The True Cost of College: Textbooks

Money always seems to be an issue with college students. Think about it, not all of us are able to juggle a job, classes, and a social life. Although there are jobs available on most college campus’, students are only offered a limited number of hours. Once we get our hands on money, our first purchase doesn’t want to be textbooks. We tend to think more toward food, clothes, and things most of us probably shouldn’t be buying yet. We never seem to get a break when it comes to buying textbooks. Personally, I’ve never gotten much use out of some of my textbooks. Sometimes, teachers require you to buy them, and then they hardly use them! Some of these books can cost hundreds of dollars which adds up when you have to buy three or four per class. The amount that college bookstores are asking for these textbooks are ridiculous. Although students are able to sell back their books at the end of the semester, they usually won’t even get half of their money back. Most of us will give up our summers to work and save up for school to blow it all the first week on books. College is already stressful enough. There is no reason to add to it. Now at some schools, students are able to rent their textbooks for a more reasonable, but still high price. However this is not available at all colleges or all textbooks. If possible, schools should create payment plans for textbooks, or work it into their students tuition.