<p>I've heard many different things about about buying books.
Some people are saying wait till school starts to buy, and some people have already started purchasing their books.
Should I just wait until school starts to buy my books and does anyone have any recommendations as to where I should buy them from?</p>
<p>Most of the time you can find your books online at much cheaper prices than those at the UVa bookstore. The benefit of buying from the bookstore is that if you decide that you want to drop a class for a different one after school has started (because you didn’t like the professor, the workload, the time, etc etc), getting a refund for your books from the old class and buying the new books for the new class is a simple walk to the campus bookstore that will help you to not fall behind in your work. So personally, my advice is to buy books online at cheaper prices for classes that you know you will take no matter what (if they’re part of your major or whatever), and if you can spare the extra money, wait to buy books for classes you’re not 100% sure about at the bookstore for the return convenience in case you end up changing your mind.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply.
And whats the deal with the books listed as optional? Are they worth getting?</p>
<p>Yeah no problem!
As far as optional books, when I’ve encountered them they were just good supplementary reading that the professor wouldn’t necessarily test on but recommended as it might help students understand the material better. They’re enjoyable if you’re passionate about the class subject matter. As for myself, I usually get the optional books to get the full experience of the class, but if they’re optional that typically means they’re not tested on, so it’s up to you. For peace of mind you could always email the professor to ask them what their intentions are for the optional books; just be sure you frame the question as a new student trying to figure out the unfamiliar concept of optional books rather than a student who is trying to figure out if they can get out of any work, if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>I can’t remember the last time I read an optional book. I just don’t have the time.</p>
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<p>Also, skip the bookstore and buy your textbooks online. You’ll save hundreds.</p>
<p>I would not suggest buying optional books, assigned books are more than sufficient for success in any class. I have had professors list upwards of 20 optional books on the syllabus, and that is just not feasible. I buy about half of my books from the bookstore (complete rip but convenient) and the more expensive books I get from amazon. I usually buy books first day of classes, in case I don’t like what I am hearing and want to drop or switch.</p>