What do I need to buy for first year? Help me make a list!

[UserNameNeeded]

---

Members don't see this ad.

With weeks to go I need to buy everything to live before school starts so that I can focus exclusively on school and nothing else. I already have my apartment and, since this is the first time I'm living alone, I need to buy a ton of stuff.

Here's what I have on my buying list so far...

-Printer (school provides laptop)
-Flashdrive
-Backpack

-Bed (frame + mattress)
-Desk + chair
-Small dining table + chair
-Pots, pans, utensils, bowls, plates and glasses

I know I'm missing a ton of stuff (the only thing I already have are my clothes and the only appliance the apartment comes with is a refrigerator), so any recommendations, reminders and pieces of advice to make my life easier would be so appreciated!

 

[babelfish]

dresser of drawers
bookcase
cleaning supplies
bathroom supplies
vacuum
(guess those 3 depend on how clean you are)
food
water

 

[synapse lapse]

- username

 

[UserNameNeeded]

I've never cleaned before in my life, other than a little vacuuming and dusting, even though I'm very much a neat freak. What cleaning supplies do I need? The apartment is all hardwood and tile flooring.

Is a bookcase essential? I know I'll probably have tons of books and I would prefer to keep everything organized, but at the same time, I want to be economical (plus, my apartment's really small so I need to worry about space).

As for the water part, I'll have whatever's on tap. 😀 Do you think it's good to get one of those purifiers that attach to the faucet?

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[ramstam]

microwave
I use a PUR ultra water filter, makes me feel better.
Bring/buy as little stuff as possible. Make your life simple and clean.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Yes, a microwave! What about a toaster oven? I've never used one before, but I remember someone raving about it on here once.

Definitely agree on the simple and clean.

 

[2Sexy4MedSchool]

Couch or Futon (for socializing/relaxing/houseguests)
Lamp(s)
Porn
Television

Music: iPod/CD Player, speakers
Throw Rugs/Floor Covering
Posters/Photos/Wall Art
Bed Linens
Big Fluffy Pillows (for couch/floor)
Candle(s)
Wine/Booze/Mixers

I'm assuming you will have at least one date during med school; if not you can skip the last 7 items.

 

[ramstam]

Yes, a microwave! What about a toaster oven? I've never used one before, but I remember someone raving about it on here once.

Definitely agree on the simple and clean.

Toaster ovens are a fire hazard, really. I almost burned my house down and I'm a firefighter(thank God for baking soda). My wife thought it was funny!

 

[bubbleyum]

I've never cleaned before in my life, other than a little vacuuming and dusting, even though I'm very much a neat freak. What cleaning supplies do I need? The apartment is all hardwood and tile flooring.

Is a bookcase essential? I know I'll probably have tons of books and I would prefer to keep everything organized, but at the same time, I want to be economical (plus, my apartment's really small so I need to worry about space).

As for the water part, I'll have whatever's on tap. 😀 Do you think it's good to get one of those purifiers that attach to the faucet?

Thanks for the ideas!

did u live at home during undergrad?
i think you should buy as little as possible in advance, just the essentials, then get stuff as you need them.

in terms of cleaning hardwood floors, i have to say those swiffer floor sweepers/swivel mops are the best thing ever! and of course you will need a spray bottle of chlorox bleach and maybe a non-toxic spray cleaner as well.

 

[akpete]

I've never cleaned before in my life, other than a little vacuuming and dusting, even though I'm very much a neat freak. What cleaning supplies do I need?

Honestly, this blows my mind. Actually this whole thread does. On this list so far is pretty much everything anyone living outside of their parent's house would need. Relax!!! At this rate you'll have to rent a Uhaul to bring this all home from the store. Just get the essentials, and wait on big stuff til you move. And wait on everything school related until you actually start. Except for pens. Buy lots of pens.

 

[MossPoh]

Honestly, this blows my mind. Actually this whole thread does. On this list so far is pretty much everything anyone living outside of their parent's house would need. Relax!!! At this rate you'll have to rent a Uhaul to bring this all home from the store. Just get the essentials, and wait on big stuff til you move. And wait on everything school related until you actually start. Except for pens. Buy lots of pens.

Agreed...Moving into 3 different apartments for undergrad so far...and this is in the same town by the way. Just take the basic crap. No matter what you do you'll have at least a hundred "oh ****" moments where it dawns on you that you need something else...3 seconds after returning from Walmart, Target or wherever. The little crap can be listed forever. Heck I got so tired of spending money on stuff I made my own desk..true college style baby. A huge piece of particle board that I covered with like contact paper so I don't get splinters and then a bunch of cinderblocks..I have to say I like it better than any real desk I bought. very customizeable with the cinderblocks..I have book shelves, and integrated little plastic bins as drawers...quite fancy. 🙂

 

[LO281OK]

- username

👍

 

[tiger_lily]

Beware of swiffers if your floors are laminate, they can leave a film. You will need a broom cuz hardwood floors get dusty but hold off on the $20 fancy shmancy mopping supplies - a rag works just as well. I agree, keep it simple - After 6 years of living on my own, I'm doing a massive DOWNsizing this summer before moving to start med. You can get a couple of place settings at any good dollar store, and then you're not lugging around an entire 8-person dining room set.
Think about your daily routine. I usually have tea in the mornings, so my kettle would be high on the list. Believe it or not, I never use my microwave, so it would be low. Just think about things you use at home right now - if you use it often and it can't be duplicated easily (ie, microwave), bring/buy it. But even clothes etc... Less is more! (In your apartment, that is, not errr... in class!). Remember - the less crap you have to clutter the place up, the less cleaning there is to do! LOL!
Basic cleaning supplies: Mr. Clean all-surface spray (for windows, bathrooms, throw some in a bucket for mopping, etc.), dishsoap, laundry soap. TA-DA! For laminate floors, some water and vinegar is all you need.
When it comes to kitchen/living room supplies, check your campus for notices posted on bulletin boards. This time of year you can get GREAT deals on all kinds of furniture from students who are moving back home, travelling etc. I got a massive Sony Trinitron TV for $60 from some guy that was moving back to Korea! 😀 Often there are things like futons or couches and kitchen tables for really cheap, at least at my uni.
Good luck!

 

[LO281OK]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=251056

This was hashed out earlier this year... Might lend some insight into wishlists... 👍

 

[8744]

Hello,

First you need to get a copy of your school's required reading list for first and second year and start buying all of the textbooks. You are going to need them so you might as well start studying now. I definitely think you should prepare outlines by chapter of all of the first semester reading using colored ink to subdivide by major area. (Pathology, histology, etc.)

Also buy all of the items on the required equipment list. Get a little doctor's bag too because carrying your blood pressure cuff, your reflex hammer, your eye charts, and the rest of the stuff you'll use every day can be a chore if you just stick them in the pocket of your white coat.

Glad I could help.

 

[Dunce]

Hello,

First you need to get a copy of your school's required reading list for first and second year and start buying all of the textbooks. You are going to need them so you might as well start studying now. I definitely think you should prepare outlines by chapter of all of the first semester reading using colored ink to subdivide by major area. (Pathology, histology, etc.)

Also buy all of the items on the required equipment list. Get a little doctor's bag too because carrying your blood pressure cuff, your reflex hammer, your eye charts, and the rest of the stuff you'll use every day can be a chore if you just stick them in the pocket of your white coat.

Glad I could help.

hahaha

I am going to give you some more top secret advice. Buy Netter's atlas and start memorizing everything now or you will be so screwed. Think about how many of your future classmates have already committed it to memory and have moved on to reciting chapters from Robbins verbatim. Dude, hurry up and get on it. You're gonna be so far behind.

But seriously. Just get the few things you need to move and get settled in. If you're moving somewhere new it might be a good idea to try to get familiar with the area. Do not buy any books at all. If you purchase a single book less than 2 weeks into the semester you should slap yourself. Try to get an idea of what you might need as far as books go, and talk to upperclassmen. I made the mistake of buying textbooks that I only opened out of guilt for dropping so much money on them.
Word to the wise: the library is an absolute goldmine. Your library should have most of the texts that might be "required," and you can also find a fair amount of good review books also.

 

[drmota]

TIVO
-mota

 

[MarzMD]

Are there any benefits from getting TIVO over DVR? I had my mind set on DVR,but after seeing how much more a month it costs, I think TIVO might be a smarter purchase. How exactly does TIVO work?

 

[synapse lapse]

Are there any benefits from getting TIVO over DVR? I had my mind set on DVR,but after seeing how much more a month it costs, I think TIVO might be a smarter purchase. How exactly does TIVO work?

TIVO is a DVR and it costs a monthly service fee as well.

 

[MarzMD]

TIVO is a DVR and it costs a monthly service fee as well.

Lame. I was under the assumption that it was a 1 time cost type thing. Ughh...I guess I am just destined to miss the few shows I actually like watching, becasue 10-15 dollars a month more is stupid for just a record function. If they were smart they would lower the price because their competition is the Internet and I can just dload shows for free. Just a little more time consuming.

 

[DrBowtie]

Lame. I was under the assumption that it was a 1 time cost type thing. Ughh...I guess I am just destined to miss the few shows I actually like watching, becasue 10-15 dollars a month more is stupid for just a record function. If they were smart they would lower the price because their competition is the Internet and I can just dload shows for free. Just a little more time consuming.

Buy a VCR and tape stuff old school if you are worried about cost.

 

[MarzMD]

Buy a VCR and tape stuff old school if you are worried about cost.

Nahh, I will just continue to be a pirate and dload everything. Why is internet and cable so damn expensive in KY? What are the best companies to get service from? And by best, I mean most reliable and cheapest.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

words

Oh Panda, you card!

 

[synapse lapse]

Lame. I was under the assumption that it was a 1 time cost type thing. Ughh...I guess I am just destined to miss the few shows I actually like watching, becasue 10-15 dollars a month more is stupid for just a record function. If they were smart they would lower the price because their competition is the Internet and I can just dload shows for free. Just a little more time consuming.

You can make your own dvr and have no fees. Google home PVR and PVR software or something like this and you will find tons of info. The initial cost is higher as you need to build a computer but you can adjust/add to it and lots of free software is available to manage information/record times. Oh and you can pay a lifetime membership fee for tivo but it only covers that box, which is stupid b/c technology gets better thus u will eventually want a better box with faster processing, better software, more hard drive space, etc. I recomend just making your own 👍

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Yeah, this is the first time I'm living alone. I've had the cost-saving advantage of my parents having a house close to my undergrad school. So when someone says "just get the essentials" it's pretty much a wide open field in my mind.

Thanks for the good advice (to those who gave some 😉 ).

 

[OrnotMajestic]

Hello,

First you need to get a copy of your school's required reading list for first and second year and start buying all of the textbooks. You are going to need them so you might as well start studying now. I definitely think you should prepare outlines by chapter of all of the first semester reading using colored ink to subdivide by major area. (Pathology, histology, etc.)

Also buy all of the items on the required equipment list. Get a little doctor's bag too because carrying your blood pressure cuff, your reflex hammer, your eye charts, and the rest of the stuff you'll use every day can be a chore if you just stick them in the pocket of your white coat.

Glad I could help.

Oh Panda, you forgot the essential: USMLE STUDY BOOKS. I would suggest buying several for Step 1, 2 AND 3. Start reviewing and doing test questions this summer before you start or you will NEVER survive medical school.

 

[betty7]

Oh Panda, you forgot the essential: USMLE STUDY BOOKS. I would suggest buying several for Step 1, 2 AND 3. Start reviewing and doing test questions this summer before you start or you will NEVER survive medical school.

You're joking, right??

 

[deleted68747]

i don't think i could live without my griddler. i use it exclusively to make paninis. oh, my dual ice cream maker is also indispensable, and so is the automatic bread maker, automatic espresso center, egg cooker, 60" plasma tv, walk-in humidor, panic room, stripper pole, pet monkey, and bidet.

 

[OrnotMajestic]

You're joking, right??

I figured my response was so over-the-top that the sarcasm would be excruciatingly obvious. Apparently my response wasn't quite over-the-top enough, leading me to conclude that there really are people who do this. This makes me reconsider my previous conclusions on selective forced sterility.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Thanks for the tip on the toaster oven! Yeah, fire hazards, especially when I'm alone (and, thus, more absent-mindedly multi-tasking) are definitely things to avoid.

i don't think i could live without my griddler. i use it exclusively to make paninis...bidet.

What are the bolded words?

 

[ND2005]

Thanks for the tip on the toaster oven! Yeah, fire hazards, especially when I'm alone (and, thus, more absent-mindedly multi-tasking) are definitely things to avoid.



What are the bolded words?

Paninis: hot, pressed sandwiches

Griddler: aka Griddle -- a flat cooking surface (could be used for making paninis)

bidet: a thing that shoots water up your butt. French cleanliness device.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Thanks, ND!

Paninis: hot, pressed sandwiches

Are Paninis those triangles that look like samosas but are made of bread? I love those! I haven't had them since I was in elementary school. But my aunt didn't use to make them with a griddler, just some other plugged in appliance that closed up on the sandwich and cooked it.

 

[SugarDaddy]

Two words.....George Forman. That and a microwave and you are set in regards to food.

 

[Jedix123]

I like oven toasters over George Foremans. Up to your personal style of eating though.

 

[cdql]

bidet: a thing that shoots water up your butt. French cleanliness device.

Good day to you sir!

 

[JohnnyOU]

- username

HAHA