This year, we’re introducing monthly articles by student editors. Here’s our first series detailing what Optometry/Vis Sci students wished they knew. Oh boy, I wish us final years had access to these tips earlier on…We’ll be releasing one article per day this week (for 1st,2nd, 3rd and 4th year), so keep tuned!

What I Wish I’d Known in First Year – Veronica Giang, Class of 2020
Here are a few things I wish I’d known so that I could start first year on a good note!

1. There are plenty of people in the same boat as you, so don’t feel nervous. Try and get out of your comfort zone and talk to someone; it could really make their day and turn out to become a great friendship!
2. Don’t stress too much about work and exams. Obviously, do the best that you can and study hard, but try to really enjoy first year! The workload gets heavier as the years go by, so go make some memories while you have plenty of time!
3. Be friendly and get to know your lecturers well because they’re there in the background throughout your degree to help you!
4. Manage your time wisely to reduce stress levels. Likewise, try to get a healthy balance of social and educational activities to get the best out of uni.
5. You can eat in lectures – there’s no need to try hiding your food.

Editors: Cindy Van and Celine Zhang

Disclaimer: The views & opinions expressed in this post are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & views of the UNSW OptomSoc or UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science.

Orientation Week is all about getting to know the faculties, school, campus all while having a bit of fun! This year’s O-Week will be held from 20th February to the 24th February 2017, and the UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science will be there with our very own stall which runs from 9am to 4pm. You’ll be able to find us opposite Red Centre/Built Environment, adjacent to the Robert Webster Building. Come say hello!

You will have the chance to talk to current optometry students and learn what we get up to! There will be games and competitions to play and chances to win some prizes! The Optometry and Vision Science Talk will be held on Thursday 23rd of February from 4:00pm at Physics Theatre so be sure to come along and get involved. There will also be a tour provided by fourth stage students followed by a FREE Welcome BBQ generously sponsored by OptiMed and run by the UNSW OptomSoc team!

OptiMed is an Australian owned, fully independent wholesaler of Ophthalmic diagnostic and therapeutic instruments as well as pharmaceuticals. As students, OptiMed is a supplier of the diagnostic equipment we need to buy during our course (BIOs, retinoscopes, direct ophthalmoscopes etc.).

Come along to the BBQ and feast to your heart’s content! Thank you OptiMed!

Don’t forget to sign up for the Peer Mentoring Program as well! It’s a great way to meet fellow students and ask any questions to our amazing 4th year mentors.  https://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/intranet/peer-mentoring-programme

If you’re looking for information on O-Week in general, use this link:
http://www.arc.unsw.edu.au/fun/o-week

Welcome back everyone!

There is a buzz at Rupert Myers as a new year unfolds… 2016 was an amazing year for OptomSoc, with the executive team led by Henri, Vincent, Ron and Sarah taking our cozy society to greater heights!

We have great plans for 2017 including an inaugural Eye-Patch Pub Crawl, a fresh new hoodie design and the traditional favourites, our Annual Cruise and Eyeball, education nights and of course, plenty of BBQs. Keep in touch via our Facebook page and group, as well as our other social media pages. You don’t want to miss out!

To the soon-to-be first years, a big welcome and congratulations on making it into Optometry and Vision Science! You’re about to embark on an exciting, sometimes difficult but rewarding, journey at one of the best (well, we like to say THE best) Optometry schools in Australia. We are all here to help each other out and make the most of our time in uni. Please join this Facebook group to chat with your future colleagues! Feel free to ask any questions you may have on this page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/409757842707435/

To our generous sponsors of 2016, we thank you for your continued support. We can’t do what we do without you. Special shoutout to Optometry Australia, Provision, Luxottica, Opticare, Designs for Vision, Device Technologies, OptiMed, Coopervision and Young Optometrists!

It’s that time of the year again where everyone dresses up for a fun night out on the harbour.

WHEN: FRIDAY 1st of April 2016

WHERE: Man O War Steps, Circular Quay

The theme for this year is………. IN THE SAFARI vs UNDER THE SEA! So it’s time to pick a side and come in your BEST costume. There will be amazing prices for best-dressed on the night.

If you’re coming as part of the “UNDER THE SEA” gang, come dressed up anything related to the ocean. This can be anything from a mermaid, pirate, octopus or submarine.

If you’re on Team “IN THE SAFARI”, come dressed up as a lion, tiger, hunter, hippo, monkey, or even dress up with your friends to recreate a scene from The Lion King.

Ticket pricing is as follows:

• 1st release
  • $45 (optom/vis sci)
  • $55 (non-optom)
• 2nd release
  • $50 (optom/vis sci)
  • $60 (non-optom)

As always there is FREE pizza and UNLIMITED DRINKS (Bourbon, Vodka, Beer, Wine & Soft Drinks) with your ticket purchase. If you had fun last year – get your tickets ASAP because it’s going to be even better this year! If you haven’t been to a cruise before, get ready… because you’re in for a treat!

Tickets will be released early next week through your year reps, so remember to be fast because tickets are LIMITED!

[ Unfortunately this is an 18+ event only 🙁 ]

Bring your A-game and get ready to win some A-mazing prizes. See you all on the the night!

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

• OPTICARE Pty Ltd, OPTOMETRY AUSTRALIA (NSW/ACT), and LUXOTTICA for their support.

SPECIAL MENTION TO:

• Specsavers for sponsoring our prizes!

Date: Thursday 25th of Feburary 2016
What: Optimed Welcome BBQ for 1st year students and 4th year peer mentors. We welcomed our first year optometry and vision science students with food, drinks and some footy!

Special thanks to the team at OptiMed (esp John & Tanya) for sponsoring this BBQ and providing the USBs + t-shirt prizes

Date: Tuesday 23rd February 2016

What: Luxottica Sundowner for our 4th and 5th year students. The night kicked off with some fun and games where our students got competitive to win some gorgeous designer sunglasses! This was followed by a presentation from several members of the Luxottica team where they provided our students with a deeper insight into Luxottica careers and OneSight.

Special thanks to the team at Luxottica (especially Jules Baggoley) for organising this amazing evening!

Date: Monday 14th December 2015

What: Specsavers Student Membership Information Evening & End of Year Celebrations for 5th year students and current Specsavers student members. Our students attended a presentation which was then followed by tablegroup Q&As with Specsavers mentors.

Special thanks to the team at Specsavers Australia (Claire, Tina and Adelle) for organising such a great evening and also for the photos!

Welcome back everyone!

Another year has passed and another year of tears, laughter and unavoidable all-nighters is upon us. We got a blockbuster year planned for 2015!

First off, I’d like to introduce the new committee for 2015. This year’s committee will be headed by myself, Wilson, with Rose, Matt and Nora filling in the Vice presidency, treasury and secretary roles respectively. The old guard have done a wonderful job and we look to one up them!

Some more changes, we’ve also got a brand new responsive site up and running, to keep you all up to date on all our events throughout the year.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @unswoptomsoc !