as just an example:
- bought math textbook for $149.00 from local, non-campus bookstore
- use book exactly once to re-verify method of operations given by the professor, and discovered that the book and the professor did not sync.
- all homework was done online, using internet software included with the purchase of my book (or I could have bought online access for $50 by itself, which I discovered too late)
- book sat as a very expensive, very effective paperweight.
- book left my house finally, on my way to the same bookstore to sell back.
- offered $51 by the same bookstore I bought it from.

 

Yep, I learned that lesson after my first semester in university. I did the last three and a half years without buying a single textbook, except in one where we were required (the author was the professor, and he assigned work out of the book....).

sosmath.com had enough coverage for about two years of an electrical/computer engineering degree's math and it was easy enough to find all the other info elsewhere on the internet.

 

The biggest joke is when they make some minor changes to create a new edition so your previous edition is worthless.

 

that actually happened with my history book. I bought a previous generation cheap on craigslist when I found out the new edition is simply rearranged with a new cover, but in the same words.

 

did you return the software that came with the book also?

 

I had a statistics course where the textbook was on its 10th edition or something, and a friend had a 1st edition copy from ~50 years earlier. They were identical with a different font and different layout.

 

I used the wrong term. it was more an access code.

 

Yeah, when you buy the book you get the access code for one semester (or two if it's a two semester course), zip. and that's it. Can't be re-used, etc.

I bought a $200 accounting book for two semesters of accounting--every year they upgrade the book, so it's worth about $5...

I spend about $1000-1500 per year on books.. I think I've gotten back like.. $200? in the 2 years I've been in school

 

buy books online. its way cheaper. there is site where u can rent the book for a semester also.

 

I learned this lesson after one semester. Started scouting what books I would need for upcoming classes and then checked them out from libraries, either local or intra-library loan. Even with some overdue fees, the costs of the books was effectively nothing compared to buying.

I'd also ask the professors to borrow their books if they had extras, or just do without if it wasn't that necessary. I'd rather attend class and take notes than read a book, and with good notes I never even needed a book. Besides, everyone else in the class had a book, so it was easy to borrow one if needed.