Looking back to when I was a dental student, there were several things I relied on day to day that helped me survive dental school. Let me briefly introduce the 7 must-have items for dental students.
1. COFFEE
I am sure coffee has some boosting effect on our brain, but it was actually more than that for me because just a mere thought of getting that large black iced coffee in the morning was what motivated me out of bed. My go-to was Tim Hortons iced coffee (I recommend black, it's healthier), but Starbucks iced americano is also good, maybe except for its cost. If you are a coffee lover, I recommend limiting it to about 1-2 cups a day as more than that could have a few side effects like dehydration, frequent urination, or even a headache. No matter though, coffee definitely played a part in getting me through dental school :)
2. LOUPES
For those of you aspiring to be a dentist, I recommend you get a pair of loupes (special glasses with magnification). It immensely helps with ergonomics, concentration, and obviously ability to better visualize your working area. The biggest long-term benefit with loupes would probably be that you can save yourself from back and neck strain as they force you to keep a certain distance from the working field and keep an optimal posture. Trust me, quite a few dentists retire early because of their back and neck pain from bad posture, and a pair of loupes will help prevent that.
3. COMFY SCRUBS
While in dental school, you will probably be in your scrubs most out of all the attire. So, ensure you choose the correct size, or you can custom order them from many different places, classic one being Figs. With lots of lectures and clinics to complete, the last thing you want is to have uncomfortable scrubs cause you distress.
4. GYM CLOTHING
After a full day of lectures and clinic, your body can't wait to get active. I always had gym clothing in my bag in case I wanted to hit the gym right after school (sometimes, you feel lazy after long hours of classes and clinic). I want to encourage those who don't go to the gym to at least try it out because it helped immensely with my stamina and focus, and it might do just the same for you.
5. GOOGLE CALENDAR & WHITEBOARD
As someone who hasn't been too big on planning, I only really found its necessity in dental school because the schedule was dense like never before. I didn't buy fancy planning apps, but instead resorted to basic, free software like Google Calendar to essentially help me plan for exams, quizzes, assignments, and clinical sessions. I also used the physical whiteboard to help remind myself the schedule in case I forgot.
6. NOISE-CANCELLING EARPHONES
These came in real handy both for studying and during workouts, as they allow you to concentrate on the tasks at hand. I mean, 90% of what you end up doing while in school is either of those two. Now, I personally used a pair of Airpods Pro and loved them because their noise cancelling was better than most other ones I've used before. Headphones also work if you dig those more. I personally liked the Sony headphones as they had both the quality and aesthetics (sponsor me, Apple and Sony!). Don't hesitate to invest in a good pair, as they will last you throughout your four years in school and beyond.
7. CHERRY FLAVOUR HALLS
If you've ever had a sore throat, I am sure you've tried Halls before. Not only can you eat them when you have a sore throat, but you can also enjoy them while studying. I've had countless times where Halls saved me from constantly falling asleep (chewing on candy can help you stay awake) as well as from my urge to binge on excessively sugary snacks which often make you feel bloated and even groggy. Catch is that you can get Halls for cheap at the dollar store as well. It doesn't have to be Halls, so simply pick your candy of choice and have them from time to time.
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