Coping with stress and disillusionment as a student or fresher in the optometry profession is not an easy journey, but it's one filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery
Coping with stress and disillusionment as a student or fresher in the optometry profession is not an easy journey, but it's one filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery. You stand at the threshold of a profession where your work can have a profound impact on people's lives. However, the pressures of study, internships, exams, and the uncertainty of starting your career can often cloud your vision, leaving you feeling stressed and disillusioned. But remember, it's in these challenging moments that you are truly being shaped.
Embrace Stress as a Teacher
Stress is an inevitable part of any ambitious pursuit. As a student or fresher, the key is not to eliminate stress, but to learn how to navigate through it. “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors,” says an African proverb, reminding us that adversity builds resilience. Understand that the stress you are experiencing is a sign that you are growing. The more challenges you face, the more capable you become. Take time to reflect, practice mindfulness, and use this pressure to drive you toward becoming a better version of yourself.
Maintain Your Focus on Purpose
In times of disillusionment, when the reality of the profession doesn't quite match your expectations, return to your original purpose. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” said Mahatma Gandhi. You entered the field of optometry to serve, to help, and to heal. Every patient you interact with, every diagnosis you make, is a step toward fulfilling that purpose. Remember why you started, and let that sense of purpose guide you through the moments of doubt.
Learn from Every Setback
As you face the inevitable setbacks—whether in exams, practical sessions, or in clinical experiences—it’s important to reframe failure not as defeat but as an opportunity to grow. As Nelson Mandela once wisely remarked, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” Each mistake teaches you something invaluable, something you couldn’t have learned without experiencing that failure. Let every challenge you face be a lesson, and trust that each one is bringing you closer to mastery.
The Importance of Persistence
Optometry is a profession that demands precision, patience, and continuous learning. In the early stages, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of knowledge and skill you need to acquire. But in these moments, remember the words of Swami Vivekananda: “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life—think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” Focus on one step at a time, and gradually you will realize that every small effort contributes to the bigger picture.
Build a Strong Support System
No journey is meant to be walked alone. “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it,” said H.E. Luccock. Surround yourself with a supportive network of peers, mentors, and colleagues. Lean on them when things get tough, and offer your support to others in return. The optometry profession is built on collaboration and mutual growth. Together, you can overcome obstacles that might seem insurmountable on your own.
Patience, Patience, and More Patience
One of the most important lessons for any student or professional is the value of patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor is expertise in optometry. “Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while we’re waiting,” said Joyce Meyer. Understand that you are laying the foundation for a lifelong career. Each day of study, every hour spent in practice, is building your competence and confidence. Trust in the process and allow yourself the grace to progress at your own pace.
Believe in Yourself
Finally, never forget the power of self-belief. Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” The belief you hold in yourself is one of the most powerful tools you possess. You have already accomplished so much just by stepping into this profession, and there is no limit to what you can achieve with perseverance, determination, and confidence.
Coping with stress and disillusionment is part of the journey, but it does not define you. It’s how you choose to respond to these challenges that matters most. As Adi Shankaracharya wisely said, “The mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation.” Choose to free yourself from the weight of stress and doubt by focusing on growth, learning, and the deep sense of purpose that brought you here. Your future is bright, and every step you take now is a step toward a fulfilling, impactful career.
Keep moving forward with courage and conviction, for “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today” - Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Venkataramanan Ramasethu
Kolkata
