Alternatives to purchasing books can save you a quick buck

BY BRENNON DIXON

TIMES STAFF

Step on crack, break your mother’s back; purchase that textbook, GO BROKE!

Community Colleges are supposed to be cheaper than four-year universities, but that certainly does not apply here.

According to the sjcc.edu Financial Aid award information document, books and supplies will cost $1,746 for the average full-time student during an academic year. This cost is higher than both the tuition and fees and personal expense estimations.

The cost of books breaks the bank of many students every semester and it often seems like it is all for naught after the semester is over.

Some classes require multiple textbooks, others require one that cost upwards of hundreds of dollars, while the rest require the new version of the book that you won’t use but once or twice throughout the semester.

There are some teachers who take the costs of books into consideration and allow students to get older versions. If you’re really lucky a teacher might opt not to have a book, and will instead pass out or email a packet.

Emphasize on the lucky, because students do not know the required texts when signing up for classes.
For the unlucky students who are forced to pay for the ridiculous cost of textbooks, you are urged to seek out the alternatives that are available to you when getting those books for your classes.

The first thing you should do is make sure the book is necessary. Sometimes teachers change their minds on books or decide they do not need the book at all. Do not be the student that gets stuck with an unreturnable book because the book is not required to pass.

If the book is absolutely required to get that A that you want, then check to find a rental online. These are sometimes cheaper than buying the book and you can vary the length of the rental on many different websites nowadays.

Next, check to see if you are able to download the book. Whether that is an e-book or some other form of downloading, you definitely could save some money with a little searching.

When all else fails and you are really looking to cut back on some money, look to purchase a previous edition on the book. Often times they do not differ too much, and while teachers will sometimes discourage it, it is usually possible to get by with the older version.

The secret, and cheapest, way to save money on textbooks is to go to the library and check out the reserve copy teachers stash in there. You are able to check out the book for two hours and do the necessary reading before returning it. You would never pay a dime and you would be able to do the reading, it is a win-win.

Books are expensive and break the bank of many students every semester. It does not appear that the price of books will be getting any cheaper, neither does it appear that teachers will stop requiring books. Students should look for alternative ways to get access to the books they need without harming their grade and wallets.

Do not make the mistake many make every semester by purchasing your books full price at the book store, you’ll thanks us for saving you the money later.