Books and supplies are conveniently available to students on most college campuses at the campus bookstore.  Required (and optional) books for courses are listed at the bookstore or its college website.  If you find a book at a lower price elsewhere, some campus bookstores will match that price (see their website for details and restrictions).

 

Unless instructed by your professor, you may not need to purchase expensive hard-cover books.  Less expensive options include

• used books,

• paperback editions,

• e-books,

• online PDFs, or

• rentals.

Some students also choose to sell their books back to the bookstore when the course ends.  Keep in mind that there may be some books that you will need for multiple classes, so it may be to your benefit to purchase those books (as opposed to renting or returning).  Check with your instructor.

 

No matter where you obtain your books or in what form, be certain that you have the edition required by the instructor.  An ISBN number (10 or 13 digits) can be very helpful with this.  If it’s to your advantage to shop around for book deals, check bookstores near campus or online sites such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Abe Books, Alibris, Book Finder, Thrift Books, and Better World Books.  If you take that option, be sure you're getting the right book, getting it by the first day of class, and calculating shipping as part of the cost.