Jan 08 2009
Textbooks
So…. what do YOU do to try to mitigate the cost of textbooks?
With enough lead time, now, it is often possible to find the books you need online … although that works better if the book has been around for awhile. For brand new publications, not so much.
I am fortunate - in English courses, the majority of the books we study have been around for eons… many of them can be found cheap in used book stores. I did get caught this time ’round. One of my profs wants that we should all have particular editions - so that even though I have the titles we need, I still had to go out and buy the ‘right’ versions today.Wasn’t too painful though - but it would have been if I hadn’t just picked up my scholarship cheque.
ANYWAY… if you have come up with strategies to help save on buying textbooks, feel free to share…. you never know who you might help.
I can’t help with that. Technical textbooks (when I went to college) were hideously expensive.
Good luck!
not all of us!
I routinely get in trouble for helping my students to access used copies of the textbooks we use in classes I teach - the college bookstore doesn’t appreciate me much! I also used to have a few extra copies that I would lend out to those with significant money challenges
Plus, cost is a huge issue in any textbooks I recommend - perhaps because I have spent SO much time in school; I know how hard it can be.
When i did my computer programming diploma, i was also single parenting, and my youngest was in hockey which was WAY expensive … often just could NOT buy the textbooks - several profs helped me out and now I pass it on whenever I can.
This year we had to change books as the software on the school systems changed from Office 2003 — 2007 …. so I am not able to help as much … but my sister did pass on a code that saves them 25% if they buy online instead of through the bookstore.
I will probably get in trouble again as a result… oh well!
I always search online to get the best deals, never minded a used book. I would also check with my friends in that class,, or at leat make one, and exchange books with them… alwyas worked for me
Dania
http://stretchyourdollar.today.com
a lot of courses at the U I now attend use Coursepaks to deliver material … we have one that pulls together a lot of the bits & pieces we need for our English intro course for example… they still pay a bit - but it is a LOT cheaper than having to pay for anthologies.
The WORST is profs that also write textbooks… and of course insist that you MUST BUY THEIRS - even if they have no intention of actually using the book.