AOP student reps 2026: “It takes time to adjust to university life, and that’s normal”

Meeting like-minded people. Broadening your horizons. Trying out new hobbies. Exploring new places. Bonding over a coffee. A quiet moment with a bowl of comfort food.

Starting university can be an overwhelming time, but there is also so much to look forward to. Here, four AOP student representatives look back on what starting university felt like for them and their advice for new optometry students embarking on the journey this autumn.

How did you feel when you first started the optometry course?

Zi Yu Dong (ZYD), second year student and AOP student representative for Anglia Ruskin University: I went into the course feeling optimistic. I really enjoyed optics because of the maths involved. The anatomy of the eye also intrigued me and continues to do so. Learning is great – what a privilege.

Matilda Wong (MW), second year student and AOP student representative for Ulster University: Excited to learn about new things and anxious about catching up on lessons and settling into a new country. At the same time, I was worried about things such as registering with a GP, banking, shopping, and finding friends – everything international students have to go through.

Daniah Hadeethi (DH), second year student and AOP student representative for Cardiff University: I felt excited but also nervous. Starting university is a huge step, and everything was different; from the teaching style to the workload, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. At the same time, I was really excited about the clinical side of the course, learning new skills, and discovering how fascinating and complex the anatomy of the eye is. It was definitely a mix of emotions.

Saahirah Saiyed (SS), second year student and AOP student representative for the University of Huddersfield: When I first started optometry, I was so nervous – I was completely alone, and I didn’t know anybody in my course or anyone at my uni. Being a commuter student made me worry that I may not get to build connections as easily. But I also remember being excited to begin the course and learn about the field of optometry.

First year has so many bubbles of greatness

What helped you to settle into university life the most?

ZYD: I am very grateful to have made new amazing friends. This helped me feel at home even though I was away from home. I would say keeping in regular touch with family also helps with settling in.

MW: I was lucky to get to know more senior students who understood the difficulties and were willing to help. Having someone to talk to helps with nerves and makes settling in less stressful. I will miss them as they graduated this summer.

DH: Making friends was one of the biggest things that helped me settle in. I also made an effort to get involved by attending freshers’ fair, which was a lot of fun and a great way to meet people. Having regular support from my personal tutor also made a huge difference. They were always there to offer advice and reassurance whenever I felt unsure or worried.

SS: Joining societies during my fresher’s fair helped me settle in a lot. I met people who were interested in the same societies, and people on my course with the same hobbies and interests that I had. It also helped to find people on my course through socials before uni began, as I got to know a few people and could ask for help with things like enrolment.

What was the best thing about your first year?

ZYD: First year has so many bubbles of greatness. The best thing that happened was that I learnt from the people around me. I gained inspiration from my older peers; for example, I started to think about improving my skills and so I went job seeking.

MW: Placement week. I learned so much from the practice owner in such a short period of time. I also had the opportunity to communicate with patients, gain a glimpse into the day-to-day operation of an independent practice, and learn how the industry works in this country.

DH: The best part was learning so many new skills and seeing how much I improved throughout the year. It was really rewarding to go from knowing very little to being able to perform a full eye examination by the end of first year. Looking back, it made me realise just how much I’d learned in such a short time.

SS: I think the best thing about my first year was meeting new friends. Somehow, our hangouts always seemed to revolve around food, whether that was working on assignments in a cafe, or having a meal after exams. They helped me a lot in the last year and meeting them definitely helped me feel more at home in uni.

Accomplishing the little tasks you set for the day or week not only boosts confidence but also helps you gear towards the person you aim to become

What one action would you recommend first-year optometry students take to set themselves up for success?

ZYD: Definitely make sure you stay organised and diligent with lectures and assignments. It will only help you form good habits moving into the next academic year. Saying that, I had to learn and adapt my routine along the way. Success comes from constant self-improvement. Do remember to have fun too.

MW: Setting small goals is important. Accomplishing the little tasks you set for the day or week not only boosts confidence but also helps you gear towards the person you aim to become.

DH: Start learning from the beginning and try not to leave everything until the last minute. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek advice from lecturers, personal tutors, or older students whenever you’re unsure. Most importantly, be patient with yourself, it takes time to adjust to university life, and that’s normal.

SS: Don’t skip your lectures. Unless I was sick, I tried to attend every lecture, even on the days where I had early lessons or delayed trains. When it comes to exam season, it helps so much to already understand the content – it means you can spend your time revising rather than learning it for the first time.