Living off instant ramen and being a “broke college student” has been (sadly) normalized as something that most students will inevitably face in pursuit for their degree.

With college tuition steadily rising, the harsh reality is that staying on budget is more difficult than ever.

I started my first semester of college last fall and remember skimming the class syllabus for general chemistry. Two textbooks were listed, and after a quick Google search, I calculated $200 in expenses for that course alone. I initially had no idea how to go about obtaining these books, but I luckily attained a secondhand copy from an upperclassman.

Instead of paying full price for textbooks that you’ll open once during the semester, explore the many alternatives available. Here are some ways to save money on college textbooks that you should try before taking that walk to the campus bookstore.

1. Don’t buy books before the first day of class.

Wait until after the first day of class before buying necessary course materials.

Professors sometimes change their minds or add textbooks that are not listed on the syllabus. In some cases, the listed textbooks are hardly used throughout the course.

Get an opinion from students who have taken the course before you. They can let you know what is and isn’t needed for success in the class. In my experience, most of my courses tested primarily on lecture material rather than textbook content.

It might be scary to come to the class “unprepared,” but the first day is typically spent reviewing the syllabus and answering questions. The first day can also help you gauge if you would like to continue with the course. If you end up dropping, you’ll save yourself from wasting money on unnecessary material.

2. Rent instead of purchasing new books.

There are a countless number of places to rent textbooks from.

The most popular websites are Amazon Textbook Rental, Campus Book Rentals and Chegg.com, but be sure to check other websites and compare prices. 

Although avoiding your campus Barnes & Nobles is a safe move, sometimes it is worth checking out if you would like to rent a text. One particular book for my seminar class was not available online, but I was able to rent it for cheap through my college’s bookstore. 

Be sure to read over the terms and conditions before renting material. Writing in rented books is often prohibited, and you’ll have to return the book by a specified deadline.

If you’re either forgetful or not the best at caring for books, beware of heavy fines! You may be better off with another option.

3. Buy a used book.

Just like renting a textbook, buying used can help you save a fortune. Most textbooks are only used for a single semester, so it’s fairly easy to find the text you’re looking for in pristine condition. 

One easy way to compare online book prices is by plugging your textbook’s ISBN number into Bookfinder.com or SlugBooks.com. These websites search every major catalog online and let you know which booksellers are offering the best prices for both new and used copies of your book.

Know any upperclassmen that took the same course? Oftentimes, students are willing to sell their used books for cheap, and you won’t have to pay for shipping. 

Buying used books is also a smart move if you think the material will be helpful for review or latter courses. If you don’t end up using it after your course is done, you can always resell it on the internet for the price you bought it for.

4. Borrow a book or share one with a friend.

If you and a friend are taking the same course, but at different times during the semester, you can consider sharing the textbook between yourselves.

I personally wouldn’t recommend this because you’ll likely find yourselves fighting over the book at some point, but it’s a viable option if you and your friend are able to organize your study schedules around each other.

5. Purchase an electronic copy.

Last semester, I used a PDF version of my English 101 book instead of buying a physical copy. I really enjoyed the electronic version, because I was able to upload the PDF to Notability and handwrite notes on the margins.

Purchasing your textbooks in ebook format is easier than ever and significantly cheaper than buying a physical textbook.

Sometimes electronic copies can be difficult to navigate, and some students prefer reading off a physical page.

Finding what works with your study habits may take some trial-and-error!

6. Buy an older edition.

The difference between the 5th and 6th edition of a textbook may be minimal, but the price difference can be huge.

The chemistry textbook I used was an older edition, but luckily my professor provided the problem numbers for both the newer and older versions.

If the content between books does not vary by much, this is a great option. Just be aware that figure numbers and problem numbers probably won’t align across different versions. 

Being a college student involves learning how to manage your money independently, and that can be stressful. But you’re not alone!

Luckily, Niche also has further resources on financial aid and scholarships that can help you channel your energy into academics, extracurriculars and making connections instead of battling your budget.

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