<p>Thread for all general and specific questions about textbooks, if you'd like.</p>
<p>My very basic ones.. :
How do we know which books we need for our classes?
Is there a specific time period in which we need to buy these books?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Go here and search by class: Welcome</a> to Barnes & Noble @ the University of Michigan*Bookstore</p></li>
<li><p>I don't think so as long as you get them before the first book assignments are due</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My questions:</p>
<p>How important are the study guides? Specifically, for freshman physics. I have the textbook and solution manual, but not the study guide. I don't even know what the study guide is. Also, what is "mastering physics" all about? Is it required for class?</p>
<p>Mastering Physics is the online system that you use to do homework. Unless you want to give up 10-20% of your grade, it's required.</p>
<p>rkbgt - thanks! i've been to that site before but some sections arent listed, such as my section for english125, while others are. does that mean there's no textbook required?</p>
<p>No, that means that the section hasn't been posted on the site and that you should probably visit the bookstore in person.</p>
<p>Don't forget that a lot of books, especially in the humanities, are sold at Shaman Drum, not the Michigan Union / Ulrich's / Michigan Book & Supply.</p>
<p>the different online bookstores give me different lists of books i need for my classes........ how do i know which one's the right one?</p>
<p>^ I'm wondering about that, too. I tried Ulrich's and Barnes & Noble and got different lists. </p>
<p>Is there a bookstore that is known for better prices? Ulrich's seems to be higher than Barnes & Noble overall, but B & N does not give the availability of used books, so if all the used books are gone, the prices for new books would be much higher than buying some used at Ulrich's.</p>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Usually you can get your books for much less than bookstore prices at the Student Book Exchange, which is held during the first week of classes. I got books that would have cost $150 new for $50, and they were in nearly perfect condition.</p>
<p>If you have to have Mastering Physics or a similar online homework, you can buy the book used but then purchase the online code for $40 or so...this can save you some money since the book + code is about $120. </p>
<p>If you are going to buy used books, avoid the bookstores. They once charged me $90 for a used math book in poor condition and $40 for a new solution guide for it. After I bought it, I realized that a new book and solution guide in a bundle cost $130...so they basically ripped me off.</p>
<p>Also, look around online and in your dorm for your books. A lot of times people will post books they are looking to sell on facebook or in public areas of the dorm. You can also check out listings from people at other schools on amazon and ebay. </p>
<p>I found the study guide for Physics 240 to be useful...it explained things in a simpler and more concise way than the book and had useful examples that were easy to follow. I am actually looking to sell mine since I am done with physics...PM me if you are interested.</p>
<p>You should only use those book store sites to figure out which book you need and then get it elsewhere. I got my calculus book brand new off of Amazon for $30. It retails for $120 and the used book is $90. I downloaded my physics book off the internet for FREE. Now I just need to get a Mastering Physics subscription and I'm set for the semester. $70. </p>
<p>One note on the physics book: Where there's a will, there's a way. That's all I'm going to say.</p>