Getting through medical school can become very challenging if you don’t have the necessary resources to make studying easier and organising your social life less complicated. From efficiently getting notes to mastering clinical skills, everything is much easier with quality products used in the right way. After going through a Biology Olympiad, work experience in hospitals, volunteering and research projects in labs, besides med school, I’ve got the opportunity to try a variety of medical tools; some of them were better than others, but I am here to recommend the best resources I tried so that I can make medical life easier for you.

This article is all about must-haves in the medical world (university, hospital and beyond).

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7 essential resources to survive medical school

1. A good pair of medical scrubs

I am starting off with the essentials, as there are some things you’ll need in your life as a med student, no matter if you just started out or if you are almost graduating. Even if you are a first-year student, medical scrubs will be on your must-have list for multiple reasons. First of all, at some universities, you will have clinical classes and access to the hospital environment from the beginning; that means hours spent on your feet – you’ll need a quality, breathable pair of medical scrubs that is also safe to wash (you’ll surely do that often).

Secondly, even if you don’t have classes in the hospital yet, it’s still highly recommended to attend as many workshops and hands-on activities as possible, so that you can learn clinical skills and gain access to exclusive out-of-classroom experiences. For those, you’ll need to wear medical attire, so it’s best to have some ready for use just in case. Lastly, many universities require mandatory practice hours in hospitals (during the academic year or during the summer break), so you’ll need to have adequate clothing.

I’ve worn this brand of medical scrubs since I started my first week of work experience, and I can only say good things about them. They are comfortable and perfect to use in the summer, as well as during colder months with something underneath.

2. An iPad for digital note-taking

I’ve covered some reasons why I believe digital note-taking is a game-changer in this article, but overall, it allows you to take more organised, smarter notes that are always on-hand, on the same device, no matter where you are. It gives you the freedom of having all your lectures, notes and textbooks in one place, so it’s easier to see the bigger picture, study better, and make easier connections between subjects. You can create flashcards, mind-maps, projects, presentations, mock-tests and discover an unlimited number of study methods, all from the same portable tablet that fits right in your bag. But digital note-taking is not the only thing an iPad is useful for. It will become your planner, calendar and personal assistant. You will use it to store all your documents in just one drive. I cannot stress enough how much a tablet changed the way I studied and viewed exams and university life in general.

I have used my iPad Pro for 2 and a half years, and it still feels brand new to me. A quality case is indispensable to protect it (Amazon has extremely cute ones), and a Zoopie pen instead of an Apple Pen. I think they work the same at a fraction of the price. If you have any other Apple products, linking them with your iPad will be all the more useful and efficient.

3. A quality bag

A bag that is big enough to fit all of your necessities, resilient enough to take out with you on bad weather, easy to organise, and also looks pretty… is a hard find, but also a lifesaver. You will only understand how important it is after some time of running to classes, going to the hospital, and carrying everything you need with you. Also, having food and water on hand. And having personal things easily accessible for an unexpected pick-me-up. A good bag should carry you through almost the entire university period, including hospital placements. My favourite bag is probably this one from BAGSMART, as well as all of their bags in general. I like that they can be closed properly, and that they resist any weather for multiple years. I’ve had mine for two years, and when I changed it, it was still usable. It also has nice compartments for many little things to be placed in handy storage.

4. Compression socks

They are a true godsend for hospital days or days when you have to be on your feet a lot. This could mean long and active workshops, shadowing or even lecture days if they take the entire day. Being and becoming a doctor means more than just mental effort; it requires a lot of physical resilience as well, and any tools that can make life easier when you attend back-to-back surgeries, have 12 hours of lectures or spend a day in the ER are something worth investing in. This brand makes amazing compression socks, so cute and quality, and I would truly recommend looking into them right now so that your feet can thank you later.

5. A good stethoscope

Another essential – a quality stethoscope will be important in university for different classes and lectures. Some med schools require you to have one earlier, and some only request it after you’ve gained some clinical experience. Nevertheless, a stethoscope is one of the most fundamental tools a doctor has to learn to use, so if you are a beginner, it’s still worth getting a cheaper one like this one, which you can learn to use, bring with you when necessary, at workshops or clinical activities.

After you’ve had some experience, though, it might be worth investing in a better quality one, such as the Littman Classic 3rd Generation, which is guaranteed to get you through at least most of uni and the foundation years. I love that they come in so many different colours and designs, because I’ve always liked expressing myself and my style through anything medicine-related. In this way, I’ve created this pink theme for my medical essentials, and the stethoscope fits right in with them. I also think the rainbow capsule is such a unique touch with these stethoscopes, and it’s worth investing in equipment that will serve you for many years to come.

6. Casseroles for meal prep

Another Amazon must-have, meal-prepping for college, is another one of those game-changers I talked about. Studying, attending lectures, exams, and hospital rounds require brain power and physical strength, so trying to do them while hungry will not serve either your physical or mental health. The life of a medical student can become truly hectic, so being able to meal-prep at the weekends, create a couple of casseroles that you can take out of the fridge with you just as you walk out the door, is something that future you will be grateful for. It also helps you save time, eat healthier (because you won’t be consuming processed snacks), and improve your mood and concentration. It is also such a small price for so many benefits that I believe this habit implementation becomes a no-brainer.

I’ve got mine also from Amazon, and I like that they are made out of glass, because it’s good to eliminate plastic containers and use more sustainable ones. In addition, they are very fridge-friendly and help food taste better even after 5 days.

You really have to try these vegan, gluten-free protein bars as well; so tasty, filling and easy to carry with you to snack on during the day.

7. Earplugs / Noise-cancelling earbuds

Last but not least, you will need some way to block out the noise for when you want to study, or rest, or focus on some reading you want to do somewhere else than your desk. I think they are a must-have for your typical college life, as well as for hospital life, because many times you will find yourself wanting a little quiet to focus on a task. You might go to different cafes to study, or just find yourself in inconvenient circumstances where you have to study in more unfortunate places.

Earplugs will be a lifesaver in all of these circumstances, and I think they should miss out of every med student’s bag. Personally, I’ve heard only good things about Loop Earplugs, but I am not gonna lie, I’ve mostly used my Airpods Pro, 2nd generation. They do an amazing job at blocking out any annoying sounds and are also resilient and comfy. They also don’t give you that feeling of stuffed ears that a lot of other earplugs have, which is something I appreciate. They are also so useful when you study for the UCAT and need complete quiet to focus. Read more about UCAT essentials here.

Overall, these items should get you started in your med school life, or should improve it, if you’re already knee-deep in it. I think they are essentials, and I always believe this is where you should invest your money, as quality essentials serve as the foundation of a solid start in medicine. As always, feel free to reach out!