Nursing school is exciting – but also stressful. For first-year students, it can be intimidating to juggle your new classes, meeting classmates, studying, and everything else in your life. The University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus wants all students to be prepared, so we asked current students for their essential items.
1. A Planner (Keep it Organized!)
Planners are essential to keeping everything organized. They’re great tools for noting your class and exam schedules, clinicals, study groups, and everything else going on in your life. You may want a physical (paper) planner, or use a calendar app on your phone. A calendar app also allows you to set reminders on your phone, so you don’t forget anything.
💡CU Nursing Tip: Your professors will give you a syllabus for classes. You can check the college’s academic calendar for semester start dates, holidays, and add/drop dates.
2. Note-taking and Study Supplies
Organized note-taking is essential to understanding what’s happening in your lectures, and you will use your notes to study for quizzes and exams. Depending on your note-taking style, you may want a laptop or tablet to type notes. Or, you may thrive on writing down your notes. Invest in pens in different colors (so you can color-code different subjects or details), highlighters, sticky notes, index cards, and notebooks. You’ll probably use a lot of these same supplies for studying.
💡CU Nursing Tip: We put together a list of study tips to help you stay on track.
3. A Backpack
Buy a bag that is sturdy and will last the entire year. You don’t want the straps to break or the fabric to rip on your way to class! Make sure it can fit all your essentials.
4. An Insulated Water Bottle and Lunchbox
You might be spending all day on campus or in clinicals, so access to a refrigerator might be limited. Buy an insulated water bottle so your water (or drink of choice) stays hot or cold for several hours. An insulated lunchbox is also essential to keep food cold when you take a break.
💡CU Nursing Tip: There are water bottle filling stations around campus so you never have to worry about running out of water!
5. Good Shoes and Compression Socks
You’re going to be on your feet for hours, and your feet will thank you for investing in a quality pair of supportive shoes. Wearing compression socks improves blood flow and reduces swelling of your legs after standing (or sitting in a lecture) for hours.
6. A Stethoscope, Scrubs, and Other Nursing Basics
A stethoscope is essential for labs and clinicals. Don’t forget it at home! (This is where you can use your planner to remind yourself to pack your stethoscope 😉) You’ll also need a pair of scrubs to wear in clinicals. It’s a good idea to have extra masks or bottles of hand sanitizer in your backpack to protect yourself (and others) after being in and out of clinical settings.
💡CU Nursing Tip: You can buy CU Nursing-branded scrubs (and other supplies) at the CU Anschutz bookstore.
Additional sources:
- NurseJournal.org: What to Expect in Your First Year of Nursing School
- Nurse.org: Nursing School Supplies Survival Kit
