You might have had a tough time going through studies before entering medical school, but all those challenges will be multiplied many times over when you enter. Medical school is more challenging than anything you’ve experienced, as your work will entail studying various specific concepts that are more complex than you expect. The practical lab work you’ll complete will also be challenging to handle. The stresses of handling all your studies can also be daunting. Surviving medical school can be one of the most challenging experiences of your life
But medical school doesn’t have to be a problem when you have the suitable materials to make it work. Here are ten useful items you can use while in medical school to help you succeed and do more with your studies. These materials range from practical items to use to things for your convenience.
1. Laptop Computer
To start, you’ll require a laptop computer to help you keep notes, prepare projects, and communicate with others. A laptop will help you arrange all the data you collect while letting you take notes more efficiently during class.
Laptop computers are helpful for word processing, creating presentations, and scheduling voice chats with other people. A laptop’s processing and display power will also be stronger than what you’d get from a tablet, plus the laptop can handle more extensive programs. While tablets might be convenient, you won’t get the same technical support and capability from a tablet as you’d get from a laptop.
2. Stethoscope
The idea of bringing a stethoscope with you to medical school sounds plain, but you’ll still encounter many patients during your studies. You’ll have to understand how to interview patients and conduct physical exams.
Many medical schools have standardized patients. These patients are teaching aides or actors who participate in medical school programs to help students understand how to review a real-life patient. You’ll need to know how to use a stethoscope the right way when reviewing a standardized patient. Make sure you have a stethoscope ready with you when you enter medical school.
3. Diagnostic Tool Set
In addition to a stethoscope, you’ll also require a diagnostic tool set to help you when testing how to review patients. A diagnostic kit will feature an otoscope, laryngoscope, ophthalmoscope, and ear cannulas. These items will help you review deep into a patient’s opening, helping you see if everything looks normal or if there is something unusual.
Being able to diagnose a patient and review initial problems is critical for any med student to learn. Be sure you buy a good diagnostic toolset to help you keep track of a patient’s health.
4. Scrubs
You’ll require comfortable scrubs for lab projects, so make sure you have comfortable ones that won’t bother you while still fitting well. You don’t have to spend too much on your scrubs, as they will likely stay in your locker when you’re not using them. A nicer pair of scrubs will be better when you’re in more intensive situations, but med school students don’t have to splurge on anything too fancy.
5. Coffee Machine
Many med school students are on a budget, and it’s often hard for them to buy coffee each day. Considering how much you’d spend on a cup of coffee at some café, you don’t want to overdo the spending here. Instead, buying a coffee machine will be a more worthwhile investment. Purchasing ground coffee or single-serve coffee pods and using your coffee machine will be a better move, as the average cost for a cup of coffee will be less than what you’d get at the café.
You can adjust your coffee in any way you desire, giving you more freedom than you’d get at the coffee shop. The fact that you won’t have to wait in line for something when you use your coffee machine is also a plus.
6. Study Desk
Your dorm or other living space should include a study desk where you can place your laptop or any other computer you’ll use. The desk should have enough compartments for whatever items you’ll use when taking notes or reviewing your work.
Be sure your place your desk somewhere where you won’t experience distractions. It’s easier to study when you have a desk with everything you need while also being in a spot where you can focus.
7. Colored Highlighters or Pens
One idea for taking notes in med school involves using colored writing utensils to help you keep tabs on some of the more specific things you’re trying to write. Colored highlighters or pens are useful for how they can help you distinguish between different subjects.
You can use one color when writing about one subject and a second color for a different topic. You can use as many colors as you wish, but make sure you have a system for recalling these colors that you can remember.
8. Portable Charger
Everyone has phones, tablets, and other tech things they’ll bring wherever they go while in med school. But you will only have so much battery power to work with each day, and there’s no guarantee you’ll find a charging station in some places. A portable charger will help you keep the batteries on your devices running.
You can power your portable charger by plugging it into a USB outlet. After it gets enough energy, you can move that charger into your mobile device and start charging its battery. Some portable charging units feature interfaces that charge your devices fast, which is a plus when you’re going somewhere where you can’t wait for a full charge. But whatever happens, make sure the charger you use has a port that supports whatever devices you have.
9. Personal Protective Equipment
You’ve likely heard people often talk about personal protective equipment or PPE in the last few years. In order to survive medical school, it is essential to have personal protective equipment (PPE) to stay safe in various medical environments. While some schools will provide PPE to students, there’s no guarantee it will be available to you. You’ll require disposable PPE materials that are safe to use while also being easy to wear.
Be sure any PPE you bring is comfortable and meets critical safety standards. A face mash should have comfortable ear loops, a nose bridge to fit over your face well, and enough filtration to protect your airways. Protective goggles will also be necessary, especially in situations where you might encounter fluids.
10. Something For Breaks
The last thing you’ll need to survive medical school entails something you can enjoy during a break. Whether it involves going to a gym or enjoying television, you’ll need something to enjoy during breaks.
Taking breaks is critical to your success, as you can stress yourself out if you spend too much time studying or working. Something you can enjoy during a break will help, as whatever you enjoy will help you feel better.
Do you know any other items you should bring to survive medical school? Leave us a comment if you have any other essentials you feel people should bring.
