<p>So, I have my class schedule, and I know I need books for each class, but how do I get them and when?
Do I wait until the first day of class, and my professors will tell me which books to get, or is there a way to find out what I need beforehand?
I know I should get used books, but from where. I'm afraid time is running out for cheap books.</p>
<p>There is indeed a way to figure out what books you need beforehand.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.ucsbstuff.com/SiteText.aspx?id=4388]UCSBStuff.com[/url”>http://www.ucsbstuff.com/SiteText.aspx?id=4388]UCSBStuff.com[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Just put in what subject, then what class, and it´ll list all the materials you need to buy. You can buy them from the bookstore, or alternatively you can try to find them cheaper somewhere else.</p>
<p>Here are some websites you can try to <em>buy</em> books on the cheap:</p>
<ol>
<li> [Amazon.com[/url</a>]</li>
<li> [url=<a href=“http://www.half.com%5DHalf.com%5B/url”>http://www.half.com]Half.com[/url</a>]</li>
<li> [url=<a href=“http://www.ebay.com%5DeBay%5B/url”>http://www.ebay.com]eBay[/url</a>] (not always good but sometimes you get lucky)</li>
<li> [url=<a href=“http://www.bestbookbuys.com%5DBestbookbuys.com%5B/url”>http://www.bestbookbuys.com]Bestbookbuys.com[/url</a>] (compares prices from multiple sites)</li>
</ol>
<p>Also, look into [url=<a href=“http://www.chegg.com%5DChegg.com”>http://www.chegg.com]Chegg.com</a>](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com%5DAmazon.com%5B/url”>http://www.amazon.com). It’s a book <em>rental</em> site that provides really good rates. Just make sure that you return the rented books on time to avoid additional charges.</p>
<p>Or you can buy from the school’s bookstore directly. You can do this online and have your books waiting for you when you move in or wait until you get to school and buy the books in person. But I would try to avoid the later, as it will be crowded.</p>
<p>Online buying tip # 1: Check the seller’s shipping method before buying!..it’s getting close to the first day of the quarter. “Media mail” can mean that the book won’t arrive up to 4-6 weeks. If you aren’t sure how long it will take for a book to arrive, contact the seller first and ask them if they will guarantee shipment by a certain date.</p>
<p>Online buying tip # 2: Next quarter, check the school’s bookstore website for your list of textbooks early. The earlier you start shopping, the better deals you get.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>what if the class number isn’t on the official bookstore site? any other places we can look for a book list?</p>
<p>sometimes if it isn’t on the bookstore site it’s because the course doesn’t require a book or that the professor has you get a reader instead of an actual textbook. a reader you can get from either the copy place on campus or in iv, whichever the professor prefers. but usually if a reader is the case, you won’t find out until the first day when you get your syllabus.</p>
<p>An alternative to the UCSB bookstore might be the [Isla Vista Bookstore](<a href=“http://www.ivbooks.com/”>http://www.ivbooks.com/</a>), which is located on Pardell Road near UCSB. You can order the textbook online also from their web page.</p>