Student Focus on Avae Lockwood

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Name: Avae Lockwoodk
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Monument, Colorado
High School: Dublin Jerome
Undergraduate Institution: The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Degree: Psychology
Anticipated #OSUopt Graduation Year: 2027

Q&A

How old were you when you received your first eye exam? What was the experience like for you?

I was in middle school when I had my first eye exam! I remember it being a very important part of my family's health care and that my parents valued our optometrist so much. My first optometrist was truly an inspiration to me years later in choosing my career because of how comfortable and fun he made eye care seem! He helped my dad with his advancing keratoconus diagnosis, and I remember how vital his support and persistence was to my dad at the time.

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in optometry?

I was in a biomedical academy program in high school when I decided I wanted to be involved in health care. It wasn’t until I met and started babysitting for my optometrist in Ohio that I really opened up to the idea of being an optometrist one day; seeing how much of a positive impact she had on her patients and how happy she was in her career was inspirational. We would sit for hours, and she would share her experiences, answer all my questions and help guide me down the path to eventually choose optometry. I knew optometry was right for me because it combined my passion for helping others and my curiosity about vision and ocular health.

Why did you choose Ohio State Optometry?

I chose optometry because of my personal experiences with the field. My dad has keratoconus, and hearing his stories about his vision changes and then experiencing some of my own in vision therapy really opened my eyes to optometry’s value. Ohio State Optometry from there was a no-brainer; I knew that being the best clinician and advocate for my patients meant attending Ohio State Optometry. I made the choice to attend Ohio State for undergrad to be closer to OSU Optometry, joining the pre-optometry club, serving on the board and making “optometry-hopeful” friends along the way. The second I walked into my interview, I knew I was home and it's been a blast ever since.

What was your first impression of Ohio State Optometry?

My first impression was some shock and some familiarity, of how at home I felt on my alma mater’s graduate campus and, at the same time, how different my education had become. Nothing could have prepared me for how fast-paced the academics are in professional school, but I found so much joy and comfort in the community Ohio State establishes and with my classmates. Ohio State will always be my home, and I was really just excited to have made it to the next step of my journey in optometry.

What surprised you most about Ohio State and/or Columbus?

Not much changed for me from undergrad to professional school, as I attended Ohio State before optometry school. I was lucky enough to be comfortable and confident in Columbus to begin with, and I tried to share that with my classmates. I remember at the welcome dinner teaching a fellow Opt I how to use the bus system on campus, and feeling so excited to share my favorite city and campus with a whole new group of people. Columbus is a place I have grown so much and I will always feel a special connection to Ohio State for all it gave me.

Which clubs/organizations have you joined at Ohio State?

I have been lucky enough to become the fundraising and apparel chair of the Epsilon Psi Epsilon (EYE) fraternity at Ohio State for this upcoming year! EYE has been one of the most special and exciting parts of my first year so far, introducing me to some of my best friends and helping me acclimate to professional school. I also plan to be involved in the Sports Vision Club and the Master’s Club.

Who has most positively affected you during your time as an optometry student so far?

Truly, my professors have been so impactful and influential this last year. Having such successful and helpful professors to guide me throughout this last year has been so important; Ohio State Optometry really has the greatest mix of professors and clinicians and I always feel so inspired and cared for. It was my professors who encouraged my application to the OD/MS program, which I began this fall and I know I can always count on them to guide me through the rest of my education.

What was your favorite part of optometry school so far and what are you looking forward to in future years of the program?

My favorite part of school so far has been shadowing in the clinic with the OPT IIIs. Being able to have a sneak peek into clinic flow and patient care has really opened my eyes to how impactful our education is. Seeing how an eye exam takes place and applying knowledge from class with the student doctors is like the light at the end of the tunnel for an OPT I! It has really made me excited to begin second year and learn skills for clinic.

What advice do you have for future optometry students?

My advice would be, keep the big picture in mind. It can be easy to get lost in the curriculum of first year and forget what it's all for, but when I would become overwhelmed I would take myself back to why I wanted to be an optometrist. Staying present in why you are working so hard and what will eventually come of it is how I pushed through the tough moments! I am so proud and excited of future optometry students for choosing the best career!