I'm starting to do some budgeting for college and was wondering where do most college students buy or rent their textbooks from? Any insight or tips would be highly appreciated.
College students obtain their textbooks from a variety of sources, based on their needs and budget. Here are some popular places students typically check out:
1. The school's bookstore: This can be a little pricier, but sometimes this is the only place to find certain books, especially custom editions made only for your school.
2. Online retailers: Amazon is a very popular source for both purchasing and renting textbooks. Their prices can be very competitive, so it's worth a look.
3. Online book rental services: Chegg and CampusBookRentals are websites that offer rentals and can be significantly cheaper than buying new books.
4. Used Books: Websites like AbeBooks and ThriftBooks sell used textbooks. You can also check Facebook groups related to your school or course, where upperclassmen might sell their old textbooks.
5. Open Source Textbooks: OpenStax and other similar platforms offer free access to textbooks online. Not all classes will have texts available here, but it's always worth a check.
6. Libraries: Some students use textbooks placed on reserve at the library. It may not be feasible if the book is heavily used for homework, but it could work if the textbook is used more for readings.
Remember, always check the ISBN number provided by your course syllabus to ensure you're getting the exact copy your professor expects you to use.
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