Exams and GPA come first, but I promise there IS time to get involved and stay balanced.
Whether it is research with a professor, student government, clubs, or leadership opportunities, getting involved will allow you to meet doctors, students, and have exclusive experiences that will ultimately make you a better clinician.
Putting in effort to be active in school will allow you to make friends, open doors to more networking opportunities, build your resume, manage your time, make school more enjoyable, and help you discover new career interests and connections. For example, joining SVOSH/Lions Club and attending vision screenings has allowed me to perfect my patient interactions and improve my clinical skills outside of campus. Joining Private Practice Club has given me countless advice on how to best approach post-grad life, deal with finances, and navigate running or being part of a practice. The SCCO Professional Committee has allowed me to network with doctors locally and around the US as well as advocate at a national level. Other clubs such as NOSA, Omega Delta, Spanish Optometric Society, MSA, ISA, and so many more can connect you with like-minded individuals and teach you about various topics!
I suggest for everyone to attend Club Info Night at the beginning of fall quarter and sign-up for as many clubs as you are curious about! Most clubs only meet monthly, and meetings are completely optional. There are certainly a lot of clubs, so I suggest that you consider ALL you have interest in your first year, no matter how big or small, which will help you decide which clubs you ultimately want to stay connected to in future years. You can check them out on our Campus Engagement Platform, Presence.
Additionally, if the opportunity arises for a class board, student government, or research positions, I encourage you to apply if interested! Taking on these roles and being involved will enhance your graduate school experience and make you a more well-rounded and personable doctor.
