[minwoogrl]

I'm starting school on Monday but I haven't bought my textbooks yet because I'm still unsure of what I should get. My professors posted a list of books but I don't think I'll be needing ALL of them. But then I do want to go to class on Monday without any books. Is it okay to be unprepared? So should I wait until school starts before I start buying my books or should I just buy all of them now? What do you guys usually do? I don't want to spend $1000 on books that I don't need.

[Brusky]

the safe way to do it would to buy all the recommended books and bring'em to class unopened. if you actually need it, you'll have it, and if you find you don't need it, you can always return it.

[felinius]

the safe way to do it would to buy all the recommended books and bring'em to class unopened. if you actually need it, you'll have it, and if you find you don't need it, you can always return it.

Aghhh! That's the expensive way.

What I do is just get the books anyways. The books can help for studying in a class even if they're not required. I wouldn't buy them from a bookstore though ... for cheapest prices just go online or just rent it from places like chegg.com.

[shortnsweet]

I think it's best to buy the books after school starts. It's Ok if you don't have all your books on the first day because most of lecture will consist of the professor going over the syllabus and they will say which books you need to buy.

[josebiwasabi]

other than freshmen, no one has all of their books purchased by the first day of school.

[rubyx]

buy the books you think you will need after the first day, when you get the syllabus. more likely than not, you WILL need every book, unless it's listed as "optional."

[Xiaoba1tu]

I'm starting school on Monday but I haven't bought my textbooks yet because I'm still unsure of what I should get. My professors posted a list of books but I don't think I'll be needing ALL of them. But then I do want to go to class on Monday without any books. Is it okay to be unprepared? So should I wait until school starts before I start buying my books or should I just buy all of them now? What do you guys usually do? I don't want to spend $1000 on books that I don't need.

On the booklist there should be an indication somewhere whether the text is optional or essential.
I just buy the essential ones, but usually after the orientation session for that unit because they'll tell you which ones you should buy.

[RedSprouts]

Typically the first day of class is very easy where the professor goes over the syllabus and talks more about the class. You probably won't need your books immediately on the first day of class. If you're looking to save some money, this article gives some great tips.

[xx_swit_c_xx]

Eh. I always find it to be smarter to buy ALL your books weeks before school starts. At least for my school, the earlier you go the better prices you can find cuz it's first come first serve on the 'Used' books vs. the 'new' more EXPENSIVE ones. So basically what I'm saying is.. if you're slow compared to all your classmates.. then they might have already gotten the better deals.

Also, you can look online for cheaper deals than your school's bookstore... But 99% of the time all the books that are listed as required are literally REQUIRED and the teachers don't just poof change their mind on the first day and make it optional. If there are like side books that are "RECOMMENDED" to buy don't buy those.. most of the time you can get by without buying those. Share with a friend and save money maybe =)

And also usually the first day of class the professors assign reading from the text (depending on the class) and so you're kinda screwd if you're trying to find books all last minute and stuff u know? =) You don't want a book to be sold out cuz i hear that's a huge pain for the lazy people in the first week of school..........

Good luck!!! =D

[HeartOfRose]

other than freshmen, no one has all of their books purchased by the first day of school.

LOL SO TRUE!

[RE.]

campusi.com

or to the library and check out the book and make photocopies.

[KIM_SAYS:]

other than freshmen, no one has all of their books purchased by the first day of school.

Shush, Joseph. I DO.

Yeah, I usually buy all of my books because they're always listed as "required" in the textbooks link under my schedule. And sometimes they're totally sold out if you wait. Never get the optional books, in my opinion.

I usually buy my books online really early if I'm absolutely sure that I'm going to take that class. Once a book didn't arrive until 2 weeks after school started and we were supposed to have read half of it by then.

[felinius]

other than freshmen, no one has all of their books purchased by the first day of school.

LIES! I'm a junior and I still buy all my books ... then again I'm also a tard and I need that extra help.

[grainsofrain]

i know that some professors note text as 'required' but it really isn't required. that's how i wasted money before.

now i learned that i'll buy textbooks that i'm positive that i'll use and wait on the rest for later.

that might be harder if you buy books from other people and decide to meet up or online cus you have to wait for shipping.

[yuiyean]

You guys must be damn rich or afraid of getting sued. I don't buy real text book. I copied them from the library or during my exam week...but then again most of my course involves talking and writing proposal only.

[SouthernBelle82]

It just depends on the school. At mine the first week is just to get introduced and all that. Plus, people wait for financial aide to get their books so we wait until after Labor day to start classes. If you want you can always ask your professor(s) you don't want to spend money you don't need to. Also, at my school the last week the book store has it to where you can sell them back.

[VOGUEx]

buy the book the day you have hw in it lols...dont bother on first day..you might drop the class so who knows

[baobao_chan]

I think you may wait for a while and it's not necessary to buy those textbook asap. From my experience, some textbooks you buy it may never be used.

[SouthernBelle82]

I think you may wait for a while and it's not necessary to buy those textbook asap. From my experience, some textbooks you buy it may never be used.

Right. I had US History II and got the book and we never used it. The professor printed out the notes for us and she never addressed the book so it was a waste of money I could've used for something else like maybe new clothes or something.

[LYRA]

Someone recommended me Chegg.com :}
Rent books for cheap!