The world of technology is vastly expanding and as I was growing up, devices such as iPad were non-existent, much less a smartphone. A smartphone then was rather bulky, with a slow internet connection, usually EDGE, mainly for downloading mobile games on the phone, not forgetting the cost of affording one. Most of us had phones which could only send texts (SMS) or place phone calls. As time went on, MMS was introduced and phones started having cameras. Taking down notes on an iPad or Tablet was unheard of, much less reading a book on a device.
Gone were those days and looking back, I am blessed for being born into a generation that is able to watch the progression of technology. Today, technology is heavily incorporated into every aspect of our life. It is amazing that we have progressed as such.
Coming back to the title on why you need an iPad / Tablet in medical school?
1. SAVE MONEY On Books
Let’s be real, textbooks, regardless of which course you’re on, is EXPENSIVE and we need LOTS of it for reference and if you are a medical student, you understand the various types of textbooks we would run through just to read up on a topic. A trip to the library to borrow or read up on a topic. A trip to the library to borrow or read up on certain books is good and cost effective BUT it is time consuming and the library does have its own set of opening hours.
In addition to that, carrying around multiple books is just painstaking when you only need reference to a certain topic. Plus, during certain free periods in between classes, you could easily pull out your device and have a quick read.
Having the Apple Pencil or any form of smartphone friendly pencil is definitely a plus point if you are a person who loves to write instead of type, like me. Personally, when it comes to studying or answering questions, I love to write on a physical piece of paper and draw out as well as to highlight the notes. However, I find myself having multiple collection of notes or books which only took up space later on in my room and I never really looked through them again. Hence, this resulted in me WASTING LOTS OF PAPER and well, space.
There are multiple websites where you are able to purchase books online or even download them without costs or even have your friends send them to you on your device.
Buying an iPad or Tablet will definitely be costly but in the long run, it save you lots of money which you would’ve spent on books or papers and flashcards. Just to be sure to carry around a powerbank or better yet, your charger.
2. Information At Your Fingertips
Imagine being in the hospital or class and you have to look something up on the internet quickly or in your textbooks. Yes, you could easily pull out your phone and do a quick Google Search but how would that look? You are without a doubt, looking information but to the other person, it is as if you have decided to start playing your phone and reply messages.
No, vanity or the way you present yourself is NOT the reason why you should invest in a tablet or an iPad.
But having to just type a word in your library of online books and you are able to access it immediately makes your life way easier than if you were able to pull out multiple textbooks and scan through the index just to search for the page again and flip through the books.
3. Online Notes
I still do write some of the notes on a piece of paper and fold them and carry them around in my pocket. But only SOME, not all.
Gone were the days where I used to draw mind maps on a sheet of paper and compile them into a file or even print out every lectures and compile them into a file and arranging my files on the bookshelf till well, I ran out of files, papers and space.
With online notes, my notes are ALWAYS WITH ME WHEREVER I GO. Be it going on holidays or to class or sudden miscellaneous plan, I have myself covered with my device.
If you are a person who prefers to write, there are multiple apps available online which caters to the use of smartphone pencil or Apple pencil. Thus, giving the feel of writing on paper and it gives more autonomy in designing and writing your own notes.
4. It Works As A Substitute For The Laptop
Substitute.
Of course, nothing beats using the laptop. Personally when it comes to doing most of my work, presentations or even typing out my assignments, I still prefer to use the laptop. sadly, I can’t be carrying around both devices at the same time as I would always be on the go or at the hospital. Besides, I can’t write on laptop as I would be able to an my iPad.
However, on days where I’m required to complete a presentation last minute or even work on my assignments, I noticed that I could do so remotely on my iPad. I would not work as quickly as I usually do on my laptop as I’m more comfortable using it but it still functions well nonetheless.
In addition to that, here are multiple keyboards and mouse available online with various designs at a reasonable price which are suitable for an iPad / Tablet, thus giving a “laptop” feel.
Here are 4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Investing On An iPad / Tablet and if you’re unsure between an iPad / Tablet or a Laptop, my advice would be to invest in an iPad / Tablet first. Both devices are almost the same price but you would be able to do more on an iPad / Tablet as a medical student.
The Theoretical Doctor 
I’m a med student and I agree with you ma’am but I want to get something doing online just for extra income so do you recommend I get both? Or does it depend on what I want to do? If I can’t afford both which should I go for?
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Hi Abigail, by both you mean iPad / Tablet or a Laptop?
It depends, personally, an iPad or a Tablet is more than sufficient. With iPad, it’s versatile, lightweight and easier to carry around. You can access your textbooks as well and go about writing your notes. If in case you need to do slides or do your reports, you can still access microsoft word or powerpoint or whichever server you use and connect with a portable keyboard if you wish to 🙂 Thus, it functions as a “versatile laptop”.
It’s not necessary to get a laptop, I happened to have a laptop prior to getting an iPad back then while I was in university but during classes, I find myself using the iPad more.
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