Because of the high cost of university-level material, purchasing college textbooks can be a source of frustration and stress for many students. Although a single book may not be prohibitively expensive, students may find purchasing multiple books for various classes to be financially draining. Despite this, there are a number of ways for a student to save money on college textbooks. Students can save money on textbooks by shopping wisely, purchasing used books, renting or borrowing reading material, or sharing a book with a classmate.
To begin saving money on college textbooks, a student must learn how to shop wisely and effectively. For example, students can look for coupons or discounts that can be used on books prior to the start of the semester on the Internet or in bookstores, because some sellers have deals specifically for students. Furthermore, it is recommended that a student waits until after the first class to purchase a textbook for a course. Though purchasing textbooks ahead of time may seem appealing, it can be detrimental to a student if he or she decides to drop the course or if the professor announces a change in books during the first class period.
Students can also save money on college textbooks by purchasing used books whenever possible. Many students prefer used textbooks, and most campus bookstores will have several copies available. You can also buy used books on the internet. Despite the fact that used textbooks are frequently battered and contain notes and markings from previous owners, they are generally in good enough condition to be used again, and they are significantly less expensive than new books.
Students can also save money on textbooks by renting or borrowing them. If a student does not want to buy a book, several campus bookstores offer affordable and discounted rental options. A person can also rent books online from specialty websites or buy a digital copy of a book that is only available for a limited time. Another option is to borrow books from a campus or public library, which allows the student to avoid purchasing a book entirely. Textbooks that are frequently used in common courses are frequently duplicated in college libraries.
Finally, sharing a book with classmates is a great way to save money on college textbooks and can be done in a variety of ways. A small group of students, for example, could agree to split the cost of a book and then rotate it among themselves. Another option is for one person to purchase the book and then loan it out to classmates for a fee determined at his or her discretion.