<p>I am an incoming freshman and I have a few questions about the textbooks.</p>
<p>Can somebody please tell me where I can find the textbooks that I need for the classes that I have signed up for?</p>
<p>Do professors expect you to have your textbooks by the first lecture?</p>
<p>Also, do they require you to buy the textbook, the reader, and all the supplementary materials such as the charts, etc (for example, astronomy, there was a textbook, a reader, and a chart)?</p>
<p>So many questions but I'm really confused and also I dont want to get my textbooks too late!
It seems as if people are even trying to pre-read them before the fall semster starts?!?!?</p>
<p>First Question: The easiest method is using Bearfact’s class schedule thing, which has a link at the bottom which connects to the Cal Student Store’s website and automatically gives you a list of all the books you need for the courses that you have signed up for. You can directly order the books on the website and pick them up in the Cal Student Store on campus (or have them delivered to a specific address).</p>
<p>Alternatively, you could get the books from somewhere else. Simply get the list of books in the same way as mentioned above and then visit Amazon.com or some other third-party bookseller to obtain the books. It’ll be cheaper, but you need to be careful and make sure you are getting the right book.</p>
<p>Many classes will also require a “reader,” which is essentially a supplemental textbook designed by the professor that contains material customized for his/her course. You pretty much have to get this on campus or around campus since they’re generally offered only by local printers/bookstores.</p>
<p>Second Question: Generally, no. However, there are some exceptions (I think the Econ 1 professor expects you to do some summer reading).</p>
<p>Third Question: Readers are generally required if mentioned. Charts are largely optional.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, n99127! How do we know whether classes require a reader or not? I do plan to purchase my books online, but I would prefer that everything is correct.</p>
<p>You could ask the professor directly if the class requires a reader or look on the course syllabus if it is already available. Most of the time, though, you won’t be able to get the readers until school starts anyways, so I would just wait until the first day of class.</p>
<p>I was planning to purchase textbooks prior to the semester in order to have them the first day. Would you recommend waiting the first day and then purchase the textbooks?</p>
<p>If you are sure that you are going to attend the class then you should definitely go ahead and order the textbook. If not, then you should probably hold off. Either way, its a safe bet that you need to have your textbook for most classes by the end of the first week of class or at the start of the second week of class though.</p>
<p>If you will or might use amazon.com for some textbook purchases, look at their “amazon student” program. It is free and gives students no charge two-day express shipping for any amazon-fullfilled item - those listed as “prime eligible”. Overnight shipping is only 3.99 per object. You get a free year of their prime program, which otherwise costs $79 per year. </p>
<p>that way you can buy books very close to the beginning of the semester when the list is really final.</p>
<p>Sortof related- is the only way to get the syllabus ahead of time by emailing the prof? I’ve looked on the latin studies website and can’t find it anywhere</p>
<p>So then what do you do that first week? Are there official lectures/assignments or what? Also, the first day of class (Thursday) I have a math discussion group, should I go though the class hasn’t even met yet?</p>
<p>Most classes will give you a week’s time to get your books, so any assignments or readings will probably be given to you on bspace or whatnot. Attend all of your discussion sections even if you haven’t met for lecture UNLESS you are notified that you shouldn’t.(through email etc…)</p>
<p>Piggybacking on this topic — does anyone know what’s gonna happen with comegetused? It used to be my best friend, but now it’s having server issues and whatnot and I can’t even do a simple search.</p>
<p>The Amazon often has better prices for new books than Ned’s does for used books. Also, if your class doesn’t assign homework out of the book, you can probably use your parents’ or siblings’ textbooks.</p>
<p>Don’t buy books before the semester starts. Professors nearly always talk about the books on the first day of class and tell you what’s really required and what’s just recommended/supplementary. Most classes have lecture based exams anyway.</p>
<p>And don’t think you can just sell back your book when you’re done with the class - a lot of times new editions of books come out and stores only offer you like $10 for a book you bought for $180.</p>