Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists

Friday's Digest #111

Get Ready for University:

Gear Recommendations for Students and Professors

First semester is almost here, and so are the “back to school” sales.

To help you decide, this is the most productive gear I use all the time.

October 11th, 2024

Friday's Digest - The Newsletter for Doctors & Scientists

For two decades, I've been developing tools that have improved my practice in medicine, dentistry, and scientific research.

Join me every Friday to discover a new tool you can integrate into your workflow as a doctor, a scientist, or both.

I believe in sharing knowledge, embracing automation, boosting productivity, and finding joy in the process.

Life Update
Tools and Tips
Readers’ Favorite

Life Update

I'm back home!

It has been quite a ride.

I boarded the plane in June 2022, and after two-plus years, I landed back home.

So much has changed.

So much has remained the same.

It will take time to process my years abroad, and probably longer until I settle back in.

Since I got back, I've heard some questions repeatedly.

Let’s answer them here:

Q: "Are you happy to be back?"

A: Oh yeah.

Q: "Are you worried about the future now that you're back home?"

A: Nope. I wasn’t worried before, and I’m not worried now.

Q: "Are you going to continue writing this newsletter now that your fellowship journey is over?"

A: Definitely.

This newsletter has transcended into something meaningful for so many, myself included. I'm not going to stop because of geography.

Now, a technical note.

I've made a slight change to the titles in this newsletter. "Preface" is now "Life Update"—a section dedicated to more personal things.

"Main Article" is now "Tools and Tips." The content won't change, but this will help readers understand what to expect from each section.

Let me know if you like it (or hate it 😃).

This week starts with Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday that involves fasting.

Not everyone fasts, but I do.

On this day, I reflect on the past year and think about how I behaved. Especially towards those around me. Fasting helps to clear the mind.

Before my first Yom Kippur in the US (in 2022), I wasn't sure if I'd fast. It was a clinic day, and clinics were EXTREMELY busy. But eventually, I fasted. I felt I'd lose a part of myself if I didn't.

Before my second Yom Kippur in the US (in 2023), I had no doubt. I knew I was going to fast. But my schedule was even worse. I ended up fasting for 28 hours because of hospital obligations (instead of the usual 25). It was tough, but I stayed true to myself.

This year, I’ll have the good old Yom Kippur experience in my homeland.

There's nowhere else I'd rather be.

Number 111!

Tools and Tips

The new school year is here!

Whether you're embarking on a new journey as a student, a professor looking to upgrade your teaching accessories, or simply searching for gift ideas, this list is for you.

For over two decades, I’ve been on both sides of the university classroom. As a student, trainee, and teacher— I've used countless computers, gadgets, stationery, and teaching accessories.

Through it all, I've learned one important lesson:

Most sellers don't understand your unique needs when you’re a student or a professor.

They all try to sell you the same gear they recommend to video editors and software developers.

They smell your grant money and attempt to sell you expensive, unnecessary add-ons.

I’ve been there.

And it took me some time (and money) to find the gear that fits my needs.

You don’t have to walk down the same path. Let me save you the time and money.

So, without further ado, here's my list:

🔵 Bag

👉 Voova laptop sleeve bag - I use this to carry my laptop around university and conferences. The zippers are sturdy, and I really like the structure of the side handle.

👉 Zinz slim and expandable backpack - I searched for a bag that could be both slim and low-profile, yet expand to a full-size backpack when needed. This bag is perfect for conferences and travel. I can pack enough clothes for 2-3 days, then collapse it into a slim backpack for carrying my laptop and accessories.

👉 Peak Design Everyday Backpack - This is the best bag I ever had, by far. It handles VERY heavy loads while remaining comfortable and keeping everything accessible. It’s also available in a smaller version.

🔵 Headphones

Headphones come in two main varieties: noise-cancelling and non-noise-cancelling. They also differ in design, with in-ear and over-the-ear being the most popular options.

👉 Apple AirPods Pro 2 - These are the headphones I use most. They have excellent noise cancellation and they sound great (for in-ear headphones). Combined with their portability, connectivity, and impressive battery life, they're truly outstanding.

👉 Audio-Technica ATH-M50X - These are true headphones. Something you pick up when you really want to enjoy music. They don’t have Bluetooth, nor noise cancellation. But they deliver outstanding sound quality for their price.

👉 Sony WH-1000XM4 - These are among my all-time favorites for those preferring over-the-ear, Bluetooth, and noise cancellation. On top of great sound, they have excellent battery life, and they fold into a compact carrying case (unlike the Apple AirPods Max, and unlike the newer version 5 of Sony).

🔵 Pocket Notebook

Writing with pen and paper offers many benefits. It allows you to preserve your thoughts without relying on digital devices or cloud services. This is where pocket notebooks come in.

👉 Field Notes - I use it for everyday writing I'd like to keep, but don’t care if I throw it away eventually.

👉 Leuchtturm 1917 - This hard-cover notebook is perfect for preserving your most important moments. It's a joy to write in, put in the bag, or on the shelf.

🔵 Laptop

I use a MacBook Pro M2 laptop. I see no reason to use a desktop computer. Instead, I connect my laptop to a screen at home when needed.

If you choose between a laptop and a tablet, go for the laptop. Especially as a student or a teacher. A tablet will limit you.

👉 On a tight budget? The MacBook Air M2 costs around $850. It's perfect for browsing the internet, reading, using Word and PowerPoint, and making video calls. Nothing comes close to it in that price range.

👉 If you can invest a bit more but don't need high-performance tasks (like video editing or image processing), go for the MacBook Air M3 16GB.

👉 And if you absolutely need a powerful computer, the MacBook Pro M3 is my top pick.

And no. I don't recommend Windows-based computers. After using them for nearly 30 years, they failed me hundreds of times. I lost time and data because of them. In contrast, Apple has saved me time and boosted my productivity. It has NEVER failed me.

🔵 Pen

👉 Telescoping Space Pen - I always carry it in my bag. I love its compact size and writing experience. Its design prevents it from opening in your pocket.

👉 "Fancy" Brass Space Pen - A high-quality and good-looking pen. I've been using the same one for five years and counting.

👉 Zebra F-701 - This pen offers excellent writing quality without breaking the bank. It's perfect if you want a high-quality option but won't care too much if you lose it.

🔵 Presenter Remote

When giving a talk, I prefer using a remote. It allows me to move around freely and keep my audience engaged.

👉 Logitech Presenter R400 - This remote is excellent for those who prefer simplicity.

👉 Logitech Spotlight - By far, this is my favorite remote. I've been using it since 2018. Although it requires an initial 10-minute setup, I think it's absolutely worth the effort.

🔵 Mouse

While laptops come with trackpads, a mouse can significantly enhance your productivity.

👉 Logitech MX Master 3S - Hands down, the best mouse I've ever used. It's incredibly comfortable and reliable.

👉 Logitech Pebble Mouse - For occasional use without sacrificing bag space, this mouse is ideal. It even fits in most pockets.

🔵 Keyboard

There are countless keyboards out there, but I regularly use these two:

👉 Samsers Foldable Keyboard - if you want to carry a keyboard in your bag, compactness is key. However, smaller keyboards are often less comfortable to type on. That's why I like this folding keyboard. It's compact when folded yet comfortable when open. It even includes a trackpad.

👉 Keychron K2 Mechanical Keyboard - This is my favorite keyboard. It's a joy to type on and sounds great. Plus, it's compatible with Windows, Apple, and Android devices.

Readers’ Favorite

I've balanced clinical work and research for 14 years, and spent over 10,000 hours in a lab, and this is the single most important thing I learned:

You don't need formal research training to be good at research and publish.

However, you must have 3 habits to succeed:

Know how to write abstracts.
Collaborate with the right people.
Read literature productively.

You can read the full guide here.

Enjoy!

Epilogue

If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to join Friday's Digest, visit https://newsletter.shaysharon.com

That’s it for this issue.

See you next week!

Shay

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