Starting optometry school is exciting, but figuring out what you actually need can be overwhelming. With so many recommendations online, it's easy to overspend on supplies you'll rarely use. This list highlights the essentials that will help you stay organized, prepared, and confident as you begin your first year.
CLOTHES
- The first item I highly recommend bringing to campus is a light jacket or sweatshirt, as it gets really cold in the lecture halls and the library. While there isn't a dress code for everyday classes, you'll need either business casual attire or scrubs for proficiencies. Any color scrubs are acceptable for proficiencies, but Ketchum Health clinic requires navy blue scrubs. I also recommend wearing comfortable shoes when you’re at clinic as there’ll be a good amount of walking and standing. Lastly, a business casual outfit would be good to have for the class picture at orientation, any conferences you may want to attend, etc.
SCHOOL RELATED
- During orientation, you'll receive most of your equipment, so I highly recommend buying labels or stickers to put your name on everything. Many of the smaller pieces of equipment look identical and can easily get mixed up or misplaced during lab. Labeling your items makes it much more likely they'll find their way back to you if they're lost. From personal experience, I don't recommend using plain white name stickers with your name written in Sharpie. The alcohol wipes used in labs and clinic can cause the ink to come off.
- You'll also want to bring a calculator for optics and other exams. It must be a calculator from the TI-30 series. Having your own calculator is helpful for working through practice problems in class and studying, although calculators are available to borrow during exams if you ever need one.
- For carrying your everyday things to bring to class, a regular backpack is good! I would also bring extra chargers in case you need to charge your iPad (which is provided by the school) for class or before/during an exam!
- Lastly, many people bring lunchboxes to campus and keep them in the fridges in our student union!
EYE RELATED
- Once spring quarter rolls around, you'll be getting your eyes dilated pretty regularly during lab, so a pair of sunglasses is a must for walking outside or driving home comfortably. It's also a good idea to keep a contact lens case and solution, or even a backup pair of contacts, in your backpack since you'll be spending long days in class and lab. I always bring my glasses with me too, just in case I need to take my contacts out before the day is over.
