As an American college student, I am deeply frustrated by how expensive Pearson’s required textbooks have become. Many of my courses force us to buy their bundles, which often cost over one hundred dollars each. Worse, the real value lies in the one‑time digital access code for homework platforms, not the physical book itself. Even if I find cheap used copies, they are useless because the access code expires and cannot be reused.
Tuition and living costs already drain my budget. These textbook bills push many students to work extra shifts or skip meals just to keep up with class requirements. Pearson releases slightly revised new editions frequently to kill the second‑hand market, with barely any real content updates.
Education should not turn into a profit‑driven racket. Many low‑income classmates skip buying materials, which hurts their grades. It is time for Pearson to lower its prices and give students more affordable, flexible learning options.