Textbooks are expensive.

Really, really expensive.

A recent study showed that most students average about $900 per school year on textbooks.

Isn't that crazy? They are, after all, just books. The oldest teaching medium in the world. A tree's worth of paper bound into a hardback cover.

But, here's the thing about textbooks: they don't need to cost you $900.

There are a couple different ways you can approach textbook buying for college. Each has its pros and cons.

Option One -- Buy from the Campus Bookstore

Buying your textbooks straight from the campus bookstore has some definite advantages.

• You'll get the right books. Your teachers have selected the books specifically for you to buy from the bookstore, so there will be no confusion over whether you have the right edition or not.
• It's easy. Your bookstore is right on campus. You can charge your books right on your student account. Which brings me to...
• Buying on your student account. When you do your financial aid, make sure to tell your officer to factor in bookstore charges into your overall tuition fees so that you have enough money on your account to cover your books. For students who rely on scholarships and student loans, buying your textbooks with your student account is a good idea. Then you won't be paying out of pocket cash for your books.
• Return policies for your campus bookstore are usually pretty lenient. That way, in case your professor decides you don't need that other $150.00 literature textbook, you can return it with ease.

Option Two -- Used, used, used!

Buying used textbooks is far cheaper, but requires a lot more work on your part.

• You'll have to contact your professors directly. Once you know your schedule and who will be teaching you, you'll want to e-mail or call them ASAP in order to get the textbook names and ISBN numbers from them. Keep in mind that your teachers may decide they don't need a certain textbook once classes start, or that they may change the textbook altogether at the last minute before the first day of classes.
  
• Check the Internet or local used textbook stores. This will be long and arduous work. Sometimes it's hard to find the specific textbook your professors suggests. Additionally, some textbooks aren't any cheaper even when they are used because it's a new edition.
  
• Go paperback. If you have a choice between paperback books and hardback books, always choose paperback. They are much more inexpensive. Keep in mind, though, that if you want to sell your books back, you won't get as much money for paperback editions.

Have any more questions about textbooks? E-mail me at jwile[at]cuc.edu.

Labels: Jaclyn Wile, student blog