Things that will make you stand out as a rotating MS:
1. Knowing what case is scheduled, the basic anesthetic plan for said case, and a little PMH about the patient (yes, there are students who will show up in the room at 7am and be like 'hey dude, what's going on in here, can I put the tube in?'. These students don't fare well.
2. Familiarizing yourself with where basic equipment is in the room. It only takes a few minutes of your time to go through the cart, anesthesia machine, and the pyxis and learn where basic **** is. Once you have this down, try to help when turning over or setting up a room (MS-MAIDS- machine, suction, monitors, airway, IV, drugs, stuff etc). Basic things which residents will value because they are time saving include knowing how to do a machine check, making syringes and pulling up meds, making a hot line, making an IV start kit, knowing what I mean when I say flip off the vent and open the pop-off etc.
3. Knowing when to talk/ask questions and knowing when to shut up. It's obvious to staff and residents when a student has a bunch of prepared questions from anesthesia secrets to which they already know the answers, and when they have a legitimate question. Spend some time looking at stoelting, jaffe, baby miller, anesthesia secrets to answer the easy stuff you're wondering and put some thought into asking actually thought-provoking questions which can't easily be looked up in two seconds. That's not to say you should be looking for stumpers just for the hell of it, but every now and then it's refreshing to get an insightful 'the answer should be so simple I can't believe I haven't asked that myself-type" question from a student. With that in mind, all questions about the 'art' of anesthesia (minute to minute titration of anesthetics/vapor, wakeups, intubation technique, line placement) are welcome if asked during appropriate times. As far as shutting up, do not talk when the surgeon or attending anesthesiologist is talking or giving instructions to staff in the room. Do not talk if your resident has his brow furrowed and is intensely watching the monitor/patient because something looks fishy. Do not talk during induction and extubation if a staff is helping a junior resident perform these and you're just watching. And if you're in a cardiac room and are observing, for god sakes, move out of the way and stand in a corner during placement of lines, going on pump, and coming off pump.
4. Volunteer for procedures. Especially with more junior residents who may or may not have their numbers yet, you may not get to do them, but you might not be offered the opportunity unless you ask. You will likely get many opportunities to intubate, but don't pout if the resident steals the IV, a-line, central line, epidural etc.
5. If you are required to present a keyword or other presentation, don't half-ass it. We see so many of these that it's obvious when someone has half-assed it. Try and do an outstanding job- it will be noticed by the med student director and the PD will hear about it if they're not in attendance.
6. If the resident says take a break or get out of here for the day, IT IS NOT A TEST. It is because A. I would prefer to be alone so I can conduct my anesthetic in peace, or B. I'm being nice and you should be prepping for happy hour by now you lucky-ass MS4
7. Bring baked goods to the resident lounge. Yes, if you are as unfortunate as the aforementioned chap above you may be remembered as the guy who cut himself emptying the foley, but at least the people who didn't hear about that mess will also remember you as guy who brought donuts from that one really good bakery downtown.