarter, the week gets pretty rough. It involves minimal sleep, hours of studying, and only two days over a seven day period where you

Slit Lamp Exam: A journey

Dec 10, 2015
2 min

Slit Lamp Exam: A journey

To practice being a doctor, sometimes you have to sit as a patient Last year, we learned visual acuity, entrance tests, direct ophthalmoscopy, and refraction. Last quarter, we learned near testing. Now, we have taken a turn for the… worse? If you consider learning slit lamp and BIO the worst, then you won’t think I’m over exaggerating. First Experience: I heard the slit lamp lab was very relaxed and not that hard. I walked into lab and found my patient. We both agreed we had

Delivery during Finals

Nov 16, 2015
1 min

Delivery during Finals

As most everyone knows, during finals week, we students pull all nighters and eat whatever is the easiest (I had McDonalds at least three times, twice in one day.) Some of us wear the same clothes every day, and we are lucky if we get five minutes away from our notes. This year for Halloween, we had to give up our costumes in exchange for the notes… but that doesn’t mean our dinnertime meal had to suffer! Instead, over finals, I learned/tried something new: Postmates. Most pe

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

Sep 25, 2015
3 min

A Promise to Myself

I’m the kind of person who likes to have a little bit of everything in his life. Variety is necessary for me to stay sane. I tend to get restless when I’m missing some aspect of my life, but then again, I also get bored when there’s too much of something in my life. So for second year, I promised myself that I would find my balance and do everything I wanted to do to the best of my ability. I was going to study harder, work harder, go out with my classmates and party harder,

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

Work Hard, Play Hard

Aug 29, 2013
2 min

Work Hard, Play Hard

Suddenly, I’m a full-fledged optometry student. We just finished our first two weeks of fall quarter and most of my classmates agree that our lives are a whirlwind of classes, clubs, and even some fun (yes, there is time for that still). Taking six classes (feels like nine if you include labs) is no easy feat, but it’s still so exciting to finally be starting the final leg of my education. As the first weekend started, the class of 2017 was revved up for a little fun after a

Celebrating My Birthday at ICO

Feb 6, 2013
2 min

Celebrating My Birthday at ICO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Um, or not. Since I’m a second year, I’ve now had two birthdays at ICO… both of which have been clouded by exams. Last year wasn’t so bad. Our third optics exam of the winter quarter fell on my birthday and was at 8 a.m., as all of our midterm exams are. So, I was able to get that out of the way, answer all of the phone calls from out-of-town family and friends, and take time to stalk people on Facebook to see who was paying attention to me on my gloriou

School Again

Nov 28, 2012
1 min

School Again

I had last week off from school to celebrate Thanksgiving and returned home to spend time with my family, eat delicious food and do some shopping. Prior to Turkey Day, I was reluctant to break up the relaxation period with schoolwork, so I didn’t hit the books much, studying just a little every other day. I got around to studying more diligently after Thursday. Although since we’ve only had a week of classes this quarter thus far, the coursework hadn’t piled up yet and by Mon

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