5 answers
Samsara
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
3
Questions
Asked
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Can You buy you’re college textbooks from Amazon?
I am just curious. Because I am taking a similar course in high school and I want to buy a textbook but I think I would also be require to buy it when I go to college?
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5 answers
Emily Barbar
Student
11
Answers
Glendale, California
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hello Samsara,
To answer your question yes for college you can buy books from Amazon and other places because school bookstores are very expensive when it comes to their textbooks. High school textbooks are very different from college textbooks. High school textbooks are already provided for you and you don’t pay for them. College textbooks you will be required to buy them if the professor says you need it for the class. In college I would wait till the first week of school to see if you need to buy it. Some professors provide students with a digital version of the book or will provide the students with excerpts from the book that they scan and share with the students. I would suggest for college textbooks from my experience, either renting the book or getting an e book version for your actual college textbooks because after the class is over you are never gonna read the book again.
To answer your question yes for college you can buy books from Amazon and other places because school bookstores are very expensive when it comes to their textbooks. High school textbooks are very different from college textbooks. High school textbooks are already provided for you and you don’t pay for them. College textbooks you will be required to buy them if the professor says you need it for the class. In college I would wait till the first week of school to see if you need to buy it. Some professors provide students with a digital version of the book or will provide the students with excerpts from the book that they scan and share with the students. I would suggest for college textbooks from my experience, either renting the book or getting an e book version for your actual college textbooks because after the class is over you are never gonna read the book again.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Samsara
I second Emily's answer. Amazon or eBay are great sources to buy used textbooks as well.
Wafir S
Rian Alam
Student
139
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Rian’s Answer
Hi Samsara,
You can definitely find textbooks online on amazon. If you plan on purchasing one, I'd recommend splitting the cost with a peer so that you guys can share it. Another thing I would mention is that often times you can find the pdf for textbooks online for free. That can also be a great option if you're looking to save money.
You can definitely find textbooks online on amazon. If you plan on purchasing one, I'd recommend splitting the cost with a peer so that you guys can share it. Another thing I would mention is that often times you can find the pdf for textbooks online for free. That can also be a great option if you're looking to save money.
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
474
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
I was going to reply, but then I saw Emily Barbar's response. She said it best of all. Go with her advice. Some professors do push students to buy their book from them, but you are in charge of from whom you buy books, and often the book you need is available in used condition. All the best to you.
Thank you, david for the advice.
Samsara
Lauren Laner
Lifecycle Marketing Manager
3
Answers
West Milford, New Jersey
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Emily's response is great! Having an ebook version is great because you don't need to be afraid to highlight, and you can easily search for topics within the book. If you prefer a hard copy, definitely buy from Amazon, and buy USED. The books will be significantly less expensive, and you will save hundreds of dollars compared to the school bookstore.
Thank you for the advice, Lauren.
Samsara
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Samsara,
You can definitely buy textbooks from Amazon. Used books might not be the exact edition that the professor uses, but most of the time it doesn't make a difference. The publishers push a new edition every few years with minute changes.
In some courses the textbook is also not used much or an electronic version is made available.
I don't agree that you will never use the textbooks again after the course is over though. Remember, this is your professional future that you are building. Your courses are related and build on each other.
I would never sell a textbook. There is always something you want to check out or confirm when you are taking higher level courses. It's easiest to do that from the book you studied from before and that's sitting in your room. I see every textbook as a piece of my professional library that I am building.
Best regards
KP
You can definitely buy textbooks from Amazon. Used books might not be the exact edition that the professor uses, but most of the time it doesn't make a difference. The publishers push a new edition every few years with minute changes.
In some courses the textbook is also not used much or an electronic version is made available.
I don't agree that you will never use the textbooks again after the course is over though. Remember, this is your professional future that you are building. Your courses are related and build on each other.
I would never sell a textbook. There is always something you want to check out or confirm when you are taking higher level courses. It's easiest to do that from the book you studied from before and that's sitting in your room. I see every textbook as a piece of my professional library that I am building.
Best regards
KP
Thank you for the advice.
Samsara