Top products from r/slpGradSchool

Number one is some sort of planning system, whether a physical planner/calendar, through Google calendar, however. There are 101 little details to keep track of, even beyond the school and clinic work (documents that need to be signed, meetings, etc), so a planner is ESSENTIAL. I never used one before this year and am now incapable of functioning without it.

I also recommend a digital audio recorder that is NOT your phone. Most people use their phones, but the problem with that is that if they need to record video (I've recorded my client for pragmatic/conversational awareness) it might screw up the audio. Also, the sound quality is better with a good digital recorder, which can be important for artic, and you don't use up all your phone's storage space or waste the battery. The one I got can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XFTWCBJ/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It's reasonably priced, has great sound quality, and has a USB, so you can plug it directly into your computer and easily play/save files.

Number three is a clipboard (or a couple) with storage. I also got this on Amazon. Mine's slightly flimsier than I was hoping, but there are a bunch of different brands available--I just went with the cheapest. I can hold miscellaneous paper materials and data sheets for 2-3 clients, plus my audio recorder and some writing utensils.

Number four is just a bunch of miscellaneous office supplies. Paperclips and post-its are a must. I also treated myself to a couple nice pens with refillable cartridges, so all the writing I do is at least somewhat enjoyable.

I know many people find laminators useful. I personally haven't used one, I've just used laminator sheets by themselves, but I also haven't had a kid client yet, so we'll see. I'd still wait before you buy one though, since I've heard many programs have one available for student use (our program doesn't, though).

Oh, and make sure you have a new-ish computer before starting. It doesn't need to be super fancy, just make sure it's not on its last legs. Computer issues SUCK in grad school, since there's so much we do on them and there's no damn time to get them fixed.

Oh God, yes, one of those clipboards with internal storage is a must. I have a plastic one, made by Dexas (like $6 at Wal-Mart) and a heavy duty aluminum one.

The pens that have 4 colors in one can be a lifesaver.

Get tons of index cards for making flashcards.

Get a bunch of those little post it flags to mark important passages in texts.

No-bleed, possibly erasable highlighters.

I also got a mini portable scanner. It was a lifesaver in the library.

You mentioned a new backpack. Depending on how your days work out, you might want to consider something with wheels. I'd avoid the rolling crates like this. They always fell apart on me.

I wound up amassing SO MUCH loose paper, I needed tons of binder clips and paper clips to keep it organized.

A mini stapler can be a godsend when your prof hands out 10 page unstapled packets.

I am math challenged as well. I know my low quantitative score did prohibit me from being accepted into a couple of schools that had minimum scores for applications.


HOWEVER, my graduate school cared more about my practical experiences and only cared that I took the GRE. That being said, this book (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0804125961?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image) is how I increased my score when I took it for the second and final time.

I'm not sure if this works because my class doesn't start until next week, but my professor assigned us a coloring book. My class is neurological anatomy, but I can link the coloring book here for you. I am a visual learner, so I'm hoping it will really help. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0205548741/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This backpack saved my life! It’s waterproof and fits all of my books, laptop, clinic clothes, etc.!

Outjoy Backpack