What to Buy for Med School

Firstly, congrats on getting accepted and starting this checkpoint in your career to becoming a physician. You should be so proud of all the hardships and accomplishments that took you here. Here is a list of items I felt really helped me throughout my first year of med school and I wanted to share them with you guys! These products will be linked in my Amazon storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/shanonologyDON’T BUY: 

1. Any study material beforehand, you want to see what resources your school will pay for or if they have an online database where you can access textbooks for free. 
2. Laptop; your school might have a better / discounted tech package. I would email them beforehand! 
3. Clinical supplies such as reflex hammers, tuning forks, blood pressure cuff. I would email your school beforehand! 
4. Stethoscope; my school provided this for us, so check to see if yours does! If not, this is a perfect gift for a medical student so see if your parents or friends can get it for you! 
5. Fancy scrubs for anatomy: you will need an old pair (try thrift stores) that you’re okay with ruining just in case formaldehyde gets on it. You can buy a pair of fancy ones for volunteering but no need to spend lots of money on this!

DO BUY:A. Anything that will help your study ergonomics. You will be studying for long periods and you want to make sure your body is up for it

1. Laptop stand so you’re not hunching; get one that is foldable so you can take it with you to the library and other places! 
2. Monitor so you don’t have to stare at a small screen
3. Wrist rest so you’re not creating friction with the table 
4. Nice, adjustable study chair that has a long back so you can rest your head 
5. Large table you can lay all your notes and study material on 
6. Adjustable standing desk if you like to stand 
7. Nice bright lamp 
8. Padded, comfortable headphones: make sure you get ones that have large oval cups. It needs to completely surround your ear so that it doesn't squish and cause pain. Noise cancelling could come in handy if you prefer to study without music!
9. Blue light glasses: you will be staring at a screen for hours on end! I have this as a precaution because I don't want my eyes to tire!

B. iPad. I would email your school beforehand to see if they give it to you. I know this is a pricey investment but I know a few people that didn’t get one and ended up getting one later anyways. We live in the modern world, make life easier on yourself. You never have to carry around heavy stacks of paper or your stash of highlighters (environmentally friendly). You can command F and find any word in your Powerpoint and/or handwriting. In addition, you can organize all your material in a very efficient manner and use it to read or watch videos. You shouldn’t be hesitant in spending money if it directly helps you save time and study better.C. Hard drive: from all the lecture material, notes, and textbooks, your computer might not have enough storage so you might need to store old content separately from your computer so it doesn’t slow it down. You can also add storage with Google Drive/Dropbox.D. Spotify subscription (student price): countless study playlists at your disposal! I have listened to hundreds of hours by now for studying, driving, and working out.E. White board and expo markers if you like to draw things outF. Business clothes: you have many clinical encounters / physical examination exams where you have to dress up and talk to patients. Buy versatile ones that you can wear for a long time, maybe into your practicing years too!G. Lifestyle: These are every day items that will efficiently save you time, especially since you are super busy!

1. Google mini/home: I use this for the weather, time, to set alarms, play music, turn off my lights, read me the news, search, etc. It can also read me my schedule for that day! I think it's a nice tool that has made my life easier
2. Laundry divider: I have a cart with 3 dividers so I can separate my laundry right after I wear it! Then I can take each separate divider and wash it as 1 load.
3. Vegetable chopper: you can cut your prep time. I use it for juicing, smoothies, and cooking.
4. Fabric de-fuzzer: for jackets, leggings, sweats that have started piling. It'll make your clothes look new again.
5. Reliable coffee machine: or whatever methods you attain your daily caffeine. I make cold brew because it's so easy and efficient! I make a batch that lasts me 2 weeks.

  I hope these tips were helpful! Until next time..Lub dub, Shanon