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When do you start to buy books for your college classes?
Should I wait to get my books until after the first day of classes or should I go ahead and get them? My parents say that I should wait, but I'm not really liking the idea of walking into class the first day unprepared.Will the books be sold out if I wait to buy my books?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Colleges & Universities?
You should use your best judgement.
If a class has only one or two text books listed, and the list is current and reliable, it's probably in your best interest to just get them. Those in-demand, first-year class, text books do occasionally sell out. And no - you can't get everything off of Amazon.com.
If a class lists many more books, you should hold off and get those as they are needed or discussed.
I wouldn't worry too much about coming unprepared to your first class. If you are a first year student most teachers will understand you are still learning the system and will help you know what you need.
But if a class - especially a big basic class like art history or economics 101 sort of class - has only one or two text books listed, you are normally best off to just get them as soon as you are able.
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It has been awhile since anyone in my family has attended college though I do know several college instructors. Many of them have websites or Facebook pages on the college web server.
By now you know what classes you have been accepted to and who the instructors are. I would suggest you look them up on the college server, which you should enroll in or have access to by now.
The instructors who want you to come fully prepared for class on day one will have their book list and syllabus available for downloading. They will also have other study guides or materials they expect you to have on the first day of class posted.
This is college in the Internet age. Many instructors and professors do not want to lead you around by the hand as your instructors in public school have. The information has been posted and they are leaving it up to you to find it and come prepared for class.
Those instructors who have not posted anything should be continued to be checked on. If they do not post anything then a notebook and pen is all that is required for the first day of class.
You can go to the college bookstore as well. Sometimes instructors have left lists of which books they have selected for their classes at the college bookstore. This is somewhat old school though it still works. If you plan on buying your books on EBay or other site; make sure to copy all the information not just the title. The Edition and which printing of the edition is important to have the same book as the instructor has requested.
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You should wait. The books wont be sold out, as Amazon always replenish stocks.
People may tell you not to wait, but I know from experience-I'm 18.
If you don't know EXACTLY what syllabus you're on, then wait else it'd be a waste of money.
For example some syllabuses come with different editions and specifications, and its next to impossible to know what your teacher has decided before you start college.
Its rare people do this aswell, look around on the first day and everyone will also be waiting.
I admire you for wanting to be organised though, but just by the staple items you are 100% sure you'll need, pens, books etc. This is an end of August job, enjoy your holiday for now!
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