<p>So i guess most upperclassmen buy used books from their friends or get them cheap offline. but since i am going to be a freshman, and i dont know anyone who goes to grinnell yet, i guess i will probably be stuck buying them full price from the bookstore (used at the least). </p>
<p>i was just wondering how you would buy your books offline (as an upperclassmen, or as a freshman) since you register for classes on a wednesday, and then classes start the next day (thurs). how would you know what book to order in advance (especially if you werent sure you would get into a certain class)?</p>
<p>also, when do most people buy their books if they get them from the bookstore? it seems like a LOT of people would rush in on the wednesday we register for classes if class starts the next day (?). or do you not typically need them for the first day of classes?</p>
<p>thanks for any clarification</p>
<p>The uncertainty of what classes you're getting really makes buying books off the Internet impossible unless you're willing to wait. Fortunately, waiting isn't all that bad. Many books you won't need until much later on in the semester. You can figure out which ones aren't immediately needed by looking at the syllabus. You can also even just go to class without books, as I've done, while they're being shipped.</p>
<p>Some students will buy books from the college and return them once the books they've ordered online arrive. This practice is frowned upon; it's also risky, especially if you treat your book carelessly and make it ineligible for a return.</p>
<p>Also, soon after classes start there's a major book sale organized by the SGA. You can often buy books for cheap then.</p>
<p>Another way to get books is to advertise on campus by putting up posters. I've heard this usually gets good results, but I've always been too lazy to try this.</p>