2008 Woodie Awards
Thank You e-follet
Deborah Chessey
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: Life
I recall my very first day on the college campus. When I walked out of the campus bookstore I was in awe of the fact that I had 400 dollars worth of books. I comforted myself with the thought that I could sell them back to the book store at the end of the semester and recoup my costs.
At the end of my very first semester of college, I walked out of the campus bookstore with exactly enough cash to take my family out to McDonald's where each of them could pick two items off the dollar menu.
Over my many years of college, I have discovered a few ways to avoid having my checking account sucked dry at the bookstore.
This semester I purchased a required textbook from cheapbooks.com for one dollar and 43 cents. I think it is obvious that I am now their number one fan. There are numerous places to shop on-line for used books. You should ask your best friend Google which would be the right one for you.
• Did you know that you could rent textbooks? Apparently you can - go to CampusBookRentals.com and see if they have what you need.
• Trading books is also a popular option. Maybe your cousin had biology last semester and kept her book for sentimental reasons. Before you walk into the bookstore, talk to her and see if the two of you can arrange a deal.
• Remember what you learned in preschool and share! It shouldn't be hard to find another student in class who is a little disgruntled to find out they must buy a 100 dollar textbook. Split the cost of the book and as a bonus you also get to split the time you spend carrying a heavy text book around campus.
• Ask somebody in the class if you can copy the required reading from their textbook. This is a time consuming process and will require you and that special someone to stand around the copy machine for a few minutes. Your mother would approve of the way you are meeting people.
• Use your networking skills and speak with people who have taken the class before you; some professors do such a good job lecturing that buying the book isn't even necessary.
This column is my gift to students who did not know they had options other than the campus bookstore. It is also my way of saying: "Thank-you e-follet for overcharging me for textbooks and then buying them back from me for pennies on the dollar."
At the end of my very first semester of college, I walked out of the campus bookstore with exactly enough cash to take my family out to McDonald's where each of them could pick two items off the dollar menu.
Over my many years of college, I have discovered a few ways to avoid having my checking account sucked dry at the bookstore.
This semester I purchased a required textbook from cheapbooks.com for one dollar and 43 cents. I think it is obvious that I am now their number one fan. There are numerous places to shop on-line for used books. You should ask your best friend Google which would be the right one for you.
• Did you know that you could rent textbooks? Apparently you can - go to CampusBookRentals.com and see if they have what you need.
• Trading books is also a popular option. Maybe your cousin had biology last semester and kept her book for sentimental reasons. Before you walk into the bookstore, talk to her and see if the two of you can arrange a deal.
• Remember what you learned in preschool and share! It shouldn't be hard to find another student in class who is a little disgruntled to find out they must buy a 100 dollar textbook. Split the cost of the book and as a bonus you also get to split the time you spend carrying a heavy text book around campus.
• Ask somebody in the class if you can copy the required reading from their textbook. This is a time consuming process and will require you and that special someone to stand around the copy machine for a few minutes. Your mother would approve of the way you are meeting people.
• Use your networking skills and speak with people who have taken the class before you; some professors do such a good job lecturing that buying the book isn't even necessary.
This column is my gift to students who did not know they had options other than the campus bookstore. It is also my way of saying: "Thank-you e-follet for overcharging me for textbooks and then buying them back from me for pennies on the dollar."
Be the first to comment on this story