Buy books without getting dirty looks

 When a student is preparing to further his/her education, they will research colleges, look at dorms, apartments and apply for every scholarship. Money for food, gas, a laptop and entertainment might be high on the list of expenses. 

 Somewhere down the list, the student will probably consider that books are necessary.  However, almost every college course has a textbook requirement that will add to the student's expenses.

 "The first time I bought books for college I couldn't believe how much they cost," said Eddie Lloyd, business administration major. "I spent over $500 for four classes."

CFCC faculty and staff recognize that textbooks are expensive and explain that there are alternative sources available.

 "Understanding that textbooks are expensive, I encourage my students to consider shopping for used copies or earlier versions of my current text," said Karla B. Wilson associate professor of psychology/human services.

 There are options available for students who want to explore alternate resources when shopping for textbooks. Some of the options to consider when looking for textbooks are online bookstores, rental websites and campus resources.

 Online bookstores such as Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com provide an alternative to the school bookstore. A wide variety of textbooks are available for purchase on these sites. In addition to new textbooks, there are used textbooks that can be purchased.

 Based on prices found on Amazon.com the textbook for the Introduction to Humanities course can be purchased for as low as $43 for a new copy or $13.40 for a used copy. In comparison, the CFCC bookstore price is $161.05 for a new copy and $120.80 for a used copy of the same edition. A student can save up to $148 on this book alone.

 Another resource is online rental sites such as Chegg.com, which allows the student to pay a flat rate for a specified time frame.

 Rental of the textbook for the Introduction to Humanities course costs $13.99 for one semester through this site. Rental periods are flexible and can be extended for additional time if needed. This site provides postage free returns at the end of the rental period.

 According to Wilson, when using any of these resources there are a few tips that a student should keep in mind. Consider purchasing a paper back edition instead of a hard cover book in order to lower costs. Be sure to include shipping expenses when deciding which book to purchase and compare several sources before placing an order.

 "When searching for a textbook online make sure you use the ISBN to make sure you get the right book," said Paul Jensen, business major.

 The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique combination of numbers used to identify a certain book. The number is usually located on the back cover of the text.

There are on campus resources that students can utilize, too. Check with other students about purchasing their used book or possibly make a mutually beneficial exchange of books. Before the semester begins, consult the professor teaching the course to see if they can offer any alternatives to purchasing the textbook.

 "E-books are another solution that we've been looking into," said Dr. Peter Dunbaugh Smith, associate professor for the humanities and social sciences. "Many publishers offer their textbooks in electronic form for around half of the regular price."

 The cost of a college education continues to increase every year. Although textbooks are an unavoidable expense, a student can lower the impact on their budget by using alternative resources.

 Wilson said, "Faculty want to find the best support for student learning, with an understanding that cost is a major hindrance to many students. Textbooks are a frustrating challenge for students and faculty alike."