Will be moving 3 days before classes begin to a unfurnished studio on campus. Not sure if I go to IKEA or some local stores - will there be enough time for delivery? Most importantly what to buy, a desk and a good orthopedic chair? A recliner? A bed-sofa to study and sleep or else? How do you guys study best, meaning what furniture is best suited for long hours of study? Any tips? Thank you and apologies if this has been asked before
Furniture for MS1, what to buy for effective studying?
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You need a desk with a comfortable chair.
Don't attempt to study slouched in a recliner/futon/whatever.
Don't attempt to study slouched in a recliner/futon/whatever.
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Big comfy rolly desk chair with arm rests, big table to spread everything out on and a desk lamp
Thanks everyone! So a big nice desk and a descent chair it is. What about recliner - bad idea? Probably will make me sleepy and be counterproductive? Anyone has a tv on a background playing? Do I need a printer?
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Printer might be nice. We don't have a tv, I know my bad habits and i won't do squat with a tv around. Recliner may hurt your back. I try and get a decent roll chair that has a nicely shaped back so you don't hurt yourself.
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If you have the money for it, sitting in this chair feels like sitting on nothing almost.
Amazon product ASIN B002IX5YHQ
I wish I could get it since I'll probably be sitting for 10+ hours a day 🙁
Amazon product ASIN B002IX5YHQ
I wish I could get it since I'll probably be sitting for 10+ hours a day 🙁
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OMG that is outrageously expensive. I pay for my, well everything so I just use my dining room table with a normal chair and works perfectly fine for me. IMO you shouldn't be sitting for >5 hours at a time anyways. I always break up my studying times into short 2 hour increments, they vary depending on the lecture-load but 10 hours straight? nah man not in MS1
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I'd say at a minimum get this chair. It's what I'll be getting since I can't afford the super nice one 🙁
http://www.staples.com/Staples-Hyken-Technical-Mesh-Task-Chair-Black/product_990119
Your back will thank you for it.
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That's much more reasonable lol. And a headrest?!
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The headrest may be removable. Not sure.
It's pretty good for the price. It's the only chair in this price range with lumbar support, adjustable armrests, adjustable tilt and height and it also has a 7 year warranty.
The adjustable armrests are actually really important because an armrest that is too high can cause shoulder problems! Also you're going to want a mesh chair so you don't sweat when you're studying during the summer.
I did too much research on this...
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If you are going to buy a printer, buy a multipurpose one (copy, scan, fax, etc.). You can definitely find one not much more expensive than a regular printer. If you want to have a hard copy of someones notes or scan a copy to your computer, this thing is a god send.
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You guys rock! Thank you for your answers and great ideas! If you don't mind I'll ask a couple of more silly questions: do I need to buy a tablet (was thinking something like Microsoft Surface 3 or 4 or maybe even some cheaper brand alternatives)? I only have an old laptop that still works very well, but it's on the heavy side and battery life sucks I can get only 30min on batteries LOL. I mean do you guys really use tablets/laptops for making notes on ppt slides or during lectures or it's all just gimmicks? Thank you
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Sarcastic version -- I always liked suspension straps so I could spread eagle over the work -- induced a sense of falling, which kicked in the fight or flight response in me causing me to focus like a mofo and retain the info -- administration didn't go for it when I wanted to install one to take my tests in, but hey, I tried ---
Serious version --- I'd probably try to simulate testing conditions so I'd get a decent chair with a firm back to avoid back issues later on, a good desk with a lamp. I used to be a "kick up the jams" kind of studier (Van Halen was one of my favorites) but when I got to med school, I took umbrage at a fly farting anywhere in the room, so I bought the earmuffs that they use for ear protection when sport shooting -- my school was cool with me bringing them in but they had to search through them each time to make sure no crib notes were in them. COMLEX testing centers will issue you earmuffs so it's not like you won't have them on gameday.
Printer wise -- yeah, I'd get one but recognize you're going to be going through a lot of printed material and ink replacement may make it more cost efficient to use the schools printers in the library and just keep reloading your "printer" card. We used to print powerpoints 6 - 12 to a page, double sided and just carry those everywhere going over the material over and over again.
I agree with breaking up the study time -- right now, I think I'd be figuring out when I studied best (AM/PM/evening) and then break up my run errands/workout/sleep time around that -- Going to class -- see if you get any benefit from it and if not, don't hesitate to bag it.
I used to study sprawled out on the bed with a big pillow under my sternum -- it was comfortable as heck, I never fell asleep and once I got in the zone, I was good -- one word of advice --- make SURE you're doing practice questions of some sort while studying, even in MS1 -- UWorld/Comquest come to mind -- they'll royally suck at first and you'll feel like a (as Bugs Bunny says) maroon, but it'll get better and you'll spank the exams soon enough, to say nothing of Step1/Level1
A little off topic -- but remember, it's about training your mind/body in a familiar environment similar to test day to recall the information and apply it correctly --- take it from that perspective and you should be good.
hope it helps.
Serious version --- I'd probably try to simulate testing conditions so I'd get a decent chair with a firm back to avoid back issues later on, a good desk with a lamp. I used to be a "kick up the jams" kind of studier (Van Halen was one of my favorites) but when I got to med school, I took umbrage at a fly farting anywhere in the room, so I bought the earmuffs that they use for ear protection when sport shooting -- my school was cool with me bringing them in but they had to search through them each time to make sure no crib notes were in them. COMLEX testing centers will issue you earmuffs so it's not like you won't have them on gameday.
Printer wise -- yeah, I'd get one but recognize you're going to be going through a lot of printed material and ink replacement may make it more cost efficient to use the schools printers in the library and just keep reloading your "printer" card. We used to print powerpoints 6 - 12 to a page, double sided and just carry those everywhere going over the material over and over again.
I agree with breaking up the study time -- right now, I think I'd be figuring out when I studied best (AM/PM/evening) and then break up my run errands/workout/sleep time around that -- Going to class -- see if you get any benefit from it and if not, don't hesitate to bag it.
I used to study sprawled out on the bed with a big pillow under my sternum -- it was comfortable as heck, I never fell asleep and once I got in the zone, I was good -- one word of advice --- make SURE you're doing practice questions of some sort while studying, even in MS1 -- UWorld/Comquest come to mind -- they'll royally suck at first and you'll feel like a (as Bugs Bunny says) maroon, but it'll get better and you'll spank the exams soon enough, to say nothing of Step1/Level1
A little off topic -- but remember, it's about training your mind/body in a familiar environment similar to test day to recall the information and apply it correctly --- take it from that perspective and you should be good.
hope it helps.
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I bought a tablet and never really figured out how to incorporate into my routine. Don't buy one unless you have a good idea of how it will help you. A good reliable laptop with a long battery life is really helpful. Constantly looking for a place to plug in is a huge pain. We took all of our exams on our laptops and pretty much everyone took notes on their laptop during class.
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I agree that unless you have a lot of experience with tablet usage in extensive science classes I would vote computer. Any drawing to facilitate learning can be done via white board or a notebook. Otherwise, I don't see a valuable role for tablets? I never really understood the attraction of tablets in pre-clinical years. In order to keep pace comfortably (relatively) typing is kind of a necessity.
Just for another users point of view - I brought my printer along with me and never touched it. It's worth echoing that the cost for ink cartridges archaize personal printers
Just for another users point of view - I brought my printer along with me and never touched it. It's worth echoing that the cost for ink cartridges archaize personal printers
Can you please elaborate how often do you use recliner for study, aren't you getting sleepy in it?
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I use it fairly often when im just reading notes or a section of the textbook. Personally, it doesn't make me sleepy and it is nice to take a break from the desk and chair from time to time
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I picked up this chair at Costco for about ~$140 and I absolutely love it. It is super comfortable sitting in it for a long time. Amazon product ASIN B017DJINJ0
I also bought the surface pro 4 and I love it!
Just my 2¢
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I also bought the surface pro 4 and I love it!
Just my 2¢
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Buy whatever you've been using to study all these years. Myself, I CANNOT study at a desk, no matter how comfy the chair is. I get headaches from bending over and looking down. I study, 100% of the time in a recliner, feet up, pillow under computer and both arms so computer is propped up straight ahead of me, with a light and small table on the side of me. Do I get sleepy? Sometimes, but I would also get sleepy at a desk. Whatever has been working for YOU.
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