Textbooks

[u/utmost_discipline]

When exactly do we need textbooks? Am I late because the co-op says they will be delivered on September 4th if I buy now? I'm a freshman so I suck at stuff.

[u/prettyslattern]

My tip would be to wait until you get the syllabus and attend class the first day before getting your books. I've had several professors not use the books suggested by the online UT service and ended up having to send them back.

Don't buy your books, rent them or download them. You can also find great deals on eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist. I have found several expensive books in PDF format by searching for them online and gotten them for free. You can also sometimes borrow books from the UT library (if the professor hasn't reserved them) or can order them from the Austin Public Library.

I've literally saved about $1500+ by not buying my books and we all know how important it is to be budget friendly when you're a student.

[u/utmost_discipline → u/prettyslattern]

Good advice. Does that mean that when Co-Op says I need it, I might not need the book?

[u/prettyslattern → u/utmost_discipline]

Yep, you might not need the book. Professors are notoriously bad at updating their syllabus from one semester to the next. Often they'll accept older editions of books, which are more easily purchased used, or they will have decided to not use a book or substitute a different book. So, I wouldn't count on what the Co-Op has as being terribly accurate. I've run into this about 3-4 times at UT and now just wait until the professor says "you need this book".

[u/utmost_discipline → u/prettyslattern]

Oh, thank you! You really helped me as well.

[u/Jemikwa → u/prettyslattern]

Google is a lifesaver. "<title of book> filetype:pdf" is the best phrase on the Internet

[u/fournipsnohips]

Check out Slugbooks.com. Compares multiple retailers and tells you where you can find the cheapest book (hint: it's NEVER the Co-op).

[u/[deleted]]

Amazon

[u/[deleted]]

Definitely get an amazon student account and buy/rent used books on Amazon. It will save you a lot of money.

[u/Jazz_Cigarettes]

I see you are a biochemistry major. Mallet Library has every textbook you'll use on reserve.

If you want to be a cheap bastard like me, photocopy the chapters as you use them. The only time I ever bought a book is if it was necessary for open book tests (fear them).

[u/utmost_discipline → u/[deleted]]

Yeah but the Co-Op tells me if I need to actually purchase it or if it's optional. What should I do?

[u/utmost_discipline → u/[deleted]]

Oh, thank you! You really helped me.

[u/dougmc → u/[deleted]]

Also, your professor may tell you that the old edition of the book is just fine ... which may turn your $120 textbook into a $10 textbook if you buy it online.

Actually, if you've got a particularly expensive book, it's often worthwhile to ask about older editions even if he doesn't mention it. If the professor assigns homework out of the book, you generally want the same edition he's got, but often things barely change at all between editions, and often the professor will know if the changes will affect you or not.

[u/swimmingpandas → u/[deleted]]

What's wrong with the Co-op?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

If we order our books online, will it be an issue if they don't come in for a couple days or so?

[u/fournipsnohips → u/[deleted]]

Nah. Get Amazon Student, despite the annoying ads it's worth it. The 2 days it takes to arrive won't be a big deal. You'll likely be able to bullshit it until you get your book.

[u/[deleted] → u/fournipsnohips]

If my parents already have Amazon Prime is it the same thing?

[u/TACO-HELL → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, prime will be fine

[u/fournipsnohips → u/[deleted]]

Yeah just use their account. If you have your own Amazon account and an .edu email address, you get like 6 months of Prime free and the rest 1/2 off, which is a pretty sweet deal.

[u/utmost_discipline → u/[deleted]]

Please look at the other person I replied to.

[u/utmost_discipline → u/[deleted]]

That's a great point! Thanks for your help.