Are the study aids must-haves?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>I am currently looking for the textbooks and wondering whether or not I should buy those books listed as "study aids" on the book list provided by the campus bookstore.</p>

<p>It's probably better to have them, but how much are they actually going to help? And are the profs going to refer to these study aids once in a while? Since even the used copies of these study aids cost quite a bit, I really want to think about it before buying them all.</p>

<p>My study aids listed are:</p>

<p>Essential Calculus Solution Manual, ISBN 9780495014294 </p>

<p>Organic Chemistry Study Guide+ Solution Manual, ISBN 9780470050989 (and this is the more expensive one, even the cheapest one I found cost around 40 bucks, more expensive than a used textbook!)</p>

<p>Thanks a million for your suggestions!</p>

2

<p>Don’t get them! You will have plenty of real-person help, including your TAs, academic development, and your peers. I think you’d never have a chance to open them.</p>

3

<p>I took Orgo and I didn’t use the organic chemistry study guide book, but I heard it helped. Although nothing beats the good old textbook.</p>

4

<p>Do not buy any study aids. They are pretty much a waste of money.</p>

<p>Heck, I’m to the point that I ask whether or not I even to need to buy textbooks. So far, I’ve had 3 classes that required textbooks but never really used them since teacher’s often have lecture notes and other means to help you learn.</p>