Tackling stress in CLiP: “Make time for the things that help you feel like yourself outside of work and studying”

For optometrists in training, juggling the demands of placements with studying, it can be easy for stress to build up.

The General Optical Council’s Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey 2026 found that, while taking a leave of absence due to stress remains relatively uncommon, registrants aged under 35 are more likely to report needing to take time off due to stress.

Research by optometrist Neil Retallic into work-related stress identified that 71% of pre-registration optometrists surveyed had scores indicative of concerning levels of distress.

This International Stress Awareness Week (2–6 November), AOP Councillors representing newly-qualified optometrists, Deepali Poojara and Bilaal Asif, shared their experiences of stress, how this has changed throughout their journey to qualification, and their tips for students in the midst of placements.

What has been your experience of stress during the pre-registration or Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) period? Were you expecting this?

Bilaal Asif (BA), newly-qualified optometrist on the AOP Council: I was aware beforehand that the pre-reg period was going to have some stress. This became evident after speaking with friends who were going through the process and my lecturers at university.

To manage this, I created a weekly plan with goals I aimed to achieve – for example, revising and preparing patient records for competencies. This helped me massively when it came to exam time.

Deepali Poojara (DP), newly-qualified optometrist on the AOP Council: I knew it was going to be challenging, but I don’t think I fully appreciated the mental load of balancing clinical learning, assessments and working in practice. I was trying to develop clinically, be a good team member and meet expectations, while also putting pressure on myself to progress.

Sometimes, even when I wasn’t physically working or studying, I was still thinking about what I needed to do next. I think that was the hardest part – learning how to manage the mental load, not just the workload.

How has your experience with stress changed as you have moved into or towards the newly-qualified stage of your career?

BA: The initial month felt different as there was no supervision, therefore all decisions were on myself to make. However, there was a sense of enjoyment that came with this as I now had complete autonomy over my mode of practice. Knowing with certainty that you are a qualified optometrist means you are capable of doing what is best for the patient.

DP: I think my relationship with stress is changing. I’m learning that being passionate about your career and wanting to do well doesn’t mean you have to give everything to it all the time. There’s always something more to learn in optometry and it can be easy to feel like you’re never doing enough.

I want to keep developing clinically, but I’m also recognising the importance of having a life outside of work. I think becoming more experienced is partly about learning to trust yourself, recognise your limits, and understand that you don’t have to know everything.

Knowing with certainty that you are a qualified optometrist means you are capable of doing what is best for the patient

What is one way you have learned to deal with stress in the workplace?

BA: To keep complete focus on the work at hand and ensure that the patient remains safe and looked after – with this mindset, I don’t think you can go wrong.

DP: One thing I have learned is to focus on what is in front of me rather than becoming overwhelmed by everything I need to achieve. I can be someone who thinks about the bigger picture and puts pressure on myself to get everything right, so breaking things down and prioritising what needs to happen now really helps. I’ve also learned that asking questions or seeking support isn’t a weakness. In a clinical environment, recognising when you need help is part of being a safe and responsible practitioner.

What is one piece of advice you would have for optometrists in the pre-registration or Clinical Learning in Practice period?

BA: My advice would be to plan and prepare as much as you can during this part of your career. I would also encourage trainees, during their training period, to think about the direction they want to take their career in after they qualify.

DP: Be kind to yourself and try not to measure your progress against everyone else’s. People learn differently and you often only see the outside of someone else’s journey, not what they are dealing with behind-the-scenes.

It’s important to take your training seriously, but remember you are a person as well as a trainee optometrist. Make time for the things that help you feel like yourself outside of work and studying. You can be ambitious and care deeply about your career without sacrificing your wellbeing in the process.

In a clinical environment, recognising when you need help is part of being a safe and responsible practitioner

When you have stepped out of practice for the day, is there one thing you do that helps you to switch off from work?

BA: Socialising with friends is something that has helped me switch off from work. It’s important to remember that we have lives outside of optometry that we need to live and enjoy.

DP: It’s my weekly football sessions and spending time with friends who let me be myself outside of optometry. Football gives me something completely different to focus on – and I get my extra steps in running around the pitch. It helps me release tension, get out of my own head, and be present in the moment.

I think having people and activities outside of work that remind you there is more to life than your career is really important, especially in a profession where you’re constantly learning and thinking about other people’s wellbeing.

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Deepali Poojara reflects on her journey to qualification as she approaches her final two assessments