The college experience can be described in a lot of ways. It is an educational experience, it's life changing and most of all it's expensive. One of the biggest expenses in college is purchasing textbooks. Many classes require multiple texts, and requirements change every quarter so there are always books to buy. Here are some tips to help you afford college textbooks.
Instructions
1. Buy them used. Whether shopping in the campus bookstore, a private bookstore or online, used textbooks are always cheaper than brand new ones. If your campus bookstore only stocks new books, look elsewhere for used equivalents before spending money on the new versions. Make sure the used texts are intact with all their pages and that they are the current edition required for the course.
2. Check with other students. If you have friends or dorm neighbors who share your major or have already taken some of the classes you are enrolling in, they may have kept some of their textbooks and be willing to share them with you. If they are textbooks that someone has been unable to sell back, you might be able to acquire the texts for a few dollars instead of buying them at full price.
3. Go to the library. Your campus library will probably have copies of all the texts required for current classes being offered. Some of these, like reference materials or limited editions, will not be available to check out of the library. Instead, make copies of the sections you need. A few dimes in the copier will be a lot less expensive.
4. Share the cost. If you know someone else that is in the same class, ask them if they are willing to split the cost of the book and then share it. This will allow you to spend half the money and gain a study partner in the process.
5. Shop off campus. On-campus bookstores might seem convenient because they are located nearby and have everything needed for every class being offered, but they often mark their prices up to more than twice the price in a retail bookstore. Copy down identification numbers for required books in the campus bookstore or get a list from your professor and shop off-campus to save money.
6. Stick to the essentials. Professors often recommend optional supplements or study guides in addition to the texts required for their class. Do not assume that you have to purchase these items; if the class is easy for you and you do well, additional resources may be an unnecessary expense. If you find that you do need the extra help, you can always look for a used copy later.
Tags: campus bookstore, being offered, texts required