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Originally Posted On: 7 Common Textbook Buying Mistakes to Avoid for Freshmen (cheapesttextbooks.com)

Preparing for your first semester at college is an exciting, action-packed experience. But as a result, some things fall through the cracks. For example, do you really have time to worry about the cost of textbooks?

Probably not. But consider this: The average student spends $1,240 on textbooks and supplies every year. That’s $5,000 over the course of a traditional four-year program!

Don’t spend more than you should on textbooks. When you’re walking down the aisle in your cap and gown, your prudence will pay off. Save money by avoiding these 7 textbook buying mistakes.

At most universities, you’ll get a list of required textbooks well in advance. And as an enthusiastic freshman, you’re ready to get your hands on them before classes officially start.

While that may give you peace of mind, it’s not great for your wallet. Many professors don’t stick to the textbooks required by the college. Others may warn you that some textbooks aren’t necessary or won’t be used very often.

In any of these cases, you can save money on textbooks by waiting for the first day of class. When your professor covers the syllabus, you’ll have a good idea of what’s necessary — and what isn’t.

And don’t worry; no professor expects their students to have their textbooks on day one.

There’s no doubt that new stuff is better than old stuff. There’s a shiny new cover, the pages are white and pristine, and it’s got that new book smell. That’s all well and good.

But is a new textbook worth the price? That’s a personal preference, but most students will likely say no. Consider that a used textbook costs about half as much as its new variant.

Imagine saving half on the $1,240 students spend every year on textbooks and supplies. By buying used, you’ll save $600 a year, which leads to a total of about $2,500 for your entire four-year stay.

Look, we get it. The campus bookstore is convenient whether you live on or off university grounds. Everything you need is right there, and you can pick it up after your first day of class.

Thing is, you pay for that convenience. Campus bookstores sell everything at a premium. If you want the cheapest textbooks, you can only find those online.

Why’s that? Because online shopping is completely transparent, so competitors have to lower their prices to compensate. With our online tool, students save up to 95% off on their textbooks.

Most universities require their libraries to carry the assigned textbooks of every class. It’s obviously not a comfortable or efficient idea to rely on the library alone. After all, you’ll need some textbooks in class.

But using the free library textbooks can sometimes pay off. Is your class using an expensive textbook — but only for a small lesson? Don’t buy it.

Make photocopies of the essentials at the school library. You’ll spread your budget and give yourself an excuse to get some studying done while you’re there.

In addition to deciding on new or old textbooks, you also have to decide if you want them forever or just for the semester. That’s not always an easy decision to make.

Ask yourself, “Will I need this textbook for another class?” If the answer is yes, then buy it right away.

But if you’re not sure or definitely won’t need it, maybe because it’s an elective, then rent the textbook instead. Renting is significantly cheaper than buying.

If it turns out the book is more important than you thought, that’s okay. Most sellers give you the option of buying a rented textbook at the end of the semester. Of course, you’ll have to pay extra.

There are two ways to flex your social network and come out on top. If you have a friend in the class, why not share a single book? It’s not as convenient, but it works well if you’ve got a great friend you hang out with most of the time.

The other option is even easier. Know anyone a year or two ahead of you? They probably had to get some of the same textbooks you need right now!

Ask around and see if anyone bothered to buy them. If they did, then you may be able to borrow it for the semester without paying a dime!

Publishers edit and resell their textbooks all the time. Buy the wrong edition and you could end up missing critical changes.

To that end, always use the ISBN when you’re searching for your book. This is an identification number that denotes a certain edition and printing. You can’t purchase the wrong book by going with the ISBN.

And if you’re buying textbooks online, that’s more important than ever. Sending it back and waiting for the real one to arrive could cost you dearly during your first few weeks.

Most college graduates will admit that they made some textbook buying mistakes early on. Learn from their experiences so you don’t have to learn from your own. As textbook costs skyrocket every year, it’s more important than ever to make the right buying decisions right away.

Know what else is a common freshman mistake? Procrastinating. That may have worked in high school, but it won’t work here.

Start your college experience on the right foot. Here’s how to get rid of procrastination.