Living Large on a Small Budget: A Student's Guide

By

Mark

· August 01, 2021

Budget-Friendly Resources for Medical Students

1. Study Materials Free Question Banks: Open-Access Textbooks: Online Channels for High-Yield Learning: 2. Exam Preparation USMLE/Step Resources: Reddit: 3. Clinical Skills Practice 4. Lifestyle Hacks Meals: Transportation: 5. Scholarships and Grants: 6. Tech Tools: 7. Networking and Mentorship: 8. Wellness and Support: 9. Personal Development: 10. Budget-Friendly Equipment:

1. Study Materials

Free Question Banks:

  • Amboss
    • Free trial periods or free resources during medical education weeks
  • UWorld
    • Discounts during conferences or with group buys)

Open-Access Textbooks:

  • Online PDF versions (check online or university libraries)

Online Channels for High-Yield Learning:

2. Exam Preparation

USMLE/Step Resources:

  • NBME sometimes has 3 pack bundle on sale
  • Anki flashcards (shared decks) for high-yield topics.

Reddit:

3. Clinical Skills Practice

  • Borrow or share clinical tools (e.g. stethoscopes, otoscopes)
    • Check student groups or ask alumni
  • Workshops or student-led sessions for practice

4. Lifestyle Hacks

Meals:

  • Campus food pantries

Transportation:

  • Scooters
  • Carpooling apps

5. Scholarships and Grants:

  • Specialty-specific scholarships
    • Check organizations like AMA, AMSA, or NHSC.
  • Institutional grants
  • Grants for conference attendance

6. Tech Tools:

  • Free Microsoft Office or Google Workspace accounts with school email
  • Educational discounts (e.g. Notion)

7. Networking and Mentorship:

  • Student interest groups
  • Professional organizations (e.g., APA, AAFP)
    • Mentorship and networking.
  • Free or low-cost local conferences for exposure to field of interest.

8. Wellness and Support:

9. Personal Development:

10. Budget-Friendly Equipment:

  • School sometimes provide stethoscopes, scrubs, etc.
  • Used equipment or books from graduating students.

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