Working in practice while studying has been incredibly helpful, as it gives you a realistic insight into what your future career will look like. From early on, you start to develop a balance between work and university, which makes managing both much easier over time. It also adds structure to your week—planning shifts around your studies encourages better time management and helps you stay organised. I personally work on weekends, and it provides a nice break from university while still allowing me to feel productive. Alongside, it also helps me budget and sharpen my financial skills.

One of the biggest benefits is how much it improves your communication skills. Regularly interacting with customers builds your confidence and helps you learn how to adapt your communication style to different people. This translates directly into clinic settings, where you can clearly see the difference in how you communicate with patients. Being able to explain things clearly and professionally becomes much more natural.

Working in practice also allows you to actively apply what you learn at university, which reinforces your understanding and improves recall. Skills such as dispensing and pre-screening develop much faster because you are consistently practicing them in a real-world environment. Over time, this repeated exposure builds both competence and confidence.

Another major advantage is the opportunity to work closely with experienced colleagues, including pre-registration students and qualified optometrists. Being in this environment allows you to ask questions, observe different approaches, and learn from their experience. I find it particularly stimulating when I carry out pre-screening tests, such as OCT scans, and come across interesting findings. I often follow up with the optometrist to discuss these results, which helps me develop my ability to recognise unusual scans and better understand underlying pathology.

In addition, working during your studies prepares you well for CLiP, where balancing clinical work with academic responsibilities becomes essential. Having prior experience makes this transition much smoother. However, it is important to be mindful of your limits and avoid burnout. Most practices are very supportive and understand the need to prioritise university, especially during exam periods.

Finally, working in a practice for an extended period can be beneficial for your future career, as they are often more likely to offer you a CLiP position. This also means you enter that stage already familiar with the team, the environment, and the expectations, which can make a significant difference in your confidence and overall experience.