With April in sight, fourth-year optometry students are counting down the days until graduation. One of these students, Hellen Xu, looks back at her time at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
What initially drew you to optometry?
During my undergrad, I volunteered in different healthcare settings, including a pharmacy, a family doctor’s office and an optometrist’s office. I saw myself most in an optometrist’s position. I watched the impact they made in people’s lives through personalized care. For instance, family doctors only spend 15 minutes with patients, but when I shadowed an optometrist, I noticed that they spend 45 minutes with each patient to form a genuine connection. I also got the impression it would be a fulfilling career where I wouldn’t fall into a mundane routine, since continued learning is essential.
Reflecting on your first year, what was the transition like from undergrad?
My first year was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I was still in Vancouver. We didn’t meet our classmates or have orientation where we would have had the opportunity to bond. Although it was a stressful time and we didn’t meet each other right away, our class is now very close. When we came to the school, what I found most different from undergrad was the course load. The good news is that we all support each other. In undergrad, classes could have 300 people, but here, each class has the same 90 people, which makes us a very tight-knit community.
What have been your greatest challenges and rewarding experiences?
Learning how to provide patient-centered care was my biggest challenge. After second year, we started interacting with real patients instead of practicing with our classmates. I would doubt myself—whether I’m actually fit to be an optometrist. I needed to be confident and know that I am trying my best to help the patient. Fortunately, the more we encounter patients, the more my confidence develops.
My most rewarding experiences were mission trips through Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH). In the summer of my second year, I went to Malawi, Africa and this past November, I went to Jamaica. With the skills I have learned here, I was able to help underprivileged communities where healthcare access is limited. Being in Canada, I think that we should be grateful every day and we should use our privilege to contribute to less fortunate communities. Those patients are the ones that make this journey very rewarding and worth the long nights of studying.
What are you looking forward to after graduating?
After graduation, I will be moving back to my hometown, Vancouver, to work as an optometrist. I’m particularly interested in pursuing specialty contact lenses and myopia control. Any optometrist can do an eye exam on a healthy 25-year-old, but I have found that patients who can’t use soft contact lenses are far more rewarding because they especially need our help. I wish more optometrists knew how to fit specialty lenses, since many patients would benefit from us being knowledgeable about the technologies and management options available.
Overall, I’m nervous, but also excited to graduate because we’re currently somewhat sheltered by supervisors. Once we start practicing, we will be more on our own, so that’s the nerve-racking part. However, Waterloo has prepared us well and I’m excited to be independent—to make my own decisions on what to do and how to manage patients.
What would you tell someone who is considering attending the School of Optometry and Vision Science?
Be proactive in seeking out opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom. Stay curious and never stop learning because the optometric field is constantly evolving. Build strong relationships with your peers and professors, as they'll be the ones helping you focus when things get blurry. Embrace the challenges and opportunities that come your way, while staying committed to your goals and passion. Your time in optometry school is a spectacle waiting to unfold!