Third-Year Optometry Student: Abigale Simmons

My name is Abigale Simmons, I am a third-year student in the Traditional Optometry Program at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

My mornings typically start pretty early due to my commute, so I wake up and get ready around 6 a.m. before heading to school. Today my day begins at The Eye Institute, where I’m in clinic seeing patients from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. while learning firsthand what it takes to become an optometrist. I try to take in as much as I can while working closely with my peers and preceptors. Once clinic wraps up, I head straight to the gym on campus in Elkins Park. It’s my reset before diving into the second half of the day. After the gym, I grab lunch and recharge before class.

From 1 to 5 p.m., I have back-to-back lectures. Today we have Binocular Vision and Posterior Segment Disease lectures. It’s a mix of taking notes and keeping up with the heavy flow of information. After class, I head home, eat dinner, then spend the evening studying. I usually review notes from class and clinic, or prep for any upcoming exams. Then it’s time to go to sleep and do it all again tomorrow!