À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ

By Jade Lankowski

Ariana Mitchell, third-year optometry student and current president of the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Optometry Student Society (UWOSS), is preparing to enter her fourth year, which consists of three four-month clinical placements across North America (mostly Canada) over 12 consecutive months. She will first work at Dr. Alexis Keeling Optometry in Dieppe, New Brunswick. In the fall, she will work at Valley Family Optometry in Kingston, Nova Scotia. Finally, she will work at the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Eye Institute. She reflects on leadership, building community and opportunities that have shaped her growth.

Balancing leadership with academics wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how to manage my time intentionally. I focus on key concepts rather than getting caught up in minor details. This shift helped me succeed academically while staying committed to my role in UWOSS. Throughout my term, time management has become second nature.

Being involved in UWOSS also helped me see that optometry school is about more than just academics. It’s about building a sense of community, forming relationships and engaging with the profession outside the classroom. UWOSS gave me the chance to be involved in the larger student experience, and I’m so grateful for that.

Clinical Techniques (OPTOM 262) was a key course that helped prepare me for patient care. It was the first time we focused on working with patients and adapting to their individual needs. We also learned how to communicate effectively during examinations—something that is essential in practice.

The Case Analysis and Therapy courses (OPTOM 342A/B) were also incredibly valuable. These courses emphasized team-based learning and encouraged us to think critically through complex cases. They helped me apply theoretical knowledge to clinical settings and gave me a solid foundation heading into my placements.

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Optometry has always had a tight-knit community and UWOSS plays a central role in maintaining that. The society acts as a bridge between students, faculty and staff, while also supporting student life through social and networking events. I’ve been proud to see that continue during my time with UWOSS.

There’s a strong culture of connection here. Even alumni I’ve spoken with—some of whom graduated decades ago—say they’re still close with their classmates. I hope to maintain the tradition of connection here as an alum and to continue building on that legacy.

Dr. Stan Woo has also played a significant role in fostering this sense of community. He is incredibly invested in student life. His presence at events and approachability has helped build strong relationships between students and faculty.

Leadership has taught me how to communicate with a variety of people in different roles—from students and faculty to staff and industry professionals. Those communication skills will be incredibly useful when working with both patients and colleagues while working in clinic.

I’ve also developed better conflict resolution skills. Being in a leadership position means things don’t always go as planned, and I had to learn how to handle difficult conversations. I think this experience will make me more comfortable navigating challenging situations during my placements.

I’m excited to increase my efficiency and see a higher volume of patients. At the School, we typically see up to four patients a day, but in private practice, I might see 10-12 patients per day. I’m looking forward to learning to provide high-quality care efficiently. I’m also eager to work with a more diverse patient population. During placements, I’ll have the opportunity to see patients of all ages and backgrounds.

In addition to clinical skills, I'm also interested in learning more about practice management. In my first placement, I will be working closely with Dr. Alexis Keeling, who previously served as the president of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists. I am looking forward to learning from her experience especially as I consider staying involved in the profession, whether through the association or the college of the province that I end up working in. 

I’ve always enjoyed working with children, so I’m particularly interested in pediatrics. With this in mind, I’m hoping to gain more experience in myopia control and specialty contact lenses. My first placement is at a pediatric-focused clinic, and I’m working under Dr. Alexis Keeling, who was previously a teacher. I’m incredibly grateful to work with something with a strong background in pediatric eye care and education.

While academics are important, ensure that you are taking care of your mental and physical health. Additionally, I advise students to get involved because these years go by fast. Whether it’s with the UWOVS community, a club or an event, I encourage students to meet people and take part in events. Those experiences have made my time here so much more meaningful. You'll learn a lot in class, but the friendships and connections you make beyond it are just as valuable. One of the most impactful experiences for me was traveling to Senegal to provide eye care to underserved areas. That trip reminded me how far-reaching and meaningful our profession can be—and it all started by getting involved.