Jenna's optometry experience
As an Ohio State Optometry student, Jenna cultivates her leadership skills both inside and outside the classroom. The warm and welcoming atmosphere makes it easy for her to build relationships with students and faculty, while taking roles in its many student groups develops her skills and confidence.
Jenna - Ohio State Optometry Student
Video Transcript
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Jenna: When I got here, I realized it was a lot more--at the College of Optometry--is a lot more of a close-knit community. I remember like going to the admissions day and speaking to some of the students, and then I remember coming from my interview here, and I thought it was going to be super intimidating, but everyone was just so nice and welcoming. I feel like you can start cultivating your leadership skills just in the classroom.
They start talking about leadership early when you start optometry school because they say like you'll be a leader in optometry.
Also all the clubs that they provide here, you kind of find your different passions, and then you're able to become a leader in that group if you want.
I led Fellowship of Christian Optometrists. I started out as a member, then became secretary, and then president for my third year.
Another club that I was pretty involved in was BSK, it's Beta Sigma Kappa.
A big thing I liked about that club was they do mock practicals for the second years, so you have the first years sitting as patients, second years being the doctor, and then third years being Proctors, and it was really cool just to see all the classes get to come together and like help each other and learn from each other.
So that was a big thing that made me want to become more involved in that group, as well.
Your professors, attendings, the faculty, they're really going to invest in you, and they have a way of encouraging you and supporting you, but also challenging you to really get to your best potential. My best advice is to really consider OSU and know that you'll get to your end goal of becoming an optometrist by coming here.