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Have you ever wondered what items will make your super busy study life easier as a premed?
As someone who’s been premed for way too long, I’m always searching for ways to improve my productivity and save time.
Being premed is one of the most challenging college majors where you’ll be studying every day, which is why it’s so important to maximize your efficiency!
Over the year, I’ve found these budget friendly premed essentials to make my life easier, and I want to help make your life easier too.
Budget Friendly Premed Essentials
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need the newest MCAT books, Apple iPad, AirPods, or Nespresso machine to be successful as a premed.
Sometimes the simpler, the better. And who doesn’t love saving money?
You may be surprised to find that some of these premed essentials don’t have anything to do with being premed.
Hear me out! I promise these budget friendly premed essentials will make your life easier in some way, just as it did mine.
related:
1. Coffee Machine
If you’re anything like me, you run on caffeine. I’m sorry, but how do people go through life without coffee?! If you don’t have a coffee addiction now, I’d bet money you’ll be a coffee snob by senior year. This coffee machine is so cute and comes in different colors with everything seen here!
2. Laptop Bag
I take this faux leather tote bag with me everywhere! It fits my laptop perfectly as well as so many other items. The best part? It’s waterproof!! I use it for school and even as a carry-on when traveling. It’s so chic and is the perfect bag for all your needs.
3. Echo Dot
I’m obsessed with my Amazon Alexa! Alexa has all the answers, is your own personal DJ, controls your home, and handles calls and messages. She can set an alarm or timer, turn on the light, and even check the weather. I use my Alexa every day and 10/10 recommend!
4. MCAT Flashcards
If you’re planning on taking the MCAT but not yet ready to commit to buying a $200 set of books, then this flashcard set is great to start with! It contains all six subjects and is perfect for studying on the go. Make it a goal to review 10 flashcards every morning while you get ready!
5. Mattress Pad
I don’t know about you but my mattress in college (and even grad school) isn’t the most cloud-like luxurious thing. Good mattresses are expensive! My mattress topper has drastically improved my sleep and elevated my comfort. It’s definitely something I can’t live without!
6. Slow Cooker
If you want to eat healthier while saving time cooking, get a slow cooker! You can surprisingly make so many different recipes with a slow cooker/ crockpot. Just cut up your vegetables, throw in some protein, and let the slow cooker do the rest. So simple and easy!
7. Blue Light Blocking Glasses
There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t wear my blue light blocking glasses! They help immensely with eyestrain and headaches. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me wear a similar pair to these on my story. These are a dupe for my Moscot NYC aviator glasses!
8. Fuzzy Slippers
Y’all, I hate when my bare feet touch the floor. Walking around my apartment and then getting into bed just makes me cringe for some reason, even if the floor is clean! These slippers are so soft and comfortable, and a great way to elevate your every day without breaking the bank!
9. Glass Whiteboard
When studying biology, I would write the animal kingdom repeatedly on a large mirror with an expo marker. That is until I got a whiteboard! Many of the classes you’ll take as a premed will require you to use the study technique called spaced repetition. This glass whiteboard is so aesthetic and fantastic for reviewing and recalling information!
10. Premed PlayBook
If you don’t follow Dr. Gray on Instagram or listen to his podcasts/YT videos… what are you doing?! I call him the premed god, lol. His premed book series is fantastic (I have all four books!). There’s so much to know about the medical school application process. Dr. Gray breaks it down perfectly with detailed examples and explanations. Out of all the premed essentials, you need this one!
11. Quality Water Bottle
Bestie, I know you’re sipping coffee all day and forgetting to drink water! I find that when I have a water bottle I really love, it’s so much easier to stay hydrated. There’s nothing worse (ok maybe a few things) than being in a 3-hour long class and not having any water. Plus, when you’re hydrated so is your skin, and who doesn’t want clear glowing skin?!
12. Celcius Energy Drink
Let me put you on bulk ordering from Amazon. It’s a game changer and so much cheaper than buying items individually! I am a total energy drink feen (and secretly love energy drinks more than coffee, shh). I love grabbing a Celsius out of my fridge for those days when I need an extra boost!
13. Laptop Stand
Not only will a laptop stand improve your workspace ergonomics, but it will also help reduce back and neck pain by elevating your screen to eye level. Being premed is already painful enough, we don’t need back pain on top of it, lol. Fix that posture, bestie!
14. Foam Earplugs
If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m HUGE on sleep hygiene. I’m naturally a night owl, so I need all the help I can get to be in bed by a decent hour, and blocking out noise is essential. You can also take these to the library to block out noise instead of wearing noise cancelling headphones for hours, which can get heavy!
15. Portable Charger
There’s nothing worse than your phone or computer being on 5% battery and you’re nowhere near an outlet. This is the perfect solution for those kinds of emergencies! A portable charger is great to take to class, the library, and when traveling.
16. Lab Goggles
Yasss we got them pink lab goggles, bestie!! You’re going to need to wear lab goggles in almost every one of your labs as a premed. This includes biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, etc. These are the exact goggles I bought and they’re super comfortable and don’t slip off your face. A premed essential for sure!
17. Noise Canceling Headphones
You’ve probably seen a friend or a classmate wearing the new Apple Airpods Max or Beats by Dr. Dre but the truth is, they’re ridiculously expensive! Noise canceling headphones definitely make the premed essentials list, and these beauties are budget friendly and highly rated!
18. Silk Eye Mask
Two words, sleep hygiene! It’s so important to get a good night’s sleep to function optimally. Exposure to light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences circadian rhythms. This silk eye mask will prevent light from reducing your sleep quality and feels super soft on your skin. Did I mention it also helps prevent wrinkles?! (I’m looking at you side sleepers!)
19. Drawer Organizers
How great do you feel after cleaning your house or apartment? I love a clean and organized home, which is why these clear drawer organizers are an absolute premed essential for me! An environment in disarray will likely reflect in your daily life. This organization set is perfect for make up brushes, hair brushes, pens + highlighters, skin care products, and more.
20. Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
When I say this is the best bag in the world, I mean it! I usually hate hopping on trends, but this bag is 1000% worth the hype. It’s perfect for running errands and looks adorable with biker shorts or leggings. The everywhere belt bag is almost always sold out, so if you see a color you love, snag it quickly!
There you have it, 20 budget friendly premed essentials to make your life easier!
This is the first blog post I’ve done like this, so if you enjoyed this post please let me know in the comments below.
What are some premed essentials you can’t live without?
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The Comments
jani
What a great list! I really wish I had had a few of these during my premed and medical school years. Also I love your blog theme, it is absolutely beautiful.
Tara Caitlin
janiHi Jani, this is such a sweet comment. Thank you so much!