<p>I am an incoming freshman and I am deciding whether I should buy introductory chem, math, and english books from upperclassmen. An issue with this is getting an older edition, but is that a major problem? Is the Chem 142 goggles, lab coat, lab manual, and lab notebook for 55 bucks worth it?</p>
<p>The lab manual will probably be outdated and you’ll need a new one. You might need a new lab notebook too since they’re consumable. Everything else isn’t a bad deal.</p>
<p>If you take chem you need the lab stuff. You HAVE to buy their lab notebook (this will last you past chem142 though). </p>
<p>If its eng111 or 131, I never read the book and still got a 4.0. I doubt they change anything in the math book other than the practice problems, but you will be busy doing the homework problems online anyways. I feel that chem is the same.</p>
<p>Edit: Some people tell me you dont need textbook for math and chem. On the contrary, I feel you need to if you want that 4.0.</p>
<p>Math and chem textbooks are dry, confusing, and mostly useless. The only time I opened them was for the practice problems. I suppose in that regard, they are a worthwhile investment.</p>