10 Must-Have Items for an SLP Grad Student

Many of you have asked me for grad school must-haves, and while you absolutely do not need to purchase anything before starting grad school, here are a few fun ideas!

1. A lanyard for your clinic badge. So many of my classmates wore their badges on these adorable lanyards. It's a fun way to add personality to your ID badge! The one here is available on Etsy. Click here to purchase.

2. A cute clipboard or padfolio. I always put my notes and lesson plans in a clipboard for each session, that way I had a surface to take data on even when you are playing on the floor. Another perk of a clipboard - it gave me something to do with my hands and made me feel professional when I met new clients. Target has many cute options, and getting one through Etsy is a great way to support artists. Click the picture for a link to purchase on amazon. Click here for a cute option on Etsy.

3. Frixion Erasable Pens. You guys, I love these pens so much. They are gel pens that erase almost completely clean. These are a game-changer for scoring assessments and taking exams. These pens are available on amazon.

4. Rocketbook Notebook. I would be remiss to forget this notebook, I never had one, but nearly half my cohort owned them and raved about them. You can take pictures of your notes and they upload to an app where you can store and organize notes. The best part is that these notebooks wipe completely clean so you can re-use it over and over again with the magic of the frixion pens.

5. Clinic Clothes. If you are coming fresh from undergrad, you might need to stock up on business casual for clinic. I recommend stocking up on comfortable dress pants and fun tops to wear. I love shopping at loft for my clinic clothes, so I've included a link here.

6. Blue Light Glasses. I've never had a pair, but some people swear by them for preventing headaches and eyestrain. Click the picture for the link to amazon, or check out more options at Zenni.

7. This Buff Bunny Game Changer Bag. A solid tote or backpack is a must for grad school and this one has a sleeve for your laptop and an insulated compartment for your lunch! Plus, this one will last forever and take you past graduate school. My sister swears by this bag and said the costumer service is great. It comes in more colors too. Click here to get this adorable bag.

8. A pair of slip-on sneakers. As an SLP grad student, you need a pair of shoes that are comfy enough to chase down sneaky kids and professional enough to look like a master clinician. Check these out here.

9. A cute water bottle. For how many vocal hygiene lectures you will give to clients, you better keep your own vocal folds hydrated! This water bottle looks like a hydroflask but costs way less. Click the image to purchase on amazon.

10. A stylish watch. You'll need to keep track of a schedule within a session, so having a watch to glance at is a game-changer. This one from from Kate Spade is adorable and would dress up any outfit. Check it out here.

11. A laminator and laminating sheets. I laminated too many artic cards and craft projects to count! Plus, if you will use it way after grad school to make lasting speech activities and useful materials. This one has great reviews on amazon and comes with everything you need to get started. Click the image to shop!