Working in practice whilst being a student can be a strange scenario. It certainly holds excellent value for students, but not without challenges. Let's look at what to expect, what you can do to prepare for employment while studying, and what the benefits will be.

When you first find employment, it can feel overwhelming if it is your first job or if you are joining a whole new team. You can expect to be buddied up with an experienced team member and have frequent check ins with your management team. Essential skills need to be developed initially including: 

• professionalism
• team working skills
• appropriate communication techniques

Communication skills are difficult to teach completely in a classroom and are honed over time. From my experience in practice, this is the area students typically struggle with the most initially. I would advise to observe the tone, vocabulary, and body language your clinicians employ and reflect upon this to improve your own communication. Reflective practice is essential to progress, and this is why it is intrinsic within the General Optical Council’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme.

Being a Dispensing Optician Manager, it felt quite uncomfortable becoming a student again. This is because the feeling of being thrown in at the deep end is never easy, no matter how much preparation you do. However, through appropriate supervision and guidance, the repetition of your skills play a huge part in your development so I would urge you not to shy away from these scary moments. Remember that you are new to the role so do not put too much pressure on yourself. Appreciate your own limits, be honest, and know that it's okay if you don’t know or understand something. These areas are here to be tested and prompt further learning. Sometimes, it’s difficult to reflect on subtle areas of your own practice, so asking a colleague to observe you is invaluable in these instances. I strongly suggest note taking from the start to build solid foundations for your learning in practice. You may find information that you learn at work comes in handy for a specific exam, as you are often exposed to ethical dilemmas, abnormal ocular conditions, and different forms of legislature.

If obtaining a job whilst you are at university is too difficult for you to manage, gaining work experience in an optical practice will still benefit you immensely. Endeavour to find opportunities in different optical settings from multiples, independents, or hospital settings. This will expose you to niche skills, equipment, and services that may not be mainstream or taught in a classroom, benefitting your career. It also forces you to learn essential employment policy and governing body guidance to ensure safety at work for both you and the patients you interact with.

Balancing work and studying is an arduous yet possible task. Using a calendar to plan study-time, work, and social events ensures you stay productive and efficient with your time. When studying, remove all distractions from your workspace and incorporate learning methods that work for you. I find the blurting method, spaced repetition, and the pomodoro technique particularly useful for exam preparation. Last but certainly not least make sure you prioritise rest and relaxation. An overwhelmed or over worked mind is also an inefficient one. So, ensure you keep on top of your mental and physical wellbeing. Keep working hard, enjoy the process, and look forward to where these steps will take you.