Things to get before medschool (and when)?

[sciencewonk]

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Hey Guys,

I was wondering if some of ya'll could shed some light on what are some of the things that incoming med students might need to get before school starts (text books, microscopes, steth, etc)? Is there a good time where people will sell their used books and supplies? I'm not looking to use them right now, but hoping to save a few bucks by buying stuff in advance. Thanks.

 

[MarzMD]

Im sure the upperclassmen at your school will abuse the listserve sending out plenty of emails trying to sell the first years some stuff. I wouldnt worry about it right now.

 

[45408]

buy one of those stereoscopic microscopes that go to the 10,000x power, with the movable trays and an attached video camera.


So everybody can laugh at you.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Things to get before med school:

1). Really drunk
2). Non-medical friends
3). Extended vacations to exotic locales
4). Attention from the opposite sex (or the same, whatever floats your boat)

Yep, that about covers it.

 

[Touchdown]

Things to get before Med School:
-Sleep
-A Vacation (seriously take a trip)

 

[Trail Boss]

good'n drunk.

 

[scpichu888]

Things to get before med school:

1). Really drunk
2). Non-medical friends
3). Extended vacations to exotic locales
4). Attention from the opposite sex (or the same, whatever floats your boat)

Yep, that about covers it.

haha, totally agree with this.
but yes, a stethoscope helps.

 

[Keg]

haha, totally agree with this.
but yes, a stethoscope helps.

Don't buy it. Some schools give you one, and some schools require that you have a specific model. Wait and see, or at least contact the school's administration before you go out and buy anything that you may regret having two of.

 

[Dookter]

If you do buy a stethoscope beforehand, please do not tell anyone about it. And PLEASE do not bring it to school the first day...ha ha

Before med school:

RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And MAYBE read some good books if you're into that since medical school sort of sucks the life out of reading.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

I signed up for a Barnes & Noble membership and got free shipping and 15% off my first order, saved me about $100. Wait until closer to matriculation before you buy a bunch of stuff, though. You'll hear through the grapevine what is worth owning and what you can do without or thumb through in the library as needed. Doubt you'll need a microscope or a diagnostic set, but you would do well to ask your folks for that expensive Littmann for Christmas.

 

[alwaysaangel]

So no one thinks there's anything worth buying ahead of time? With Christmas coming up I don't really need anything at the moment, so all I can think of is med school stuff.

What about certain clothes? Do most medical school require professional dress (like suit professional) for rotations your 3rd and 4th year? Would getting a few new suits be worthwhile?

 

[MarzMD]

Depending on your school you may have a lot of clinical things to do even first year. So yes, you will need lots of dress up clothes.

edit: ha, I just realized you may be going to UK. In that case, you def will need dress up clothes first year. I dont know about full suits though. I think dress pants and shirt and tie is what they will expect you to wear.

edit again: o ok, you are a girl. I guess I do see girls wearing suit thingies to some of their clinical activities. But like the poster said below, the jacket wouldnt be necessary.

 

[Mr. Freeze]

So no one thinks there's anything worth buying ahead of time? With Christmas coming up I don't really need anything at the moment, so all I can think of is med school stuff.

What about certain clothes? Do most medical school require professional dress (like suit professional) for rotations your 3rd and 4th year? Would getting a few new suits be worthwhile?

You don't know what to buy. There's stuff worth having, but only once you know what is a waste and what isn't. If it's books, which ones do you need? What the school will tell you and what the people who actually take the classes will tell you are two different things. And you shouldn't be reading them anyway, until you have to. And it would suck to buy a 'scope if Path doesn't use one...

Maybe, MAYBE buy a few outfits of professional attire, but you probably already have what you need. Early on, your contact with patients, and therefore the need to look respectable, will be limited. Moreover, your contact with the SAME patients will be zero; wearing the same shirt and tie every few weeks won't be noticed by anyone but you. Unless you are a girl in which case other girls will keep detailed records of what you wore and there is no possible way to repeat outfits more than 2x every 6 months or so. You won't ever wear a suit jacket. That's what white coats are for.

Take a trip. I wish I had, but I couldn't due to some other stuff...

 

[Dookter]

So no one thinks there's anything worth buying ahead of time? With Christmas coming up I don't really need anything at the moment, so all I can think of is med school stuff.

What about certain clothes? Do most medical school require professional dress (like suit professional) for rotations your 3rd and 4th year? Would getting a few new suits be worthwhile?

Don't buy suits. If you are looking for stuff to get, buy things you know you will need: dress shirts, ties, dress socks, dress shoes, dress pants. But don't go buy full suits since the jacket will never get used.

Also, consider how things have to get washed. I wear Dockers, etc., regular cotton slacks so that I can wash them in the washing machine. I could not handle having a ton of dry-clean only stuff.

 

[alwaysaangel]

🙁 Everyone assumed I was a boy.

Yes, I may go to UK. The other two I am looking at possibly going at right now also have massive clinical stuff the first year (preceptorships - one of them is several hours every week).

That kind of makes me sad that the jacket wouldn't be necessary - I like wearing suits. I guess I'll get one or two in addition to the two I already have.

As far as washing, I buy really cheap suits at the garment district in LA. They look great but don't wrinkle and are machine washable.

I will be taking several trips this summer: one to Singapore and Bali, one camping (hopefull to Yellowstone) and one to kentucky to visit family. So thats taken care of. I guess I could ask for something to use for flying to those trips - btu by the time summer comes I should have enough money for all that myself.

So no other ideas of anything else, frivoulous or practical, that every medical student shoudl have??

 

[MarzMD]

The most comfortable chair you can possibly find. You will be sitting down a lot....studying

 

[45408]

So no one thinks there's anything worth buying ahead of time? With Christmas coming up I don't really need anything at the moment, so all I can think of is med school stuff.

What about certain clothes? Do most medical school require professional dress (like suit professional) for rotations your 3rd and 4th year? Would getting a few new suits be worthwhile?

Make sure you look at the "Will I gain weight?" threads first, as your new threads may not be of much use when you've got biochem butt from excessive use of your posterior while studying.

 

[PZMO]

a couple of cases of red bull. that's what my brother is getting me for christmas in honor of getting accepted.

 

[dynx]

Things to get before med school:

1). Really drunk
2). Non-medical friends
3). Extended vacations to exotic locales
4). Attention from the opposite sex (or the same, whatever floats your boat)

Yep, that about covers it.

This is FANTASTIC advice...tattoo this on your ass right now so you dont forget.
For real though...follow doctor funk. The only text you need is Robbin's path. You'll need a steth 3rd year so look for deals and snap one up if you can save money...else, no worries.
Relax.

 

[Northerner]

Screw you, dynx.

 

[Blade28]

Don't buy anything before med school. No need. You're not going to read those textbooks, nor are you going to use those instruments.

 

[QofQuimica]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if some of ya'll could shed some light on what are some of the things that incoming med students might need to get before school starts (text books, microscopes, steth, etc)? Is there a good time where people will sell their used books and supplies? I'm not looking to use them right now, but hoping to save a few bucks by buying stuff in advance. Thanks.

I would suggest that you contact some current students at your school and ask them what you'll need during your first semester. Don't ask the admissions or student affairs office. ASK THE STUDENTS. For some of my classes, almost everyone uses a different book than what the school officially recommends that we use. The upperclassmen will probably also be happy to sell you some of their old books too.

 

[anon-y-mouse]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if some of ya'll could shed some light on what are some of the things that incoming med students might need to get before school starts (text books, microscopes, steth, etc)? Is there a good time where people will sell their used books and supplies? I'm not looking to use them right now, but hoping to save a few bucks by buying stuff in advance. Thanks.

often your school will have a used book sale of some sort where upperclassmen sell to underclassmen, etc. take advantage of THAT.

if you're looking for any particular titles... get the BRS titles for most subjects... ex: BRS gross anatomy, etc. you'll probably end up buying them later on anyway.

and obviously you need a stethoscope, so keep your eyes peeled, though there are rarely sales on littman stethoscopes. there's some family practitioner on SDN who's super anti-littman though, but many cardiologists like them.

 

[Thanatos]

Stock up on the following:

1. cheap gin
2. advil
3. frozen meals
4. coffee
5. antacids
6. pencils
7. soap

Use (4) in the morning and (3) throughout the day, everyday, all year. (2) will come in handy after the first few days....and (1) will call out your name as you get closer and closer to exams.

(5) will come in handy due to excess (1) and (2), hopefully not used together. (6) only during test week. Use (7) after anatomy unless you want people to avoid you, leaving you lonely and using too much of (1).

 

[Rugby MD]

**cute** comfortable shoes.
danskos rock.
on clinical days and all of third and 4th year you will need em.

 

[Dr. McDreamy]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if some of ya'll could shed some light on what are some of the things that incoming med students might need to get before school starts (text books, microscopes, steth, etc)? Is there a good time where people will sell their used books and supplies? I'm not looking to use them right now, but hoping to save a few bucks by buying stuff in advance. Thanks.

i suggest getting a significant other before medical school. they're great for blowing off steam after (and before) exams. that way you dont have to go to any of those dumb med/law/nursing/blah blah mixers. yeah, i wish i had done that....

 

[dynx]

Screw you, dynx.

Yes, and laid...that was number 4 but I dont swing that way dude. Im flattered though, really.

 

[78222]

Nothing but rest. I bought absolutely nothing before medschool and knew pretty much nothing about our curriculum or even where I was supposed to be. In fact, I was out of the country until the week before school start. Nonetheless, I am doing fine and it hasn't hurt me a bit.

BTW, DON'T BUY TEXTBOOKS UNTIL YOU NEED THEM!!!!!

 

[RaaMD]

laid.

 

[baylormed]

If you do buy a stethoscope beforehand, please do not tell anyone about it. And PLEASE do not bring it to school the first day...ha ha

What are you talking about??

I'm planning on showing up to my first day wearing my white coat and my stethoscope around my neck. In my pockets I will also have a prescription pad with my name printed on it, and my ophtalmoscope and otoscope.

Is that wrong?

 

[Med01]

Buy lots of socks, underwear, jeans and basics so you don't have to do laundry as often. I followed this advice from SDN and at test times, no one has time to do laundry. Also, buy a quick and easy recipe book or learn to cook fast, healthy meals. This is important.

 

[45408]

What are you talking about??

I'm planning on showing up to my first day wearing my white coat and my stethoscope around my neck. In my pockets I will also have a prescription pad with my name printed on it, and my ophtalmoscope and otoscope.

Is that wrong?

If your user text is correct, I'd recommend wearing exactly (but only) what you described. It'll be a hit.

 

[Katya00]

What are you talking about??

I'm planning on showing up to my first day wearing my white coat and my stethoscope around my neck. In my pockets I will also have a prescription pad with my name printed on it, and my ophtalmoscope and otoscope.

Is that wrong?

Don't forget your little black bag, with your initials stitched on it. Oh, and throw a nice "M.D." after it too 😀

I'd get an Ipod (if you don't have one already) if you like to listen to music while studying. And eye surgery, if you wear contacts or glasses. Those two are on my wish list!

 

[baylormed]

Don't forget your little black bag, with your initials stitched on it. Oh, and throw a nice "M.D." after it too 😀

You guys are making sure I get my butt kicked after school.

 

[silas2642]

Getting a good stethoscope right now isn't going to hurt you too much... those things pretty much last you a lifetime, assuming yours isn't lost or stolen.

Don't get any textbooks until you get a chance to talk to some second years at the school you're matriculating at, so you can get a sense of what you're actually going to need.

Do buy a lot of socks and underwear, because doing laundry can sometimes be a pain. And as long as you have clean underwear, life is bearable.

 

[Law2Doc]

Do buy a lot of socks and underwear, because doing laundry can sometimes be a pain. And as long as you have clean underwear, life is bearable.

Just learn to go commando -- it will save you a ton of time. Forget that old adage of what if you get run over and don't have clean underwear on -- the ED folks have seen worse will just cut it off you anyhow.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Buy lots of socks, underwear, jeans and basics so you don't have to do laundry as often. I followed this advice from SDN and at test times, no one has time to do laundry. Also, buy a quick and easy recipe book or learn to cook fast, healthy meals. This is important.

I second this advice. 🙂 I'd also add to ask for a nice backpack, if you need one, and a good thermos that will keep your coffee warm for more than 2 seconds (these things are sort of spendy for med students, so they're always good for gifts).

 

[Dookter]

I'll second the good backpack. Sometimes I look like a hiker with my northface bag loaded down. I have a coke in one mesh thing, a nalgene in the other, my lunch strapped on the back, my laptop inside, and there is always a white coat wadded up in there somewhere. Med school is an expedition, and I come prepared!

 

[MrBrightside]

Don't buy anything before med school. No need. You're not going to read those textbooks, nor are you going to use those instruments.

Agreed. I don't know about the instruments yet but there is no time to read texts. Most people use the note service and review books. The way each school test the material and the source of high yield material is very different. I say, along with everyone else, enjoy the time off. I know you're excited and you have every right to be but just use the time to do other things you are interested in. You do have time to do stuff while in med school, but it is very limited.

 

[Hayden2102]

Sciencewonk you probably are very excited about medschool next year (just like me!) and you want to get involved somehow.

I'm going to ask for a couple of my PRESCRIBED texts for Christmas to help with the burden of cost. And you can always have a peek in them if you are excited or want a head start.

A medical dictionary would be a nice one too.

And given you are excited about it, why not pursue just some medical-related interest books? Like... maybe if it's your cup of tea, a book about the history of medicine? Or the ever-changing role of the doctor in community medicine? Or even some non-fiction too!

Every med student I've talked to says don't get into actual study, so if you are excited about it all, do the fun stuff (rent Gray's Anatomy season 1 or Scrubs or ER!!)

Edit: how about taking a first aid course if you haven't already? Get those clinical skills started 🙂