Buying Textbooks on The Cheap

by A Guest Author

Textbooks can be one of the most expensive parts of your college education. New books can cost a fortune, and if you have to buy several books each semester, your tab can quickly rack up.

Most college students buy their books from their local bookstore or the campus bookstore. This is convenient option since it's close by and you don't run the risk of not being able to find the books you need. However, if you are looking for a cheaper way to get your books this semester, you have lots of options.

Look Online

There are all kinds of sites that sell used textbooks for a cheaper rate. Do some online searching and find stores that sell the books you need. Be sure to buy from legitimate sites. You can go with big-name websites or you can look for customer reviews to make sure you will get your money's worth.

Last Year's Edition

Many colleges list the most recent edition on their book lists. In some subjects, it won't make a difference if you have the last edition. Past editions of books can be a lot cheaper than the newest edition, so you'll save a lot of money. If you are worried about having the book you need, you can always check with your professor to see if an older edition will work.

Buy and Trade

Some online schools have forums that allow students to buy and trade books with each other. The price is often cheaper than what you find at the bookstore, and you'll most likely get what you need, since you are buying from a fellow students.

Online Editions

Online textbooks are becoming more and more popular. Sometimes, an electronic version of a book is cheaper than the print version. Many online schools offer this option, but you may also be able to get online texts at a traditional campus as well.

The Library

Look over your course syllabus and see how much of you'll be depending on your textbook. If you'll only need it for a few chapters or assignments, you may not need to purchase the book at all. If that's the case, see if your campus library has a copy you can use. Be careful with this strategy though, if there aren't many copies in the library, you may not be able to get your hands on one when you need it, and you may not realize how much you'll actually need your book.

Don't spend an arm and a leg buying textbooks this semester. Before you buy books at full price, look at your options and decide which will be most beneficial for your grades and your wallet.

About the Author

Jill Hardy writes for UniversitiesOnline.net, a website that helps students learn more about what kinds of degrees are available online, from associate's to master's degrees.

This post was written by A Guest Author

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