http://www.sophiemaddox.com/textbookintro.avi

Okay so you have worked with your Financial Aid Advisor, and now have a financial package for your tuition and some fees. It turns out that everything is covered except your text books.

 No big deal you think, if this is all you have to come up with then you’re home free.

This happy thought stays with you until you see the costs of your text books, ranging in price from about $35.00 to 200.00 plus.

As your jaw hits the ground you immediately make up your mind to find other sources of where to get your text books.

Well you’re at the right place, this post will show you where you can look to get text books for much less than the initial prices you were looking at.

Get your mouse ready, you’ll want to click on these.

First here are a few FREE sites to visit for books

               1. The first one that struck a chord with me is a text book site hosted by MIT which lists textbooks and course material for free; this site is Open Course Ware. Now while this may not have your specific text book it is a great place to get a text book that can supplement the material for your very class.

Here is a brief description from their site.

Free lecture notes, exams, and videos from MIT. No registration required.

MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity.

What is MIT OpenCourseWare?
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free publication of MIT course materials that reflects almost all the undergraduate and graduate subjects taught at MIT.

• OCW is not an MIT education.
• OCW does not grant degrees or certificates.
• OCW does not provide access to MIT faculty.
• Materials may not reflect entire content of the course.

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/about/about/index.htm

 The site overview tab walks you through the site step by step.

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/help/overview/index.htm

              2. My second favorite site is a site by students for students where you can buy, sell, and or exchange text books. This excellent resource allows you to choose your college, look up texts and then purchase, sell or exchange with other students.

http://www.studentretail.com/?gclid=CK6Q0ZzY_J4CFR9dagod-X0QJA

              3. Rent a Text, here’s a unique approach to text book cost, see if they have your books.

http://www.chegg.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=college%20book%20buy&utm_campaign=content&referrer=mDt1Obg3v5

Here are Low cost text web sites, if you cannot find what you’re looking for on the free sites.

              3. Textbook Media,

Here is a bit about their site:

“Since 2004, we’ve offered college students either free or premium options for their assigned textbook.

 Our publications are select, quality textbooks developed by professionals, and assigned by instructors.

The free or lowest-priced version is called the Sponsored Book.

Messages from advertising sponsors underwrite the publication and serve as study breaks.

Ad-free premium versions are available at a low price: online; online w/PDF downloads for easy printing; and paperback.

  Check out your options by registering below.”

http://www.textbookmedia.com/

               4. A great discount site is Course Smart.  You will need your text book information to search the site and your books will be an e-book. However, the price savings can be up to about %50.

http://www.coursesmart.com/students

                5. A company called Chapters Indigo.ca helps you find text books at a reduced cost, and currently they are offering free shipping on orders greater than $39.00.

Now they don’t just offer Text books so if you’re interested in other books I’d bookmark this one and keep it for future use.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/?pticket=idf23n45n5trjv55×2sczwm1QI7LE75V1bnt4%2bRfw4uyhgQ0LhU%3d

              6. I know you’ve heard of Amazon.com where you can get discounted books, check their site for your books at a discounted rate

http://www.amazon.com

              7. Here is an excellent site for new and used textbooks that can save you a bundle, the site is called Alibris

http://www.alibris.com/books/textbooks?cm_sp=tabNav-_-textbooks-_-na?S=R&mkwid=SoLPVGSoF&mcid=2947482819&siteID=zw5Rggj1RfM-2YT6PW3eqxSMIhq5s4Cn9w

               8. Another great site is Abebooks.com for this site you’ll need your text book information as well.

http://www.abebooks.com/

              9. Textbooks.com is an excellent resource to check out, offering new, ebooks, used options and there is even an a place to sell them back when you’re done.

http://www.textbooks.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=cheap%20text%20books&utm_campaign=G%20-%20Sell%20-%20General%20-%20Content&KEYWORD_K=cheap%20text%20books&kenshu=kw266072&gclid=CKyZr4bN_J4CFRKjagodlFIuUw

           10. Last but not least, check out ITunes U, here you can find information from lectures and pod casts on many many subjects, you might even find some postings by your current or past professors which will help you as you prepare for and pass your classes.

 

Warning!

Before you get your text book(s) just be sure that it is the exact book you’ll need for your class.

The worst thing would be to get books for a class and then find out that it’s not the one you need, this can set you back quite a bit in your studies if you don’t have the right book and you have to wait to get the right one.

Don’t fear, you can the book by looking at a copy of your syllabus, the ISBN number should be listed here and this is what you use to get the right book.

But Hold on before you pull out your syllabus, call your Advisor and make sure that there will be no updates to the syllabus! Or even better, see if you can contact your professor, perhaps in an e-mail or phone call to find out if there will be an update.

Keep in mind that your upcoming professor may be very busy, so if you don’t hear back from him or her right away. See if they have an assistant who can help make sure you get the right books or materials.

This is especially true if you register early, the last thing you want is to find out that there is a change in the syllabus.

Please pass this on and share this information with friends and family alike, let’s all save money on texts this semester.

Don’t forget to digg, re-tweet, and grab your free thank you gift.

Sophie

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