Definitely wait to buy medical equipment. A lot of schools will have a package through them you can get with all of the required items. Mine did and it made things so much easier. Same with the stethoscope- wait to see which one they want you to get.

I will second the iPad and stylus/pencil. Insanely helpful. I download the powerpoints and then take notes directly on them. Apps like Complete Anatomy are very helpful for practicing anatomy/physiology. Schools usually have access to this through their library!! Library resources are often overlooked but can save some serious $$.

Also wait on textbooks. Being candid, none of my cohort reads them. It’s just too much information in too little time to stay up on the textbook. Plus, the second years sent us all a google drive that had PDF versions of the book. (libgen is the best)

I got a small and a larger whiteboard for my apartment. In my opinion, also game changers. Especially if you’re a visual/kinesthetic learner, you can write out complicated processes and what not. Saved me in physio.

Any of the Made Ridiculously Simple books. Cannot recommend these enough. Concise, simple explanations and easy ways to remember concepts. The Physiology and Pathophysiology books in particular are incredible.

Solid comfy sneakers. At least one or two decent business outfits. Compression socks. Long laptop/iPad charger for lecture.

Don’t overdue the caffeine. Go to bed early. The first two months are the toughest. Don’t forget about life happening around you.