Tuesday, August 18, 2009

6 Money-Saving College Textbook Tips for Freshmen

College textbook prices commonly evoke looks of disbelief from incoming college freshmen. $135 for a pre-calculus textbook and $65 for the supplement? That’s right, the cost of those new, glossy college textbooks has skyrocketed as publishers continue to crank out current editions almost every year. As a freshman, you’ll probably take at least four classes per semester, all in different subject areas. Additionally, textbooks for intro-level core classes often come with a higher price tag. Don’t have $600 to drop on books your first semester? By doing a little research, you can save the equivalent of a year's worth of late-night coffee breaks.

"Hi, my name is..." You might feel a bit awkward emailing your professor before even stepping foot inside the classroom, but get over that fear and you can save big bucks. As soon as you receive your class schedule and look up the professor’s name in the directory, send her a short, friendly email. Introduce yourself, explain that you'll be taking her class, and ask which textbooks will be assigned. If possible, get the textbooks' ISBN numbers. This will allow you to purchase used editions online or in the college bookstore before your classmates get a hold of them. Used textbooks can sell for half the price of new books, so copies of in-demand texts usually go fast. Your professor might even be impressed that you’re getting a head start on her class.

For more tips, please visit UniversityParent.com.

Article provided by Unigo.com.

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