Holiday Gift Ideas for Soon-to-be Med Students

[TomWestmanRules]

Family members are getting cranky. They want we to start giving them gift idea lists for Christmas. It doesn't take much to make me happy. Since I have one acceptance right now and know I'll be at a medical school next fall, I was thinking I should ask for a few things that might be practical to have next year (and not have to pay for).

Any ideas from anyone, especially current medical students? I'm especially looking at some things I'll need for daily living and gettin' by as a med student, other than a couple gallons of alcohol a week.

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[photo_girl07]

Family members are getting cranky. They want we to start giving them gift idea lists for Christmas. It doesn't take much to make me happy. Since I have one acceptance right now and know I'll be at a medical school next fall, I was thinking I should ask for a few things that might be practical to have next year (and not have to pay for).

Any ideas from anyone, especially current medical students? I'm especially looking at some things I'll need for daily living and gettin' by as a med student, other than a couple gallons of alcohol a week.

my wish list (take it for its worth 🙂 :

A palm pilot
A laptop

Merry X-mas, ho ho!

 

[HumbleMD]

Heh, I'd say money, and food.

On a more serious note, I always like things from www.levenger.com. They have a lot of really nice study materials, nice leather goods, and pens, and everything is very giftable.

 

[szhao]

pay for my applications and interviews is good enough of a present for me

 

[LizzyM]

Amazon.com gift cards (good for things other than books and delivery is often free)

Other gift cards for stores where you shop.

If you don't yet know where you will be next year, it is much easier to carry some gift cards & buy what you need when you get where you are going.

Books are a huge expense in the first two years.

 

[StritchMD2011]

My parents mentioned that they'd be interested in getting me a stethoscope for Christmas. Obviously I won't need it for nearly 7 months, but I think they like the thought of it.

Would it be a bad idea to have them buy one now as opposed to when school starts? I know that some schools have fairs where reps from the various companies come and typically cut students a deal, but are the savings really that great?

 

[freetheyaz]

make sure they get you the littman cardiology III...perfect for listening for those carotid bruits.

 

[szhao]

make sure they get you the littman cardiology III...perfect for listening for those carotid bruits.

LOL MAD FUNNY. my mom would just be like here take this u bum

 

[Depakote]

Cash is always good.😉

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

Family members are getting cranky. They want we to start giving them gift idea lists for Christmas. It doesn't take much to make me happy. Since I have one acceptance right now and know I'll be at a medical school next fall, I was thinking I should ask for a few things that might be practical to have next year (and not have to pay for).

Any ideas from anyone, especially current medical students? I'm especially looking at some things I'll need for daily living and gettin' by as a med student, other than a couple gallons of alcohol a week.

Gift cards to stores.

 

[Funky]

no way. screw stethoscope. get a ps3

 

[szhao]

i know its christmas season, but is it really that big of a deal. i been in this country for 13 years and i never gotten more than a card or something fairly simple. haha, better yet, i consider myself christian too.

 

[LizzyM]

A stethoscope seems like a gift that is heavy with symbolism but that might end up being "not good enough" (future cardiologists end up being really picky about them) or "too good" and it grows legs and disappears and you feel terrible because your parents gave it to you as a gift.

Suggest a neuro hammer. You will use it when you learn physical diagnosis and they are low-tech enough and never wear out so you may have it for your entire career as a nice reminder of the year you got into med school. They are very inexpensive and if your parents want to spend more, well... they'll think of something else... .

 

[mjzoey]

Hey.
I think getting gift certificate for Amazon.com is great. You will need soooo many different books for school. This is only if you are looking for something to use in med school. Palm is nice, but I only needed to use it in 3rd year med school, so wait till you get to the clinical rotation, you know how fast technology changes....

 

[mjzoey]

Hey.
I think getting gift certificate for Amazon.com is great. You will need soooo many different books for school. This is only if you are looking for something to use in med school. Palm is nice, but I only needed to use it in 3rd year med school, so wait till you get to the clinical rotation, you know how fast technology changes....

 

[LifetimeDoc]

 

[etf]

highly appreciated stock - it's a win-win situation!

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Just as a littrle frill gift, my gf wants a doctor "build a bear" when she gets accepted.

 

[Robizzle]

After reading this thread, my personal favs from your suggestions:

1) Palm Pilot (hell yeah).
2) Sthethoscope w/ name engraved or that Neuro Hammer.
3) Gift Card to Amazon.com
4) Money. You can never go wrong with money!

My personal suggestions:

1) Snazzy ties (for clinicals)! I'm not a real dresser upper but i'm getting excited bout finally having opportunities to dress semi nice on a regular basis.

2) Some sorta medical dictionary/encyclopedia (but only one recommended by a doctor or current med student so you can ensure that it's actually useful).

 

[MinnyGophers]

One of those gold coins. Make sure your money never depreciates in value. 😉

 

[tch001]

A stethoscope seems like a gift that is heavy with symbolism but that might end up being "not good enough" (future cardiologists end up being really picky about them) or "too good" and it grows legs and disappears and you feel terrible because your parents gave it to you as a gift.

Suggest a neuro hammer. You will use it when you learn physical diagnosis and they are low-tech enough and never wear out so you may have it for your entire career as a nice reminder of the year you got into med school. They are very inexpensive and if your parents want to spend more, well... they'll think of something else... .

My parents LOVED the idea of a neuro hammer! Thank you for the great suggestion! My mom wants to know if she should get the triangle one or the Queens head? I have no idea what the difference is, help?

 

[baylormed]

I agree with LizzyM, I want giftcards to the following places:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Wal-Mart

Food and books, that's what I'll need to buy and it's something I'll definitely end up using.

Something else that might be nice is maybe money for furniture. I'll be buying furniture for medical school (always lived in furnished apts, so I have nothing but a desk).

 

[Natatiap]

niiiiiice, I wish my family dished out a lot of money...for me:
cash, gift cards, palm pilot and an acoustic guitar for something to do in my spare time

 

[baylormed]

niiiiiice, I wish my family dished out a lot of money...for me:
cash, gift cards, palm pilot and an acoustic guitar for something to do in my spare time

I have a big family. If I can collect $5 from each person maybe I can furnish my apartment!!

I think people don't think of giving money to a med student because they think "Oh, they're in med school, they'll be fine, they don't need money". Unless the person has been through med school themselves they assume we can live off our loans and then just pay them back later.

The truth is we are POOR.

 

[Julius Erving]

well, I enjoy shows like Lost, 24 and Scrubs, but with my hectic schedule this past year can't afford to sit down and watch on a regular basis. And i won't be able to once in med school either. So when i get down time, instead of just watching whatever crap happens to be on TV, I pop in the next episode on DVD and pick up where I left off. It makes me break times more enjoyable and more flexible. If you like shows at all, this is the way to go. While it might not be a present you'll remember and cherish forever, it'll still make med school a bit more enjoyable.

 

[coralfangs]

practical:

these will make ur life more colorful:

 

[deleted77919]

These are fun for semi-nerdy medical types. Or at least those that appreciate nerdy humor.

www.giantmicrobes.com

I gave my girlfriend "syphilis" and "cold virus" last year.