Ok, so, my classes begin September 5th. There is an online system with the bookstore at my school where you can enter the exact class and they tell you the necessary textbooks. How far in advance can I order my books? Should I wait until classes start, will I be expected to have the book on the first day of class,etc.? (I really dont know what I’m doing haha)
You should try to have your books by the first day. You can try to find them cheaper on Amazon or elsewhere. But sometimes you need to buy a book that includes a special code for an online program, and if so buying used might not work. The course syllabus would explain this.
Also, you typically don’t have to bring the book to class on the first day.
^^You don’t, but in my experience I’ve almost always had the first reading due on the second class. Because of this, I prefer to buy my textbooks ASAP even if it means spending more money on a book I may not even touch (which I think is the main benefit of waiting).
You should also check to see if there’s a student book exchange group on facebook- my university has one and a lot of students tend to resell for really cheap prices. There’s also no shipping costs or tax involved that way.
What I usually do is email the professors about which textbook I need and if they are okay with the book being a different cheaper edition (if it is okay), rented or as a kindle (some times cheaper). This way they will let me know if I even need a book at all so I don’t waste money on anything that isn’t needed.
I still end up having the textbook ready for the first day of class (not typically needed unless it is a science or math class) and maybe I save money. This is what I am doing for this semester. I’ll order mine next week.
Just came back from orientation where they said DO NOT buy ahead, sometimes profs do not use the textbook listed with the course. I have 2 in college, and one just completed a class with no textbook, only prof handouts. Most books that are purchased by my older son, are electronic, so you can download immediately when confirmed to need them.
Don’t buy anything until after your first class OR after you’ve discussed with people who’ve taken the class. If you can get a textbook as a pdf beforehand, go for it; doesn’t hurt. However, buying a $200+ book when you won’t use it kinda sucks. You can always buy or rent your textbook on campus. Typically, you can find (most) Math and Science textbooks online.
I also purchase textbooks far in advance - I like having first pick on used textbooks at the bookstore, or being able to order books online that have long shipping estimates. My bookstore allows book returns until the the end of the first week, so I never worry about needlessly purchasing a book (except for online), which rarely happens anyway. I’ve also had classes with readings due the very first day, so I prefer to get them ahead.
However, it will not be the end of the world if you get books after the first class or two - many people do the same, and I’ve never seen any serious repercussions due to late textbook acquisition. It’s all just preference and circumstance.
I never bought my books from the bookstore - even used, it was way more expensive than finding used (or international editions) online.
I started out buying all my books well ahead of time, but after being burned a couple of times by a book turning out to not be necessary or required for the course (combined with the general tendencies of being an upperclassman), I started buying the books later, generally around the first week of classes.