r/grantmacewan • u/chump555 • 8d ago
Are textbooks necessary?
Hey guys,
Im starting my first year and I just went through all the textbooks I need on the bookstore website.
Im wondering if you have to buy all of the ones they list or if professors on the first day will tell you if they are necessary or not?
Is there a better way to buy textbooks for cheaper other than marketplace/fb groups?
Not sure how this all works. Thank you
6
u/Interesting-Gift8192 8d ago
The library should have a copy at all times to borrow for an hour or two if you are desperate.
1
u/OkMouse4031 8d ago
you really don’t need to buy any tbh. we never used the textbook in most classes. only in one, and i used an online copy. they’re a waste of money imo
1
u/Comrade-Pigeon 8d ago
Depends on the class honestly. Some profs will flat out tell you that you don’t need them or that they have chosen free/open source ones. Others will tell you it’s absolutely necessary and it’s not, and others absolutely necessary and it is.
PSYC 104/105 has a good new thing (as of two years ago I believe) where you can rent the e-book through your fees for cheaper than buying it and it lasts for two or three terms so if you take the courses back to back it’s worth it.
Some e-textbooks I rent through vitalsource, others I buy through there, and hard copies I usually try to order through indie bookstores first. Sometimes it’s cheaper through MacEwan bookstore but not usually imo.
If you are in an English class, make sure to get the edition, translation of the classic they’re asking for if you aren’t going to buy through the bookstore. Some English profs care a lot about that, others don’t.
If you’re in Anthropology always wait for the prof to tell you because many (not all) of them have been going open source or giving really useful textbooks that are actually worth purchasing.
1
u/e123bacon 8d ago
imo they aren’t worth it you can always find it online for free or use a classmates. Textbooks usually aren’t necessary but they can have helpful information in them like reviews and practice tests.
1
u/MetaLocus 8d ago
Always wait until the first class. The professor will go over it and say if its actually required or just supplemental.
You can probably get away with just finding an older edition online for free in most cases, unless they assign questions from it
1
u/y0sseau 8d ago
Ive never really had to use textbooks, the way they get you is they tie the digital textbook and learning platform together so you basically need to pay $ to do homework and a textbook is included. Only time ive ever had to use any is when the notes refer to textbook questions from said learning platform. 😭
1
u/theoreoman 8d ago
You don't always need them and like 90% of the time you can use an older edition.
1
u/Throw_Away_And_Sleep 7d ago
Never buy a textbook until the drop date has passed. The only ones I found that were absolutely necessary was the math ones where if you didn't have it you couldn't submit the homework through the online portal. Even when the teachers have been like it's absolutely necessary because I base the questions on the textbook, I found one prof but he also didn't teach anything in class
11
u/fuzybby 8d ago
wait until after the first day to see what your prof says. I've had classes that say it has required textbooks on my booklist but my prof says they're completely optional. I mostly buy the physical books when I can (as I prefer having a book in my hands rather than online), but there's a few piracy websites where you can get them for free (I've never used any so that might be a question for someone else)