Getting the Most out of Grad School

Salus University Orientation Summer 2016

The first day of orientation for Salus University is something I’ll never forget. Looking around at the sea of new students in their professional best, it seemed as though everyone was full of excitement and anticipation. While it appeared everyone’s attention was focused on meeting the new people around them and figuring out who was in what program, every few seconds eyes were darting toward the small stage and microphone at the front of the gymnasium – anxious to begin. Graduate schools brought about a new excitement and promise that undergrad had not: Ending your schooling with a job in the profession you had dreamed about. Until this point going to school and getting good grades always seemed mundane because you were achieving your highest just in hopes of being accepted into another school, to go to more classes, and take more tests. Being involved in clubs and community service started to become something you did just to impress the member of a panel, scholarship selection committee, or to fill another line on your application. But in graduate school, that all changes.

Day one of class introduced Dr. Lombardi, one of the smartest and most knowledgeable professors I have ever encountered. The class was Head and Neck Anatomy and her ability to name the muscles, actions, innervations, and relation to ocular conditions left me with my mouth hanging open. It was on our break between the first and second hour of class that it hit me—my ability to retain knowledge was no longer for the purpose of acing the test, now it was dependent on me providing my patient with the best care possible by knowing the ins and outs of the eye and its tissues. While at first, this feeling created a huge lump in my throat, I quickly realized this wasn’t something to be intimidated by, but a feeling I could channel into learning all that I was able. Graduate school really put the ball in my court and it was now up to me to decide how much I would get out of every lecture and lab. This was a theme I quickly realized would trickle down through everything I participated in while at Salus.

Realizing everything you’re learning in class has a practical input in your career field helps you to hang onto every word the professor says, study every diagram with intent, and try to master every skill you learn in the clinical setting. After settling into the new style of lectures and labs that were different from my classes in undergrad, I decided it was time to check out the different clubs and organizations that graduate school had to offer.

AOSA at the Wormington 5k

While the list was long and had a spectrum of clubs to suit any interest, I decided to really focus my energy on the activities that would translate into my career after graduation. Instead of trying to get my hand into every pot, why not really focus on what I enjoyed and activities that would help me grow as a person and an optometrist? That is how I came about getting involved in the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) as the Director of Internal Affairs. I knew I wanted to learn more about my profession and its governing body, the American Optometric Association, so joining its student branch seemed like a great fit. By dedicating my time outside of class and clinic to the activities that I have grown passionate about, I have been able to learn about the advocacy side of optometry and how passing bills in the Senate and House dictate the scope of practice. The best part is, after I walk across the stage on graduation day, all my hard work in this club doesn’t end there, but it translates in my participation as a practicing optometrist. 

While graduate school can seem scary or daunting at first, and you may want to try and immediately spread yourself thin like many of us did in undergrad, really take the time to think about what you want to get out of it by graduation day. This is the time to take in as much knowledge as you can and focus your efforts on the activities that are going to elevate you in the profession you are working towards. Salus provides you with the tools and support necessary to become the best in your profession; it’s just up to you to put in the work necessary, get advice and help from the outstanding faculty and professors, and navigate your personal interests so that your educational experience is tailored to you.

- Chad is a second year optometry student at Salus University

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School’s Out Forever! – Or Not…

Salus University AuD Class of 2020 

Five years after graduating from college, I decided to go back to school to study Audiology at Salus University. I was excited to start learning and move forward with my career but also pretty nervous. Transitioning to a rigorous graduate program would definitely take some adjustment. It’s not as if I had just been binge watching Netflix and going out to brunch every day but I certainly was no longer used to being a full-time student. It is natural to worry about going back to school after a few (or more) years away. Here’s a few of my pre-grad school worries and thoughts on how to make it through:

Adjusting to the schedule: Since my undergrad graduation, I have been relatively successful at keeping a schedule. I filled my time with plenty of full-time work and volunteer experiences, complimented by a healthy social life. Typically I had a “9 to 5” schedule, and at 5 o’clock I went home. When I was away from work, I was rarely thinking about work. I went on vacations for weeks at a time and I could leave town every weekend if I felt so inclined (who doesn’t want to go to Bermuda in February?). The decision to go back to school initiated a big change in lifestyle. There would be little to no “time off” and there would be homework, lots of homework. I had to learn how to manage my time in a completely new way. I had to organize my schedule for school but also try to fit in the other aspects of my life that keep me sane. Since I was no longer able to leave town on a whim to clear my head, I had to find little things that I can do on a regular basis to help me stay focused. For me that includes a part-time job, a religious community, and a regular yoga class. It is impossible to be studying all day every day. Remember that you are a person, not a machine!

Connecting with your classmates: First of all, going back to school in your late 20s (like me) is a totally normal thing to do. Going back to school anytime is an amazing thing to do and you should never feel like it’s too late to get an education! However, there are a whole lot of students who are driven/crazy enough to go straight from their undergraduate program into a graduate program. And because of this, you (like me) could be worried that they will think you are old and weird; maybe you feel out of the loop socially. Well, not to worry, everyone at Salus just happens to be really nice. Honestly, I was so surprised at how welcoming the other students were and how they did not care when they found out that I was born before 1990. I was also surprised to find that I was not alone. There were other students who were in a very similar point of life when they decided to go back to school. Now, maybe we don’t hang out on the weekends and I still go back to NY as often as I can to see my friends, but we have a solid bond in our class. I have also found my younger classmates to be a strength to me because they remember what they studied in undergrad biology classes, whereas I do not. And luckily they are more than happy to share their knowledge. I should really thank admissions for only letting nice people into this school. Remember to give people a chance to surprise you!

Being in “student mode” again: Right before I came to Salus I was working at a hospital as a hearing screener for newborn babies. I loved my job, which is how I ended up going back to school. I was nervous to go to lectures, take exams, to study from a textbook. It’s been several years since I did any of that. I was afraid my time away from school would be a disadvantage. But since starting this program, I have found that my experiences before coming back to school have really helped me to be a better student. I find that I am more motivated than I was in my undergraduate program. I have a much greater desire to learn everything and I am not afraid to ask questions. The material is difficult, but it’s also fascinating. It took a couple weeks to get used to sitting through several hours of lecture and to translate my notes into something I could study from. But the struggle was worth the effort. There are times when I feel like I ask a lot of questions, but it helps everyone in the end. Remember that you may come into a class with a completely different perspective–but that’s a good thing!

So just enjoy the opportunity to focus 100% of your energy on your given field. The transition will take some time, and when graduation rolls around it will be a whole new balancing act. Speaking for myself, I hope to take full advantage of the next few years and reap the benefits of the education I receive. Besides, I can always go to Bermuda some other time.

- Ellen is a first year audiology student at Salus University

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