When preparing for college, one of the first things you need to consider is books. Should you buy them in advance or wait until class starts? The right time to buy actually depends on a few factors.
Have You Received Your Required Materials List?
After you’ve chosen your classes for the upcoming semester, your university will send you a list of the textbooks you’ll need to buy. Never assume this list will be the same as in previous semesters — it’s worth waiting to receive an updated list to avoid wasting money. Plus, bear in mind that if some of the required readings for your course are just a few pages in a book, your professors may provide you with digital copies. This will save you from needing to buy the book at all. If you have any doubts about what you need to buy (such as the right edition of a book), reach out to your professors for confirmation.
Do You Need to Complete Readings Before the Class?
One reason to buy books before class is because you’re expected to do some reading beforehand. You may even need to complete an assignment in time for your first class.
Should You Buy Books at All?
Some students decide to wait and see if they’ll need a book before they decide to buy. This is because professors may barely use some of the books included on the syllabus. However, waiting is a risky move: trying to share with a friend, managing without a book, or purchasing at the last minute will only lead to stress and make studying more difficult than it needs to be. If you want to save money, some better options are to rent the textbooks you need, buy used books, or sell your books once the course is over.
Should You Rent Textbooks?
The main benefit of borrowing textbooks is you’ll pay around 10 to 30 percent of the price of a new book. Make sure you read the fine print carefully, though: if you’re unable to return your book by the specified date, you may incur late fines and you won’t save as much as you initially expected. For instance, if the contract allows you to have the book for a set number of days, you may need to start renting the book around the day your class starts.
A downside of renting is you’re unable to highlight or otherwise annotate the text, which may be problematic if you like this study style. It also means you’ll be unable to refer back to the book at a later date. Although this is less necessary when textbooks are for electives, you may find books for your core classes are useful throughout your studies.
Can You Find Used Textbooks?
You may be able to purchase used textbooks from students who have just finished the class you’re about to take. You’ll likely pay around 50 percent of a new book, and there’s no requirement to keep the books in good condition. Of course, you will need to check that the student who had the book before you didn’t fill it with notes that could be distracting or unhelpful to you. It’s also important to make sure it’s the same version as the one your class requires; otherwise, you could have difficulty following the correct page numbers for reading assignments.
If you do decide you’d prefer to purchase used textbooks, it’s worth starting your search before your class begins. This will put you at an advantage over other students who are looking for the same textbooks. Demand may be higher than supply, which could mean there will only be a few books left or you’ll need to pay more if you wait too long.
No matter how and when you acquire your books, it can be challenging to study if you’re sharing a room on campus. A much better option is a 1-bedroom apartment. Ottawa students can find fully-furnished private apartments in three different floor plans at 1Eleven student housing. Apply now while leases are still available.