"Must Have" Gear

Well I feel for you because I am just finishing up nursing school. There is no easy answer to your question because everyone learns at a different pace and by different ways. The one thing that I can say that will almost always help is doing NCLEX practice question before each exam. This might not be so relevant during your first semester, but definetely during Med Surg, Peds, & OB. There are TONS of books out there but I would say the safest one to go to would be Mosby's NCLEX study book. It comes with a CD that has thousands of questions that reinforce your knowledge before exams.

(Clinical area)
Good Stethoscope
wrist watch with non-leather band
A pen with multiple colored ink (red, black, blue, green)
a pocket size note pad
if computer savvy (PDA with drug guide)
bandage scissor
pocket sized antimicrobial (most hospitals have them on their walls but it does not hurt to carry ur own just in case)
bobby pins for women to pull their hair back and in place
(classroom)
Your full attention all the time (I'm more auditory than visual, I learn first by hearing then reinforce it by reading the book)
Always do practice questions (practice makes perfect, test taking is a skill that you will have to develop)
Get NCLEX review books no matter if you are still far away from taking it. There are good content summaries and lots of questions to practice.

You will need a good stethescope for clinicals but as for all the other stuff (scissors etc.) it is usually supplied on the unit you will be on. Pocket references are also nice for common diseases/drugs etc. I also found it helpful to carry notecards with me to wirte down stuff I didn't want to forget!

POCKETS!!!!!!!!!

A Very good pair of shoes as your feet will be thankful!!!!!!
No one can pay attention or form a decent thought when their feet hurt .

A lot of support!! Good Strong Coffee, Oreos and a friend to call!

Stethoscope (suggest Littmann but this one is good and cheap! http://www.lydiasuniforms.com/scrubs...cope&catid=100)
Scissors (not always supplied, good to carry your own - bandage or trauma shears)
Pockets...
Hemostat (4-5")
PDA or notepad (need a good reference if not using PDA)
ETOH pads (just use the ones at your clinical site)
2x2s (just use the ones at your clinical site)
good backback
black pen
red pen (needed to cross off orders or make items stand out)
sharpie marker
highlighter (if you so choose to use one - didn't work for me though)
watch with second hand (like mentioned earlier, leather band, not recommended d/t germs being kept in)

NCLEX review book is a huge benefit!!! (i personally like using Saunders for my studying)

Patience. Loads and loads of patience. Having a loving and understanding wife doesn't hurt, either. Oh, and grown kids!

This made me laugh. My kids run me ragged half the time. They are 10,9,6, and 3. I have a feeling they will be making friends with their PS2 on weekends so Mommy can study! LOL