OptomSoc Update

2024 marked another year of celebration, fulfilment, and inspiration, allowing OptomSoc to deliver numerous wonderful and rewarding memories to students. 

A crucial milestone for each incoming class is the annual Welcome Day in February, where OptomSoc partnered with SOVS to provide first-year students with fun and exciting presentations that provided insight into the expectations of the course, job and research opportunities, and a glimpse of campus life. Tours led by 4th and 5th year Optometry students delivered a one-of-a-kind experience for a taste of university societies and important buildings related to first-year courses. Students enjoyed a well-deserved BBQ feast afterwards to socialise amongst beloved colleagues and connect with SOVS staff and 4th and 5th-year Optometry students.

In addition to Welcome Day, 2024 featured an array of exciting events tailored for Optometry students, continuing the long-standing tradition that has become a staple of the course. Cruise offered a fun night with scenic views that created a perfect setting for students to relax and bond. The lively Pub Crawl followed, bringing students together for an evening of socialising and exploring local venues. The year concluded with the glamorous Eyeball themed around The Great Gatsby, where students dressed in elegant 1920s attire with a night of dining, entertainment and celebration, ending the year on a high note. 

The SOVS Student Wellbeing and Action Group, often abbreviated as S.W.A.G. is a student-led initiative dedicated to enhancing the overall well-being and educational experience of students within SOVS. The annual S.W.A.G picnic, which was held twice this year due to popular demand, gathered students to enjoy good weather and food while participating in relaxing activities including colouring, frisbee, chalk-drawing, and board games. This setting was conducive to inter-cohort peer bonding and offered a much-needed opportunity to decompress in the midst of exam season. 

This year we launched an exciting new initiative with the OptomSoc Newsletter, developed in collaboration with student representatives from all five years. Our goal is to enhance student engagement by providing timely updates on events, important reminders, and key dates throughout the year. As we entered the spring season, OptomSoc designed and delivered the much-anticipated 2024 Merchandise which boasted a unique design on quality hoodies, available in a wide range of colours including, pink, blue, grey, and black. 

We want to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and participation in making this year memorable. It's been a year full of growth, joy, and exciting events that have brought us all closer together.

On behalf of the OptomSoc team, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Here's to another year of success, happiness, and new opportunities in 2025!

Justin McNamara

OptomSoc President