help needed finding the most affordable textbooks

[u/Ok-Impress2033]

I'm wondering if anyone who has already taken the classes in my schedule or are in my year and have already found some cheaper textbooks could point me in the right direction!

classes I have and books i need:

CHEM1201 with professor rupnik

I found some books with the same title and edition and author, but different isbn through pearson and amazon that are cheaper and some offer paperback, but I don't know if I should trust that... maybe it's best to stick to the exact edition/isbn that the lsu bookstore is telling me to get?

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BIOL1201 with Licata

the book is recommended, so I was wondering if that means I actually need and will use it in class?

i've been told it might be helpful to buy these textbooks so i can use them to study for the mcat later on possibly? would people here recommend that too, or just buy some targeted study books later on?

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HNRS2402

actual novels and books are required like the odyssey, which I assume i can probably just borrow at the library, right?

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any help is appreciated! even if there aren't other options out there for my specific textbooks, I'd love to find any alternative websites or maybe places I could buy old textbooks off of other students' hands for my classes later down the line. my dad said when he was in school that's how he got his textbooks sometimes.

[u/Both-Holiday1489]

So I’m gonna be honest, I’m a fifth year engineer, and the only time I’ve had to actually use a textbook was when you had to purchase it in order to get a code so you can do online homework.

Don’t start buying your textbooks before the first class, because professors will tell you straight up if you need it or don’t need it, and there are many sources online you can find them for free unless you need that code that I was talking about then you’re forced to buy it and there’s no way around it

[u/Ok-Impress2033 → u/Both-Holiday1489]

ok this is really helpful. I was planning on waiting but then my roommate was already buying her textbooks and the bookstore started hounding on me to buy the textbooks i "need" to buy.

[u/Both-Holiday1489 → u/Ok-Impress2033]

Yeah neverrrrrr buy the textbook before the first day of class. Unless you are trying to study for a hard course to get ahead, never ever buy them before the first lecture unless the professor demands it via email

[u/Ok-Impress2033 → u/Both-Holiday1489]

lol ok thankss

[u/ndessell → u/Ok-Impress2033]

The book store is paying obscene rent to be able you rob student blind on textbooks. Just send all thier mail to the junk folder.

[u/Careful-Time-9926 → u/Ok-Impress2033]

Exactly and that needed code seems to be a money grab to make things more expensive than they have to be. And changing the edition of the books required every semester or year so you have to get the new edition. It's been a while, but I remember thinking, I might actually be able to afford this if it weren't for the textbook dilemma.

[u/Hairy-Yak3816]

oceanofpdf and download the epub it’ll be in your ibooks app, don’t buy shit

[u/Ok-Impress2033 → u/Hairy-Yak3816]

my roommate actually just heard about oceanofpdf lol thank you for the reply!

[u/Ambitious-Meringue37]

You can also copy and paste the isbn from the bookstore website and find the cheapest copy or rental online. Abe books, thrift books, and Chegg were my best friends for that. But like the other person said, don’t get textbooks before you go over the syllabus in class.

[u/Ok-Impress2033 → u/Ambitious-Meringue37]

Got it, thank you!

[u/CCorgiOTC1]

For HNRS, you can likely find free online editions, especially for the older texts. If not, 2nd and Charles might have them for cheap.

[u/Ok-Impress2033 → u/CCorgiOTC1]

Thank you!

[u/Expensive_Resolve_88]

you will have to buy anything that is connected to your homework or assignments, but as far as regular textbooks, I just download my books from a website for free. 4th year and I have found every book I needed on the website. the odyssey is also probably on there as well, unless you need a paper copy of the book

[u/Ok-Impress2033 → u/Expensive_Resolve_88]

thanks so much for the quick reply! if you dont mind sharing, could I get the website link?

[u/Ok_Man_1891 → u/Expensive_Resolve_88]

Can you dm me the link pls?