Tuesday, November 27, 2012

No thanks, I'd rather buy a car


Jordan Spurling

The beginning of every semester brings high hopes and optimism to all students.  They print their syllabuses off, get new note pads and pens, and talk to their friends to see if they have the same classes together.

In the midst of all of this excitement, a daunting reality hits you in the face.  You have to buy text books.  “For the first two years of my college career, I had the wool pulled over my eyes and thought it was mandatory to buy all of the textbooks that my teachers told me about.  Some of them I didn’t even use!” said senior Bryce Carey.  Of course there are some classes that actually require you to use them, but it’s rare.  “I only bought one book this semester, and so far I am doing just fine,” said Carey.

According to scholarships.com, the average college students spend about 1,100 dollars on text books per school year.  Realistically, your average student will open each one of those books twice.  With the internet, students have all the knowledge they need just a few clicks away, so why waste the money on the book?

If you just have to have the books, there are some cost saving alternatives.  More than likely, you will be able to find a used version of the book you are looking for, for a reduced price.  You will just have to deal with some tears or scratches on the cover.  Also, students can rent books from various companies; you just have to be willing to pay monthly renewals.  You could also rely on my personal, all time favorite money saving tip, and just have your study sessions in the campus bookstore.

More than likely, these publishing companies are just asking ridiculous prices for their books because they know that it’s only a matter of time before the iPad runs them out of business.  I just pray that the app for that isn’t $249.99.

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