How much am I going to be in the hole?

kaydensmom01 · Aug 18, 2013

I've spent around 3000 in the last 2.5 years.

TLizS · Aug 18, 2013

I spent about 250 on books last semester....I rented all of my books except my lab manual that semester. This semester I will buy my A&P book and lab manual this semester and hopefully rent the algebra book. Renting books saved me a ton. How much to expect to spend OVER ALL....I have no clue....I'm sure someone else can give you a better idea

Peppermint_RN · Aug 18, 2013

For nursing books, I spent around $1000 altogether. I always checked amazon, Chegg.com, and Half.com for cheapest prices. That includes extras like the Success books, pocket guides, and care of plan books, not just required reading.

Mandy0728 · Aug 19, 2013

I have to use my book voucher from financial aid that's loaded onto my ID a week before classes so I'm forced to buy my books at the campus bookstore. I got severely unlucky and had to buy all new books since they didn't have used...I spent $700 on just 3 books. The other 2 I have to go to class first.

Hopefulganurse · Aug 19, 2013

I receive a book voucher too for my books but I never use it. Why? Because we get refunded all of the money that we don't use. School bookstores inflate their pricing by double, at least. As stated above... I always always always find my books online. And I never buy books until I go to class and really know if we NEED them. Nothing is worse than purchasing a book to only find out you'll never use it the entire semester. Go to ratemyprofessor.com and see what prior students say about the book. Most of my teachers have their slides online that I print out an the test and quizzes are solely based on lecture.... Saves me a TON of money every semester. I spen about $150 on books a semester.

Nurse2B2016 · Aug 19, 2013

I never spend much on books AT ALL. I email all my professors prior to the start of the course to ask if the earlier edition is acceptable. I have yet to be told no its not and I've never had an issue with the information in the book not matching what I need to study. I spent 7.00 for my anatomy book (used prior edition). They wanted 250.00 for the current edition brand new. The material is the same. Only difference is a few graphs or charts added here and there. Not worth the extra money bc I haven't noticed anything and I get nothing but A's. if I can't find an earlier used edition on amazon I rent from Chegg. The school bookstore got me my first semester and they won't get me again!!!! Too smart for that :)

madelynsmom · Aug 19, 2013

I am taking 3 classes this semester (13 credits) and between the fees for the class AND books, I have spent $750. $400ish of that is from books- some new and some used and some rented.

TLizS · Aug 20, 2013

the most expensive part of my "books" is the online access codes that are required with all 3 of them for this semester....they usually come with the etext but I really like having a physical book more than the etext

sjg8412 · Aug 20, 2013

I spent around $400 on 3 books. I use my book voucher, unless I can find better prices online.

Before I declared my major, I was a renter, big time! Now that I know what I want to do I have been buying all my books in case they'll be of use to me down the road.

CDEWannaBe · Aug 20, 2013

In addition to renting from Chegg.com and buying from Amazon, I always look on RateMyProfessor.com and see if the teacher uses the book or not. I sometimes select a class specifically because the teacher DOESN'T use the book since they tend to be better teachers who highlight the most important parts of the curriculum. Most textbooks are a waste of paper.

Also politely ask the Admin Assistants in the Math & Science (or Nursing) offices at your school if they have an extra copy of the book you can borrow for the semester. You sometimes still have to buy access codes for the computer portion, but it will save you a lot.