It’s that time of year again: the time where every student is rushing to get their textbooks. Buying textbooks can be tricky business, and nearly every student has had a textbook nightmare that they can recall and never want to live through again, be it paying for an overpriced book that you only used once or searching for your textbooks and finding them unavailable or sold out. Luckily, there are a few other options that may help students avoid all that stressful textbook trauma.
Check out your local libraries
Depending on what courses you are taking, there might be a couple of books on the requirement list that aren’t really textbooks. They’re 100-page booklets, a few short novels or how-to’s used for supplemental reading. Before you spend extra money on these types of books, check the Alvin Sherman Library or other libraries in your area to see if they have it in their inventory or are able to order it from another library nearby. Sometimes, libraries may have what you’re looking for, especially if the book is on the older side. You may find yourself getting lucky and instead of paying $75 for a brand new copy, only paying $5 for a library card. If you’re really lucky, you may even get it for free.
Try different websites
While everyone seems to immediately jump to Amazon or the NSU Bookstore to buy their textbooks, it may be possible to find the same book for a better price. Websites such as ThriftBooks or Better World Books are quite helpful. You might be able to find your same textbook that has been used once or twice, with a few stains or premade highlights, for much cheaper than if you were to buy or rent them brand new.
Ask your professors
Sometimes, professors may be using books they’ve written for the course you are taking. Even if they didn’t write the book, I’ve had several professors have leftover copies or older editions of the textbook they’re using. If your professor lets the class know that they have extras or you think they might know where to find the textbook for a little less money, don’t be afraid to stay after class to ask them or send them an email.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your upperclassmen
The truth is, upperclassmen probably don’t want their old textbooks that they’ve bought unless they’re continuing the class. Big chunky textbooks are more of a burden than they are an advantage to students who don’t need them anymore. Upperclassmen understand the struggle and many are more than willing to resell their textbook to incoming students or underclassmen. If you know someone in your major or anyone who has taken the same class before, it’s worth a shot to ask them if they still have their textbook and if they’d be willing to sell it.
