<p>I wasn't sure where to put this, so I decided that the parents may know. I'll be a sophomore in college in the fall, and this semester, I need far more textbooks than last year. Last year, I spent around $30 for both semesters. This semester alone, I have a book that's upwards of $300, along with five others that I need. I know to look at multiple websites before buying anything, and renting is cheaper than buying, but I've also heard about loose leaf and eBooks. Does anyone know where to buy either of these? Also, is there a huge difference in different editions of textbooks? The $300 book I need is Intro to Spectroscopy - 5th edition. But I found the 4th edition for nearly $280 cheaper. There's a gap of 6 years in between each edition, but still. Thank you for any help in advance!</p>
<p>The problem sets usually change from edition to edition. Last year some of my students managed by using their cellphones to photocopy the problem sets from reserve editions or from a friend. </p>
<p>Did you transfer to a cheaper school?
Since youve been struggling in your major, i wouldnt compromise on materials.
You should be able to find the textbooks usee, but if it is really a problem check with the instructor, as they should know if the edition makes a large difference.</p>
<p>Check with your professor to see if an older edition would be acceptable. It all depends on the book and how your class is going to use it. Sometimes, the textbook is just a reference, while other times you might be tested directly on it or have to do problem sets from it. Sometimes, books change drastically from edition to edition, while sometimes they just change the pictures.</p>
<p>You could also check your school’s library to see if you can borrow some of your books instead of purchasing them. Sometimes, libraries will have course textbooks on reserve to check out for a short period of time, or if you find that an older edition would suffice, you could borrow it from the library instead of purchasing it.</p>
<p>Sound advice from EmeraldKitty and Baktrax.</p>
<p>There are several threads here on CC about less expensive alternatives for textbooks. Lake Jr. is a STEM major and saved a boat load of money last year by purchasing…1) International Editions of U.S. textbooks, and 2) the most recent U.S. edition prior to the current U.S. edition.</p>
<p>As for renting…it has its drawbacks. If the book will be in use over two semesters, the rental cost for each semester is much higher than an outright purchase. Also, some rental outlets, including Amazon, have been known to take their sweet time in validating your return, resulting in erroneous late fees or even a full charge for the book’s retail cost. Finally, even a stray mark on a rental book can result in being charged the full retail cost upon return to the dealer.</p>
<p>DS saved money this summer by borrowing STEM books from his friends.Any chance you know someone that just took the class and wants to hang on to the book?He also has gone the ebook route when he can and at least in one case the book was online for free. I’m not sure of the sites but you should be able to google for them. I’ve taken college classes recently where there is a loose leaf version. I’m really a fan of loose leaf myself but it does usually save some money. </p>
<p>half. com or other amazon sites. My D. (4th year Medical Student) has been using these thru college and Medical School, and some supplies also in addition to books. She always made sure to buy the required edition. Editions maybe very different especially in Biology. </p>
<p>If you get there early enough you can sometimes find the textbooks in the library.</p>
<p>Another option is borrowing from upperclassmen friends who didn’t sell theirs.</p>
<p>Our kids did well renting books from Amazon, especially if it was a course outside their major, where keeping the text afterward was not going to happen. Return postage is paid by amazon.</p>
<p>My oldest majored in biology, and the Ochem book was about $300. Unknown to me at the time, she chose not to buy it and instead borrow a friends/library copy.
She failed the spring final exam, and then took a year off so she could take the class by itself elsewhere.
Its not worth skimping on materials to save a few hundred dollars.
Work more in the summer/ during the school year, and find used books at Powells or Amazon if you cant find them on campus.</p>