Are you looking for the best things to buy before you join medical college? This blog has everything you need to know about the most important and useful things that you will need to buy for your first year of MBBS.
Medschool can be a tough time for students who have a hard time making the right decisions. Many of us end up spending our money on the wrong things and regretting the purchases later. Knowing what it’s like to be a medical student myself, I understand how you feel!
Here’s a list of the essential purchases that first-year medical students who are joining MBBS should make to make life easier on them. Enjoy shopping!
Things To Buy for First Year MBBS
Textbooks
Every medical college student needs textbooks to study and prepare for exams. Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry constitute the first year of MBBS.
Some students prefer to buy the standard textbooks (written by foreign authors), while there are most who prefer to purchase the exam preparatory manual or non-standard textbooks (written by Indian authors). It’s a matter of personal preference.
Below are the most widely used textbooks for each subject.
In the link below, I provide a detailed blog on how you can decide what books to read and the NMC’s list of recommended books for MBBS first year.
Stethoscope
A stethoscope is perhaps the most basic and possibly most important piece of equipment a medical student or a doctor needs these days. There are usually a lot of different stethoscopes available in the market place and each one comes with various features.
A satisfactory stethoscope should be able to deliver superior sound performance as well as be comfortable to use. You’re just starting out with your MBBS first-year, so I’d recommend getting a decent one that does the job rather than spending too much. Litmann Stethoscopes are the best but don’t go for it in your first year itself.
Apron or White Coat
This coat symbolises the hopes, dreams, and struggles it took to get here!
Apron or the lab coat will mostly be provided by your college, so you don’t need to buy one yourself. I recommend getting at least two coats because you’ll be busy and laundry is the last thing on your mind.
Apple iPad with Pencil
The life of a medical student is pretty tough, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a lot of things you can do to make your life as a medical student easier, for example, getting an iPad! An iPad allows you to easily take notes, read textbooks and watch video lectures.
Medical students don’t really “need” an iPad to start their MBBS journey in a medical college. However, it can be a great tool for digital note-taking and studying. Being slim, lightweight, and powerful, it’s the perfect gadget to carry around in your backpack.
You can easily get PDFs of textbooks on the iPad and read them using the iBooks app. Those heavy textbooks will no longer be a burden to carry around!
In short, an iPad is a valuable device with great potential to make our lives easier and more productive.
Bone Set
Anatomy is one of the most important subjects in medical college. A good understanding of the subject is essential. The human anatomy is very complex and this is why students need to practice every bit of it. And this is where bone set comes in. By using a bone set, students can study Anatomy more easily and more effectively.
It can be expensive to purchase a brand new set. However, you can get the set from your seniors for a much more reasonable price. You can count on your bone set as your study buddy for the year!
Dissection Kit
A dissecting kit usually includes high-quality stainless steel tools such as dissecting scissors, forceps/tweezers, dissecting needles, scalpel blades, and more. You won’t have to buy one since it is usually provided by your college.
General Stationery
- Haematoxylin and Eosin colour pencils (for Histology)
- Pen
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Sharpner
- Highlighter
- Notebook
- Whitener
- Ruler
Laboratory Instruments
It is most likely that you will not need to buy laboratory instruments since your college usually provides them.
For Physiology lab:
- Lancet
- Sphygmomanometer
- Penlight/Flashlight
- Tuning Fork
- Knee Hammer
- Tourniquet Belt
- Measuring Tape
- Thermometer
For Anatomy lab:
- Dissection Kit
- Surgical Gloves
- Measuring Tape
Backpack
Backpacks are an essential part of everyone’s college life, helping you carry your everyday essentials with ease.
We all know that a good quality backpack is a must-buy for college, but there are not many people who are aware of why. If you don’t have a backpack that is comfortable and reliable you will soon be back in search of one.
A good backpack adds to your style and makes you stand out in a crowd. Moreover, it gives you a sense of organization, which is critical for medical students who have a hectic schedule.
Don’t make the mistake of buying a cheap one because it will fall apart and won’t be worth the money. These are what I recommend.
Smartphone
A smartphone has become an integral part of our day to day life and at times, is the only device you can rely on to stay connected to the outside world.
Your mobile phone is an important tool while you’re at college. You use your mobile phone to stay in touch with your friends and family. You use it to take photos and videos of your experiences. You use it for everything.
Choose a mid-range or high-end model that can comfortably last you for a few years.
Power Bank
Medical students are always in need of a power bank because they are always on the move. The day is filled with tasks like going to the laboratory, going to the canteen, going to hospital rounds, and at the end of the day, a power bank is needed to charge your phone.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is an important part of a student’s day, and hence good quality water bottles are essential.
A good quality water bottle will not leak, it is always durable and free of odour. Furthermore, it does not add any harmful chemicals to your water, and it is easy to clean and dishwasher safe. They are better at keeping water cold or hot than any other bottle.
Wrist Watch
Going to college can be a daunting task. You have to be comfortable studying on your own; you have to be able to handle the workload and you have to maintain a healthy balance between your studies and your social life. You also have to maintain a healthy lifestyle because your health is just as important as your academics.
Time flies. And if you are in college, it will fly even faster. A watch is one of the most important wearable accessories you will ever own. You need to check the time repeatedly and a watch makes it easier.
A watch is not just useful for time management, but it also helps you plan your daily activities so that you can avoid wasting time.
Laptop
You may want to go for a laptop over an iPad if you feel a laptop will be more convenient for you. Again, medical students don’t really need a laptop to get started with med school. However, it can be a useful device that will make life easier during one’s MBBS journey.
From converting the huge textbooks into PDFs to making PowerPoint presentations and staying up to date with the latest news in the medical field, it’s a beneficial tool to have in college.
In today’s world, Internet use has become a necessity. Medical students have much to gain from using Internet technology, which is revolutionizing the medical field. Medical professionals have used computers to improve the quality of care, use evidence-based treatments, and maintain and update knowledge for decades.
If you’re shopping for a laptop in 2022, it’s best to buy a mid-range or high-end model so that it will last longer.
Smoothie Maker
Medical students, especially hostelites have a very busy schedule and are unable to prepare meals because of time constraints.
Smoothies are quick and easy to make, easy to carry and taste great. They are packed with vitamins and minerals since they are made out of fruits and vegetables. A smoothie maker will help them to get the nutrition they need when they’re on the run.
Goodluck Medicoholics! Until next time.
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