There are many options when it comes to picking up college textbooks, but the two most popular choices remain the same: purchasing your own copy of the books or renting them for the course of a semester. Each option has facets which make it more appealing to specific students, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Let’s weigh the differences.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Reaching a Decision:
- Will I possibly need this book in the future?
- If I do buy the books, how much will I be able to get if I sell them back?
- Could I save money by picking up a used copy?
- What is the return policy for this option?
- How much is shipping going to set me back?
- Do I like to take notes in my books?
- Do I tend to damage my belongings?
Buying Textbooks
This is, of course, the original way of getting your hands on textbooks, and many people still choose to go with the classics. The cost of books can add up pretty quickly (especially for anyone in a STEM program), but it can become manageable if you purchase your books secondhand. The main advantage to buying books is that students are able to write in them, jotting down notes and highlighting important passages. This can be useful for people who have a tendency to forget what they have read and need to place reminders for themselves in their books. Buying books is the best option for students who hope to use their textbooks after the semester is through, either for similar classes or to make impressive additions to their personal book collections.
Renting Textbooks
Renting textbooks can cut back on some of the unnecessary costs in college. This is especially helpful if you don’t plan on hanging on to any of your books after you finish with the final. Most university bookstores have options to rent textbooks from them, or you can find rental options through any number of websites. However, renting textbooks comes with its own restrictions: strict return dates, fees for change in condition of the book, and somewhat limited selection. This is the best option for someone on a tight budget and doesn’t need to keep their books after the term is done.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t an either/or problem. You can easily rent some books and buy others. If I were you, I would buy the books for major classes or any other courses that I was particularly interested in, and I would rent the rest. This way, you can keep the books that you will most likely use in the future without having to spend a fortune on the ones that you won’t. Don’t go into any extra debt because of your textbooks.
