<p>Does anyone know when we find out what books are needed for each class? Since they are already registered for their classes after orientation how do we get the information on the books?</p>
<p>If you go on VIP, there is a section under the “Academics” link that says “Show me Bookstore” and then you choose the semester, Fall 2009. You can click on that link and pre-order your books for your classes. Your classes that you registered for will appear with the books the professor has chosen. You can indicate whether you prefer new or used, optional materials or required, etc. The bookstore will box them up for you and then you pick them up during welcome week. They usually have a big tent outside and you just walk up and show your Carolina card and get your box of materials. Some students, of course, wait until after they attend the first class session to see if they might be dropping, changing sections, etc. Then they just go to the bookstore to buy them, where the books are shelved by course. My son always bought them online through VIP. It will be charged to your Carolina card, and you have to make sure that you put enough money on your card to cover the cost of the books. The books can be pretty high - we have always had to pay over $500 per semester, and one time it ran about $750, including books that were used.</p>
<p>the easiest way for an entering freshman to get their books is by using the reserve system through the Bookstore on VIP.That way the package will be waiting for pickup.
That said, after his first semester S never used the reserve system again.after he was familiar with the lay of the land, he has used a combo of ordering online, buying used from other students,using library reserve,using different local bookstores,etc.
But for the first semester, the campus bookstore package deal works out great!</p>
<p>The bookstore’s packaged deal is convenient and easy, particularly for a freshman, but I’d caution against it. You’ll come to the realization that you never need all the books assigned for a given semester, and even if you do need them, they’re way overpriced at the bookstore. I only use the on campus bookstore for last minute, emergency book purchases. For the most part, you can get them way cheaper online. You almost never need the most recent edition of a book, but they don’t sell older ones in the bookstore. Go one edition back and that will knock 20 or 30 dollars off the price easily. Also, check the library. They have older editions of a lot of books, and, with enough renewals, you can basically check out a book for the whole semester. Or if it’s a book that seems to be necessary but not used constantly, you can split the cost and share with someone else in your class. Very few classes will require the book the first week, so you usually have time to do some research and order online. It might be more difficult, but it will save a lot of money and make you feel way less cheated.</p>
<p>My S had said that someone at orientation told him to hold off until he attends his first class to order any books for the very reasons that you mentioned. It made me a little nervous, I wanted to make sure he would have everything he would need but we have bought textbooks online before and I think you are right they are far less expensive than the bookstore. I guess we’ll take your advice and wait it out to be sure we don’t purchase more than he needs. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>mekimber
he reason I agreed the package deal for an entering freshman works is exactly that “nervous factor” you mentioned…both on the part of the parent and the student.
It makes the parent feel good knowing the student is set with all the books,it may make the new student less nervous as well.
If you have a particularly confident kid, using the combo of other resources works just as well and usually cheaper!!
Does anyone know if the bookstore takes back books from the package if the professor drops it from their syllabus ?</p>
<p>Yes, I believe they do take them back. Also, my s dropped one class and added another before the semester began, and they changed his package order for him.</p>
<p>You can get a full refund up to the class drop date, which is about a week after classes starts.</p>
<p>We’ve been doing some poking around on the internet and found 4 of the six books that my S will need for significantly less $$. The problem I’m having is that the 2 Chemistry books don’t give enough info on the books to search them. Any Idea how we can see the exact name of the books and not the “Chemistry 111/112 package” that it is referred to on the “Buy it from the Bookstore” list?</p>
<p>Try looking at one of the other bookstores. scbookstore.com doesn’t have the lists up for Fall yet, but you can try Addam’s bookstore. I’m not sure what the URL is. Both bookstores are within walking distance of campus. If that doesn’t work, I’ll see if I can find someone who took the class to find out what’s in the package.</p>
<p>i would strongly suggest waiting for the first week of classes before purchasing books. half of the $100+ books you will buy, you 'need & cannot return for full refund. I usually buy my books the 2nd week of classes and am able to avoid lines and buying books that i won’t use. I suggest Addams bookstore as well…they also give you the most money when selling back your books (I made $240 for 4 books which is UNHEARD of!)</p>
<p>sorry i meant <em>**half of the $100+ books you will buy, you WONT need </em></p>
<p>Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but how do you know if you will actually need the books after only 2 weeks of classes? Does the instructor actually tell you??</p>
<p>Ive had teachers straight up tell me that you dont need a book and its only on their because the the department head makes them put it on. Others times I see that there is no need for the book with no homework comming from it or it having no relation to the course and what is being taught</p>
<p>on the syllabus if there is no required reading or the prof provides all the notes then you usuallly wont need the book. other teachers will tell u that they give u notes but take a lot of extra test material out of books. and rate my professor website sometimes students will say “tests come straight from book.” its usually pretty easy to tell after meeting the teacher though</p>