The Optometry Program has been great so far. I have learned so much over the past two months. Two months ago I had no idea how to read my own glasses prescription, now I am able to view a dummy eye with an unknown lens power and determine the prescription of that eye using retinoscopy.  I am currently learning how to use a slit lamp to view various features of the eye and also examine the overall health of my patient’s eye.  I am really enjoying learning the different clinical skills which I will use throughout my career (fingers crossed) as an Optometrist. One of the key things about studying Optometry is to practise the new clinical skills and techniques that you are being taught on a regular basis. When you are learning a new technique for the first time it might be easy to forget that technique without frequent practise. The optometry clinic labs here at City, University of London are open on a regular basis allowing us students have the ability to practise the techniques whenever we want on our own free time. I find myself going to the clinic lab on a regular basis throughout the week practising the techniques that I will be using throughout my career.

Living in London has been a good experience so far. I have met a lot of people and created new friendships both with people from my course and other courses. Many of these friendships were born back in freshers week when there were various events being run by the university. Coming from Canada, there was definitely an adjustment period. Speaking with other Canadian and international students many agree that the beginning of this adjustment period is not always easy; some of us have left our families and friends behind and have come to a new and foreign environment.  Having the support of the friends you make during freshers week and throughout university can help you through the first few weeks. Your new friends will give you tips and teach you skills when navigating through London like what tube lines you should avoid at certain times to make sure you are not late for labs and lectures. They can also be someone you can talk to on a regular basis when you just want to talk.

From my own personal experience everyone in the optometry department is very approachable and kind, both students and teachers. The academics are extremely approachable and always make an effort to help you. When you have a question or are stuck with something they will never turn you away and will work with you to help you understand. The teaching staff also care about your well-being. Sometimes while I am having a conversation with an academic, they will ask me how I am finding University life; how I am dealing with my courses and how I am adjusting to life in London. Although they are meant to teach you and evaluate you based on the knowledge you have gained and skills you develop these individuals also genuinely care about you. At City all students also get assigned a personal tutor, this tutor is an academic who teaches on your course. We have to meet up with our tutor throughout the year so they can check up on us ask us how we are doing and help us with anything we are struggling with.  Many students may have not much to say with their tutor but the help is there if you need it. The University creates different forms of support to help you through your studies.

I’ve found all the optometry students to be very approachable regardless of what year they are in. When practicing in the clinic labs, you can always ask a higher year student for help or tips and tricks to a particular skill and most of them will make an effort to help you and provide you with accurate information.

So that’s how I’m getting on at City and in London so far, two months in and still lots of exciting things to come!

Hey there! My name is Andrew Geris. I am currently a first year Optometry student at City, University of London. I am an international student from Toronto Canada. Living in London so far has been an incredibly new experience for me. This is my first time living away from home. I am always learning on the go trying to adjust to life here in London. When I first saw the London tube map I could not believe my eyes. If you compare it to the Toronto subway map you will understand what I mean. But once you actually analyze the tube map and look at the different lines it is actually not so bad. I am able to travel to any area of London with ease now. I live in a house in the Wood Green area of London. My journey to university is roughly 40 minutes in the morning during peak time (rush hour) on the tube. Wood Green is a nice busy area here in London; there is a big shopping mall and a ton of shops and restaurants on the high street. This makes the streets always packed with people. So what can I tell you about me… I love basketball. I enjoy watching NBA games as well as playing the sport. Next door to my home here in London is an outdoor basketball court. I think that was the only reason I picked the house I am living in right now.

Over the coming weeks and months I’ll be writing this blog to tell you all about my experiences as a first year Optometry student and how I’m getting on living in London. I hope you enjoy my posts.