Originally published September 17, 2008
Every semester starts with a depressing wallet-lightening trip to the bookstore. Textbooks can soak up, on average, $700 to $1,000 per student, per semester, according to the Los Angeles Times.
These outrageous costs have recently caused Congress to pass the Higher Education Act as an attempt to ease our bi-yearly checkbook woes.
Even with the aid of Congress, textbook prices are high, especially when they are new and professors seemingly always require the newest edition.
There is something nostalgic about joining the crowds in the bookstore, searching for your books and then waiting in line for, well, let’s just say, awhile -- but it’s not for everyone.
However, in the past few years, students’ textbook options have broadened. Since I have been in the business of college for, well, let’s just say, awhile, I will once again attempt to pass on my textbook-buyin’ advice.
Obviously, there’s the University Bookstore, where used copies and new copies live at high prices. And a few used bookstores around Long Beach that can offer a price relief, that is, if they have the book you are looking for. It can be tricky trying to find a book you need at an off-campus bookstore, but worth the try.
An advantage of buying from the campus bookstore is the option of selling back the books for gum money at the end of the semester. But when it comes to selling books back, my advice is to compare on and off campus bookstores, because sometimes off-campus bookstores will pay more.
Through my poorest college years, I spent many hours in the library, photocopying. Many professors have required books on reserve in the library, so all you have to do is pop in with a pocket full of change and make friends with the copy machine. Photocopying can add up, but most classes don’t use a textbook from cover to cover, so you can consider photocopying as paying for the book page by page.
I have also purchased my textbooks online from discount websites like textbooks.com, cheapesttextbooks.com and many, many more. These websites boast 90-95 percent discounts and for the most part, you can find what you’re looking for. However, if you go this route I suggest logging on early to buy your books, otherwise you may find yourself a couple of weeks into a class without the book.
The latest in textbook technology is electronic textbooks. Websites like ecampus.com offer digital textbooks or eTextbooks. This option allows you a downloadable or online version. Both have electronic note-taking and search abilities, but your access to the book is limited to 180-360 days, depending on how many semesters you are going to use the book for.
Access is limited and there is not a sell-back option, but eTextbooks are cheaper than a new, physical copy of a book.
If the text you’re looking for is listed on Napster-esc, scribd.com or bitme.org you may be able to download it or view it for free, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Library photocopying and eTextbooks are good for classes you’re taking to just take, but I suggest buying and keeping most of the required books for classes that pertain to your major. I have found it helpful to be able to look something up from books of classes past.
Whatever you decide, get the textbook if your class requires it. There is no point in being here if you’re not going to arm yourself with the material needed for success.
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