I have no money left to pay for college textbooks!?
Guess you have checked used textbooks on Amazon? I asked this because you may find cheaper used textbooks there: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNew-Used-Textbooks-Books%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D465600%26ref%255F%3Damb%255Flink%255F84845751%255F1&tag=moreinfo-po-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957 If I were you, I'll get some cheaper books first. For more expensive ones, I'll wait to see if I can still find cheap ones after the classes start. Meanwhile, I'll try to find a part time job like tutoring. I can learn from the part time job and accumulate some money for further spending... Hope it helps.
Does edition of the textbooks matter much for college?
For most text books I would say it doesn't matter if you're only one edition off. However, there can be a lot of difference in examples or with the inclusion of modern events, or sometimes page numbers or chapters can be way off. I have seen some cases when the authors of a text book change from edition to edition, and there can be a lot of change then. Something else you can do if you don't really want to buy the text book is to check it out from the library. Our library has most of the books I have used in my various classes, and if a book is way too expensive or if I know we only use it a time or two, I'll just check it out.
Do you have to pay for college books?
Yes! The proffessors will give you a syllabus at the beggining of each course which outline lessons, grading scales, and course requirements. They will tell you which textbooks are required for your course but it is up to you to buy them. There are usually textbook stores located blocks from campus where you can purchase your books. BUT, you should always try to shop around to get the best deals! Textbooks are not cheap but there are many places you can purchase them from. You can search for your books at Amazon or Ebay.com where you can buy them used for cheaper. Also try to search for your books in the flyers other students post up around crowded areas. Buying your books from other students is probably the cheapest option. The textbooks stores also sell used books but get there quickly because they are the first to go. If you dont manage to purchase your books on time or are waiting for them to be delivered, I suggest letting your professor know and making copies of other students books. As soon as you walk into class try to make at least one friend. So if you havent gotten you books in time you can make copies of the pages you need.
Do i need my textbooks the first day of college classes?
Ah, no you don't. Sometimes, you may not even find out what books you need until you actually get to the class. Most of the time on the first day, your professor is going to go over the syllabus with the class,and then that's where they usually tell you what books you need for that class, and any other supplies. And it would suck if you bought all the books if they told you before hand, and then go to class and find out that you didn't need those books. Textbooks are very expensive. And sometimes if you buy a book, and want to return it you can only get half price for it. All the used-books in book stores don't usually go that fast because not everyone buys their books on the first day of class. When I started, I didn't buy my books until the week after the first classes and all my books were used. If you're taking a math course, I suggest having a scientific calculator by your side, along with atleast a notebook or a binder, a folder, pens, pencils and your agenda or planner to write any homework or reminders down in there.
What is the best place to sell college textbooks online?
I don't want to sell them back to my college. I'm looking to get back ALL my money that I spent in purchasing the books. My college will only pay back half of what I spent when I purchased them. I already tried ebay...no luck there. Is there anything (perferably online) where I can sell my books and keep the money without a percentage taken out?
Students, do you actually read your college textbooks? How do you absorb the info?
In general, reading is usually a strength of mine. Reading novels, literature, poetry, non-fiction, stories, etc.. I can read with ease EXCEPT college textbooks. When it comes to reading college texts I am completely unmotivated because I have such a hard time concentrating. The chapters are so long, the content is so full of vagueness, jargon, and mostly information that's boring or presented in a very dull or complicated way. When I read the textbooks I don't feel like I'm truly absorbing much of the material at all. I zone out, my mind drifts, and I feel like I can't control it. I'll read a page, pause to review what I just read, and find I have no clue. Do you actually read your college textbooks? This is my first year at university, how can I study effectively and get good grades without reading every chapter word for word?