Tech Stuff for new students

[superbill2]

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I was hoping to get some input from some POD students especially from OCPM but other schools as well. Did you invest in a new laptop, smart phone, Ipad, or Ipod for your first year? What would you recommend and why? Is Mac a safe choice for most schools?

Also because Anatomy is a big chunk of first year would you recommend buying a bone model, or smaller models like: heart, skull, ear.... I know most schools have these for your use but does it help to have your own?

I'm so excited and can't wait to start! Input much appreciated!

 

[dyk343]

I was hoping to get some input from some POD students especially from OCPM but other schools as well. Did you invest in a new laptop, smart phone, Ipad, or Ipod for your first year? What would you recommend and why? Is Mac a safe choice for most schools?

Also because Anatomy is a big chunk of first year would you recommend buying a bone model, or smaller models like: heart, skull, ear.... I know most schools have these for your use but does it help to have your own?

I'm so excited and can't wait to start! Input much appreciated!

If you already have a laptop with microsoft office on it that is all you will need. Some schools make you purchase "their" laptop when you start (ex DMU).

Smart phones are nice for bigger cities because you can pull up bus schedules and use google maps to get around when lost but its not a must.
Ipad? I dont have one and dont need one either. Ipod? If you like to listen to music then sure but not needed.

And yes I recommend a model of an anatomical foot skeleton. If your really feeling like dropping some money you can get the real expensive model with the muslces/nerves that pop on and off but I dont think its needed. Thats what anatomy lab is for.

 

[Creflo]

I bought a macbook the summer before my first year. It has been great. I'd recommend Microsoft office for mac, and an external hard drive for periodic backups. A flash drive on my key ring has been great as well, comes in handy on campus to trade files, etc.

 

[dtrack22]

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[janV88]

I would personally hold off on the smart phone if you aren't already addicted to one. It's really a time waster more than anything.

For Scholl, the first year you are spoon fed the information. Everything from the exams are directly from the notes they give you. No need to write down any of the extra info the professors mention in class. Second year, however, is completely different. From what I have heard, sometimes the notes are 4 slides long...hi my name is, intro, body, the end. So a laptop will certainly help since most people can type faster than they can write. I would personally use what you got for now and then upgrade when you need a faster one/one with better battery. With the way technology is going...waiting 6-12 months can either save you $$$ or allow you to buy a much better model for the same money.

As far as models go, I would NOT buy any for general anatomy. You will not go into enough detail to require one. At Scholl you can go to the library if you really want to look at one, they have a bunch of models from full skeleton models to hearts. For Lower Extremity Anatomy a model is a must. At Scholl you will get your own model up to the pelvis, I don't know about the other schools.

Good luck

 

[dtrack22]

janv is right. You can't buy self control. If you are someone who is easily distracted then stay away from technology, including bringing a laptop to class.

 

[UW66]

I bought an IBM Lenovo X61 (almost 3 years old now) before i went to scholl. The tablet function was a life-saver.

being able to print out all your notes onto Microsoft Onenote. Then draw, scribble, highlight, underline all over your anatomy notes, radiographs etc was god-like.

Many of my friends bought the same model over the course of our 1st year and non of us(that i am aware of) have had any problems with the computer.

If i had to do it all over again id do the exacte same thing

 

[that1guyfromFL]

It really comes down to how much you like paper.

I hate paper more than Charlie Sheen hates trolls, therefore I scan every note packet we receive in order to use it on my iPad.

Being able to carry almost every slide, note and text book for almost every class with you all the time in a 1.3 pound device sure beats having to lug around multiple 3 inch binders stuffed with paper.

Highlighting and taking notes directly into a PDF or PowerPoint is extremely fast and easy using inexpensive apps.

When it comes time to study, having every resource indexed and available for search really comes in handy as well.

Dropbox makes "losing" notes nearly impossible and allows me to access everything I create from my laptop, iPad or phone in a pinch.

Google docs makes collaborative work very easy and accessible on the go.

What you should buy really does depend on how you plan to organize your materials and what will help you be most efficient. It's a personal decision and there really is no right answer.

I've gone 100% digital and I couldn't be happier.

PS Dtrack, only one of us owns 2 laptops. Must be nice.

 

[that1guyfromFL]

stay away from technology, including bringing a laptop to class.

Then.....how in the world will you play Mario/Ken Griffey/Mega Man/Street Fighter II during micro? 😕

 

[347932]

Then.....how in the world will you play Mario/Ken Griffey/Mega Man/Street Fighter II during micro? 😕

I was thinking WoW...

 

[dtrack22]

Then.....how in the world will you play Mario/Ken Griffey/Mega Man/Street Fighter II during micro? 😕

I only play Ken Griffey Jr...but the "no distractions" thing was janv's idea, I was just offering some support 😎

 

[DrGonz]

do you guys have any apps on your mac or ipod/smartphone..(insert newest technology here) that you like for studying anatomy.. like flash cards or anything (netters/grays etc..)?

 

[handoverfist77]

If you are looking specifically at OCPM, you cannot currently speed up any of the recorded online lectures using a mac. Not a deal breaker, b/c you can dual boot or something similar to get around that.

 

[347932]

If you are looking specifically at OCPM, you cannot currently speed up any of the recorded online lectures using a mac. Not a deal breaker, b/c you can dual boot or something similar to get around that.

I use Windows 7 through Bootcamp on my Macbook and it rocks. Runs better than on my native Windows PC.

 

[DancerPod]

do you guys have any apps on your mac or ipod/smartphone..(insert newest technology here) that you like for studying anatomy.. like flash cards or anything (netters/grays etc..)?

There are some out there, but I can't really say they're terribly useful for our level. One of the guys that's in your anatomy course showed me his and I was pretty underwhelmed.
I'd download Epocrates though. It won't help with anatomy, but I would think it will be a big help for Pharm as well as clinic.