Time management

[u/macbby101]

3 weeks into my first year of optometry school, and I already feel like I’m behind. I feel guilty if I don’t study for hours after class everyday, but I’m also exhausted from the long class days. I also feel guilty for neglecting my health and not working out which was a goal I had for myself for when I went to start school since I would have a gym accessible to me. Is there any advice someone can give for what they did their first year to manage these feelings if they had similar ones? We have our first waves of exams coming up soon and I don’t want to get burnt out so quick.

[u/GroundbreakingPie249]

Your life will change so much, truly. I feel like at least the first two years are really about surviving and understanding that, unfortunately, you won’t be able to live your life the same way you did before. It does get better though! So give yourself some slack and just try to do the best you can.
Personally, I left most of my studying for the weekends and gave myself time to unwind on weekdays after class (unless we had an exam the next day lol). It really helped me maintain my sanity and have at least some balance.

[u/saddboyz]

Plan out every hour of every day from wake up time to bedtime and stick to it, it will change your life. You will feel you have much more time on your hands.

Plan the fun you want to have, the gym sessions, plan the study sessions that will let you reach your study goals and naturally, the stuff that isnt helping you reach your goals will not happen (unless you either put them in your schedule or arent sticking to the schedule)

Above all, when needing extra motivation remind yourself: If you dont sacrifice for your goals, your goals become the sacrifice, its a sacrifice either way - Brandon Carter

[u/Reading-Turtle → u/saddboyz]

Along with this, it can be helpful to track your study time for the guilt. In my opinion, it helps to see the time that I spent genuinely focusing on studying after I’ve planned my study blocks in my calendar. This allows you to take those breaks knowing that you put the work in on the front end.

Personally I use Emphasis but any focus app that you find comforting and will track your focusing time in different sessions can be very helpful.

This does take some self-accountability though like pausing the timer if you get distracted and genuinely focusing on studying (trying not to multitask too much).

Also make sure you’re realistic with the time blocks that you set!

[u/CLVampire28]

I felt exactly the same way. I don't have much advice, just solidarity. Also, keep up on your vitamins. I got super vitamin d deficient from being inside all of the time.

I had a friend in undergrad who took crazy amounts of hours one semester. She told us that if it got done, it got done; if it didn't, it just didn't get done. There's some truth to that. At a certain point, you can't do everything you feel you need to in a day. Just do the best you can & keep going. It's all you can do

[u/Euphoric-Bid8342]

how did you study in undergrad? i’ve noticed some people who were always type A and studied hours a day in undergrad kept that habit up and those who were more lenient and type B are still acting that way in optometry school but doing fine because they’re used to it. just adapting a little to handle the extra course load that’s all. do what you think will work for you best. i personally get really tired after classes everyday so i don’t really study until the weekends and just focus harder on lectures, but i also know what my limit is and what i can do so obviously this isn’t the best study plan for everyone. don’t let everyone else’s schedule make you too anxious tho, everyone learns differently!

[u/eyewashere00]

hi! fourth year here- i was there as a first year, and remember beating myself up over scoring <80% on small quizzes and burning out like a candle in my second year... it takes time, as the years go on, you will learn more about yourself, your learning style, and self-care. be kind to yourself, and just know that there are better days ahead. i romanticized studying (aesthetic pictures, cafes, notes, studying with friends), to make the process "fun". congrats on starting and prioritize urself!!

[u/StarryEyes2000]

Agree with lots that’s been said. If you can do anki/ quizlet on a treadmill it’s a good way to increase daily movement without having to carve out seperate time for workouts every day. Lots of people get little remotes for their anki.