Good textbooks don’t come cheap because authors try to pack as much content and colorful illustrations as possible. This approach facilitates easy understanding and memorization of educational material. However, as a result, the cost of printing is becoming very high and the process of producing textbooks more complicated. So, when students go to a bookstore, they see excellent textbooks, which hurt their budget.
Are there strategies that allow you to study with quality textbooks at a low price? Yes, such methods exist, and millions of students use them to save on their academic books.
Twelve Effective Ways to Reduce Textbooks Costs
- Don’t postpone the purchase of study materials until the last minute. Sellers can take advantage of this approach and raise prices before the start of the semester. Follow the exact opposite practice by monitoring discounts, which usually occur when the semester is underway, and the demand for textbooks is falling.
- You may think that the easiest way to buy the books you need is to visit campus stores. However, this is also the most expensive way to get academic literature. It is better to look for textbooks on well-known online bookstores and marketplaces, such as eCampus, BooksRun, eBay textbook, Amazon textbook store, Chegg, etc.
- Also, don’t rush to buy all the books in the first online store you visit. Compare prices and choose the best deals. Use the Bookscouter or BookFinder platforms to save time on research.
- Sell books from previous semesters that you no longer need and use the money to purchase literature for current or future courses.
- Buy used books from students who have already taken this course. Attend student community forums or specialized platforms such as BooksRun to find used books.
- Rent textbooks for the duration of the semester for a small price if you do not care about keeping the book after completing the course.
- See if you can download textbooks from open sources, such as OpenStax, Open Textbook Library, Open Access Textbooks, College Open Textbooks, etc.
- Visit the college or university library to prepare for classes. Thus, you won’t need to buy textbooks at all.
- Share textbooks with friends who are taking the same course. Split the cost of a book, and then take turns getting ready for classes.
- Save on paper editions of textbooks by buying e-textbooks, which are more affordable.
- Find out if your textbooks have older editions. Their prices are lower, which also allows you to save money.
- Become a member of book exchange programs and receive the textbooks you need by offering yours in return.
Increase Your Income to Afford Buying Books
You can also consider different ways to earn additional income. In this case, the high cost of books will not be too disappointing:
- Get a part-time job. It can be on or off campus. Use your summer vacation to earn some money.
- Apply for a scholarship. If you succeed in studying, you have high chances of getting it.
- Take out a student loan that will cover book costs. For example, consider applying for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). You can receive up to $2,500 annually, which will be a sufficient amount to buy textbooks.
Choose the most appropriate saving strategy to ensure you can afford textbooks for all your academic courses or find a suitable way to increase your income. If you use the best textbooks, the educational process will be much more exciting and effective. Usually, students don’t get all the information from lectures and seminars alone, and they get the rest of the knowledge from books.
