[A] Students, what's in your backpack?

[Cyberdyne 101]

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Oh psh, who buys stuff in stores anymore?

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Retractable-Premium-Roller-Point/dp/B001GAOTSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404421598&sr=8-1&keywords=pilot pens g2

It's nice to get out from time to time 😉
Or maybe I'm just old school.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

It's nice to get out from time to time 😉
Or maybe I'm just old school.

Fair enough. I don't think I've ever actually bought a pen or pencil in my life before. There's just a stash of pens/pencils I've had forever in which I lose/find new pens/pencils all the time.

 

[Doctor Dream]

Last year when I took Orgo I and II I kept a molecular model of methane in my backpack all the time. Never know when you might have to R or S designate something

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Last year when I took Orgo I and II I kept a molecular model of methane in my backpack all the time. Never know when you might have to R or S designate something

I would keep a 4 carbon halohydrin.

 

[Doctor Dream]

I would keep a 4 carbon halohydrin.

That would be guaranteed to break in my bag, too big and I don't take good care of my stuff

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

That would be guaranteed to break in my bag, too big and I don't take good care of my stuff

It was kinda big 😛 but I kept it safe.
I used it more for tutoring/review purposes. It's very handy when explaining Fischer projections.

 

[familyaerospace]

RELATED QUESTION: I've been thinking about switching to a messenger bag but I don't know if it'll be better or worse. Thoughts?

I think pros/cons are really dependent on your style and how you use the bag.

I have messenger bags and backpacks. My messenger bag that I currently use is a IDF paratrooper bag. My backpack is a Jansport in a style they don't make anymore.

I use both in my normal life when I run around depending on what I am running around to do and how much I am hauling. Both of mine are messy and I think the messenger bag gets worse faster. Also the messenger bag I use really cannot hold my books or anything. I do take it to meetings though. I use it as a man purse or laptop bag.

I'm a really small human being so the bag looks better on me rather than the backpack but the backpack is more efficient.

 

[Wasted Energy]

Also the messenger bag I use really cannot hold my books or anything. I do take it to meetings though. I use it as a man purse or laptop bag.

 

[The Buff OP]

I carry a notebook, pens (black and red), snacks, water bottles, mints, and a textbook.

Or one of these

But this one wouldn't fit me because of my lats.

 

[Ace-Co-A]

One notebook with all notes/papers. Avoid carrying laptop/anything expensive in case I get mugged (this depends largely on where you go to school, clearly!)

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

I carry a notebook, pens (black and red), snacks, water bottles, mints, and a textbook.

Or one of these

But this one wouldn't fit me because of my lats.

I'm assuming the Nike bag has at least 2 kettlebells inside.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

The recipe to acing every test you will ever take. It's the secret that all the big pharmaceutical teacher companies are trying to suppress. They sued me multiple times for this knowledge but it'll be yours for 3 easy payments of 4.99.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! It comes with a free pencil holder and paper weight.

 

[The Buff OP]

I'm assuming the Nike bag has at least 2 kettlebells inside.

Kettlebells are for crossfitters. I would carry my pump up weight bands. lol
I have a black Adidas backpack that I have been using for about 3-4 years.

 

[deleted244469]

I've been using Precise V7s since high school and they're the only brand of pen I use!

I haul a TI-89, laptop, couple of notebooks, textbook or two if I'm going to the library to study, V7 pens, one pencil for scantrons, gum, water bottle, chapstick, wallet, keys...

There is NO BETTER store bought pen! It never has dry spells, the ink flows extremely smoothly, and it dries QUICK (I'm a lefty). I have been experimenting with the V5's lately and may like them even more!

 

[allantois]

There is NO BETTER store bought pen! It never has dry spells, the ink flows extremely smoothly, and it dries QUICK (I'm a lefty). I have been experimenting with the V5's lately and may like them even more!

You guys are making me want to try it as every pen I've come across I was not happy about.

 

[deleted244469]

You guys are making me want to try it as every pen I've come across I was not happy about.

Give them a try! I think a two pack of the disposables is $4-5. I use the retractables now bceause you can refill the ink cartridges on them (and the body of the pen is much nicer).

I'm going to Staples tomorrow to grab the Zebra F-701 stainless steel Pen. There has been a lot of murmur over the interwebs that this pen may be better than the Precise V5/V7 ***GASP***

/NerdRant

 

[allantois]

Give them a try! I think a two pack of the disposables is $4-5. I use the retractables now bceause you can refill the ink cartridges on them (and the body of the pen is much nicer).

I'm going to Staples tomorrow to grab the Zebra F-701 stainless steel Pen. There has been a lot of murmur over the interwebs that this pen may be better than the Precise V5/V7 ***GASP***

/NerdRant

Oh wow I never thought of pens in terms of disposable or retractable. I just ordered a pack of 3 retractable Precise V7 for $6 and one Zebra for $5. Gotta take advantage of Amazon's student prime membership.. I am writing very extensive lab reports this semester and my pens really didn't serve me well thus far.

 

[deleted244469]

Oh wow I never thought of pens in terms of disposable or retractable. I just ordered a pack of 3 retractable Precise V7 for $6 and one Zebra for $5. Gotta take advantage of Amazon's student prime membership.. I am writing very extensive lab reports this semester and my pens really didn't serve me well thus far.

Wow. Thats a great deal Allenlchs! Yes, the retractable ones are refillable, so save them! Since you have the casings, you can just buy the ink in bulk and keep using the casings until they wear out!

Also, I don't know how thin you like your lines, but the V7 and V5 are different thicknesses. The V7 is advertised as a "fine" line, and the V5 is advertised as a "Very Fine" line FWIW. I like both, but I don't know how you like your pens. The V5 feels a little more "scratchy" when you write (more precise lines though), while the V7 is a lot smoother, but is not as refined.

 

[deuist]

Oh another good point, some med students seem to switch to very fancy leather bags once in med school.
Something like this:

Will get one of those when my status allows it.

I don't remember a single classmate carrying around one of those 1950's bags.

 

[deuist]

For UG: lands end kids backpack (fun colors for <$50!), notebooks/lit novels for the day's classes, laptop, graphing calculator, lab goggles, a sweater for my ice box lecture hall, small umbrella for the daily rain, nalgene water bottle, an apple, half a dozen partially used chapsticks, and a boatload of pens and mechanical pencils that I always lost and then found during my end-of-the-semester cleaning. I didn't go back to my apartment until classes were over, so I always lugged around a full bag. So fun.

Will probably use the same for med school this year, though hopefully with fewer notebooks.

You certainly won't need a graphing calculator, and the lab goggles can be done away with as soon as you finish anatomy.

 

[siffster]

a laptop and a recorder. the recorder is very handy for morning lectures when I feel the need to take a nap instead.

 

[allantois]

@kovalchuk71 , 0.7 looks good to me as I don't like the feeling of scratching paper with 0.5. Thanks for posting!

I don't remember a single classmate carrying around one of those 1950's bags.

Yeah that was not exactly the picture I was going for although I did see ONE medical student with one of those 1950's bags. I though it was odd as it left me wondering whether he is from a long line of physicians...

 

[deleted244469]

@kovalchuk71 , 0.7 looks good to me as I don't like the feeling of scratching paper with 0.5. Thanks for posting!

Neither do I. Went back to the 0.7 as soon as I posted that picture. Its sooooo smooth.

 

[familyaerospace]

Also, I don't know how thin you like your lines, but the V7 and V5 are different thicknesses. The V7 is advertised as a "fine" line, and the V5 is advertised as a "Very Fine" line FWIW. I like both, but I don't know how you like your pens. The V5 feels a little more "scratchy" when you write (more precise lines though), while the V7 is a lot smoother, but is not as refined.

Your handwriting is too good for medicine.

I am also starting to think I am the only freak who likes uniball pens.

 

[capnncrunch]

I tend to overload my backpack. I'll probably rue the day when my back starts hurting.

Anyways:

notebook + folder / class, novel, 19" notebook (ripped a hole in my backpack), headphones, deodorant(can never be too careful), laptop + phone chargers, occasional required textbook, pencils, pens, toothbrush + toothpaste, change of clothes

I pretty much live out of my backpack because I'm hardly ever actually in my dorm room and I never know what plans I'm going to have for the day besides class.

I feel like my backpack is

 

[moisne]

10 pencils or pens - I lose at least 1-2 writing utensils weekly. 5-6 notebooks - depending on how many classes I had that day. Phone, wallet, keys, gum, food, candy, drinks, and possibly color pencils for doodling when I get tired in class. Somedays I had my tablet (school provided) but that brick is like 10 pounds (it's really a laptop)

 

[starkidbee]

You certainly won't need a graphing calculator, and the lab goggles can be done away with as soon as you finish anatomy.

Is any type of calculator needed (like for biostats)? My graphing calc is the only one I own so I'm used to bringing it everywhere. And that is awesome to hear about the lab goggles 🙂 I hate those things...

 

[cbarne01]

My favourite way to take notes to class is the Five Star Flex® 1" Hybrid NoteBinder® (http://www.mead.com/meadstore/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=29104) and I've got super triangular shaped 0.7 mechanical pencils from Dollerama that I LOVE.

 

[Lambda Phage]

a laptop and a recorder. the recorder is very handy for morning lectures when I feel the need to take a nap instead.

Indeed. I always bust out "Hot Cross Buns" to liven myself up.

 

[Time Table]

I got a laptop in my back pocket. Some pens, pencils, orgo notebook, clicker, and water bottle