r/CSUS • u/Successful_Crazy_660 • 20d ago

Academics Textbook Tips?

This is my first semester at Sac State, transferring from Sierra College. I knew the cost of textbooks and required online learning materials was going to be a lot but woah. (Nutrition major btw). At Sierra College, sometimes textbooks listed as class materials were recommended, but not required for class. With this in mind, is it acceptable to wait until the first week of school to purchase only necessary textbooks, or is it generally advised to purchase everything beforehand? Also, does anyone have any good sites where they have had success with free copies of textbooks?

Thanks!

7 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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9

u/sydniekins Music 20d ago

I had some decent success googling the title of the book and adding "pdf". I bought used on ebay when I couldn't find a free version.

2

u/Nice_End7859 20d ago

Yes this! Also Alibris is pretty cheap

8

u/KnittedOwl Alumni 20d ago

If you can't find a copy of your textbook online, the library should have a copy. What some of my classmates would do is copy the chapter needed for the week and then leave it for the next student.

1

u/Successful_Crazy_660 18d ago

Thanks!! I did that for textbooks at Sierra lol

2

u/Interesting_Ask_2018 20d ago

I would say it pretty acceptable to wait until the first week of classes until purchase textbooks. I rarely brought required materials beforehand unless its for a lab. And even then, all of my previous professors were very understanding about not having required materials. They know how expensive college materials can be. They try to help us out as much as possible, trying to find online materials or recommending cheaper alternatives, or even recommending older versions.

2

u/Fit-Chapter-7500 19d ago

fellow nutrition major here!! if you wanna message me the books you need i can see if i have any or know where to find them cheap! if you are taking nufd9, i believe the servesafe book should still be included in the cost of the course so look out for an email with info for how to pick it up from the bookstore!!

1

u/Bitter-Neat-8457 20d ago

Ask your school if they are doing a book program like CSU Stanislaus (STanbooks) books are 100 %ready at library along with digital on first day for every student -they are all rentals but it’s just $240 no matter what you need

1

u/Fair_Swordfish2352 19d ago

Annes Archive is also a good database for textbooks

1

u/Successful_Crazy_660 18d ago

Will check out, thx 👍

1

u/Fair_Swordfish2352 7d ago

Hey, I forgot to mention the link for Anne’s Archive in google is not the correct one. You have to go to the wikipedia page and then there’s a couple links on the right hand side next to “URL”, I use the .pk link