Dealing with the Cost of Textbooks

Jonathan Golding Textbooks, Uncategorized, What Should You Do , ,

At this time of year, rising freshmen either are having summer orientation or are about to, and they will certainly hear about something all students have to think about each semester—the cost of textbooks. This is not a small matter, because textbooks can end up costing hundreds of dollars each semester, and it seems that each year the cost of textbooks is a bigger and bigger chunk of college expenses. When I was in college, amazingly 40 years ago, there really was no question—everyone bought the textbook for each class. Of course, things have changed a lot over the years, and you now have several options to consider when dealing with textbook costs.

Before making any decisions concerning textbooks, be clear whether each of your classes requires a textbook. This information is always in the syllabus for each class, but you can also check with your college bookstore to see what is required. Remember that classes may: (a) have no required textbook; (b) require you to buy a physical textbook (new or used), an ebook of the textbook, or either; (c) require you to buy a new physical textbook that includes a digital code for online access to certain information; or (d) may not require a textbook, but recommend a textbook. In this last case, you may have to wait a few weeks to determine whether you need to be reading the textbook.

If you do have a required textbook, there are several ways to deal with costs. I will list each way and give a few advantages and disadvantages of each.

1) Buy a new physical textbook

Advantages

  1. you can write in it, bend back tops of pages, etc.
  2. a textbook in your major may be worth keeping, as well as textbooks that help you with other course
  3. you have access to it all the time
  4. you might find it easier to read a physical textbook

Disadvantages

  1. most expensive of all the ways to deal with textbook costs, although you can reduce your costs by buying from Amazon or other online book dealers, and directly from the publisher—school bookstores are usually the highest priced for buying and renting textbook
  2. if you sell back your textbook, you will only receive a percentage of the original cost of the textbook—this percentage will decrease if the textbook is damaged (including writing/highlighting) or if a new edition is being published soon
  3. can be a pain to bring to class or the library–textbooks are usually quite heavy
  4. can be stolen

good grades-books2) Buy a used physical textbook

Advantages

  1. much cheaper than buying a new textbook
  2. used textbooks can be purchased from the same places as new textbooks
  3. you can write in it, bend back tops of pages, etc.
  4. a textbook in your major may be worth keeping, as well as textbooks that help you with other courses

Disadvantages

  1. although you can sell back a used textbook, but you will likely receive much less than selling back a new textbook—this amount will depend on the textbook’s condition (including writing/highlighting in the textbook) or if a new edition is being published soon
  2. can be a pain to bring to class or the library–textbooks are usually quite heavy
  3. can be stolen

3) Buy an ebook

Advantages

  1. it is much cheaper than buying the physical textbook
  2. you do not have to bring the textbook with you to class or the library—you can access the ebook as long as you can get to a computer
  3. cannot be stolen

Disadvantages

  1. you need a computer to read it, and some people do not like reading on a computer
  2. you cannot sell it back
  3. you cannot write directly in an ebook
  4. you cannot keep it—most ebooks are good for the semester you bought it for

4) Rent a physical book

Advantages

  1. it is significantly cheaper than buying a new physical textbook or ebook
  2. you are being environmentally conscious—renting typically leads to fewer textbooks, less paper, and more trees
  3. if you decide to buy your rental textbook at the end of the semester, you can typically do so

Disadvantages

  1. if you damage a rental textbook (e.g., writing/highlighting in it) you will be charged the full price of the textbook
  2. there are usually strict deadlines for turning the rental textbook back in
  3. sometimes rental companies do not have the edition you need
  4. can be a pain to bring to class or the library–textbooks are usually quite heavy

5) Rent an ebook

Advantages

  1. it is significantly cheaper than buying a new physical textbook or ebook
  2. you are being environmentally conscious—renting typically leads to fewer textbooks, less paper, and more trees
  3. you do not have to bring the textbook with you to class, but can access the ebook as long as you can get to a computer
  4. will not be stolen

Disadvantages

  1. sometimes rental companies do not have the edition you need
  2. you need a computer to read it, and some people do not like reading on a computer
  3. you cannot sell it back
  4. you cannot write directly in an ebook
  5. you cannot keep it—most ebooks are only good for the semester you bought it for

girlread-868786_6406) Share a textbook or ebook with one or more classmates—an option that I feel more students should at least consider

Advantages

  1. may be the cheapest way to deal with costs, depending on the number of students who share with you
  2. may promote working with others
  3. you are being environmentally conscious—sharing (at least for physicaltextbooks) will lead to fewer textbooks, less paper, and more trees
  4. you do not have to be in control of the textbook at all times

Disadvantages

  1. coordinating how the textbook will be shared can be difficult, and may lead to you not having the textbook when you need it
  2. the writing/highlighting in the textbook by others may negatively impact your reading and studying
  3. each member of your “sharing group” may be required to bring the textbook to class on certain days, but that will be impossible

7) Reading a textbook that your Instructor puts on reserve at the library or another site on campus—does not occur that often

Advantages

  1. no cost
  2. you are being environmentally conscious—reading a reserve copy will lead to fewer textbooks, less paper, more trees
  3. you do not have to bring the textbook with you to class or the library
  4. will not be stolen

Disadvantages

  1. you can only get access to the textbook when the textbook’s location is open
  2. you cannot write in the textbook
  3. others may be reading the textbook when you want to read it
  4. you cannot keep it

So there you go. It is a lot to think about, but important, because as I said earlier, textbook costs will be a constant during your years in college. Think about what will work best for you. Good Luck!

Please note that the comments of Dr. Golding and the others who post on this blog express their own opinion and not that of the University of Kentucky.

Use the Summer For Career Planning!!!

Jonathan Golding Uncategorized

Summer Break is starting, and although everyone needs to refresh, this break is a perfect time to work on career planning. Despite students having this free time, I keep meeting with undergrads (often in their junior and senior years) after the summer who have wasted their summer months and done absolutely nothing with regard to career planning Of course, these students have made a major mistake that typically leads to a great deal of anxiety and frustration with each passing day.

What should students be doing during the summer? Before anything, they need to get a better handle on the idea that career planning: (a) starts sooner versus later (e.g., immediately upon entering college); and (b) requires a lot of time and effort. In some ways career planning is a never-ending process until one really gets immersed in a career path (e.g., attends graduate school). It is unclear whether these individuals thought a career was going to be thrown into their laps.

doors-1767563_640Once a person gets a clue that career planning is a process that requires a lot of time and effort, they need to get off their butt (you heard me right!) and be an active participant in their career planning. There are people who can help with career planning, like Professors and careers counselors, but the real nitty-gritty of career planning requires a person to move forward on their own. In my mind, one can active in their career planning by navigating a series of “steps”. Keep in mind that these steps are not necessarily sequential, they can occur during the school year and in the summer, and they can definitely overlap. Here we go:

(1) Take certain courses

Whether you are taking formal courses on a college campus, or completing online courses, there are certain courses you should consider that go well beyond typical introductory courses, and that will group together based on your career direction. For example, someone focused on a career in mental health may select courses like Personality, Abnormal Psychology and Child Psychopathology. However, someone with an interest in Law may select Forensic Psychology and other law-related courses in other majors (e.g., Political Science, Criminology). I should note that if you plan on going to graduate school or professional school the selection committees will also like to see that you took challenging courses (e.g., math and science courses).

(2) Do well in your courses

Whether it is a graduate school or job, selection committees want to see good grades. It’s pretty simple, if you were choosing someone, who would you pick, the person with the higher or lower GPA. Remember that your record is evaluated on a number of grading dimensions: grades in certain courses, overall GPA, GPA in your major, GPA in your minor (if you have one), last two years in college GPA, and maintaining a high GPA from your freshman year on. I will add that if you do not get an A or B in a course you should probably repeat the course, especially if it was a course in your major.

(3) Don’t just go to class

It is important that you highlight your motivation and interest in whatever you hope to have a career. One way you can do this in college is to get involved in research, whatever your major. I can hear some of you now arguing that research is not what you want to do. The key is that getting involved in research (not even in the exact area as your main interest) shows you are motivated and interested in a specific area. Getting involved in research can also possibly increase your GPA if your research is part of a course. Finally, by conducting research you get to know a faculty member who can write you a strong letter of recommendation when you are ready to apply to graduate school or for a job.

Other ways to get involved in activities outside of the classroom are through an internship, involvement in extracurricular activities (e.g., volunteering), joining an organization tied in to your interest area, and/or work experience related to your area of interest.

(4) Develop critical skills

Whatever career path you take will require you to have critical skills over and above your general knowledge. It will be important for you to develop skills in computers, writing, and oral communication that will supplement what you already know. Such skills are invaluable for whatever you do in the future. Start developing these skills right away!

(5) Visit the Career Center

If you are on a college campus, is there a Career Center? Do you know where it is located? Have you ever visited the Career Center? For most students, it is sad to say that the answer is probably “no” to all of these questions. But, the Career Center is a definite place you should visit—probably more than once. The professional staff at a career center can help you write a resume, give you advice on cover letters and personal statements, and offer an amazing array of resources on career issues like internship possibilities, job openings, entrance exams, and graduate and professional schools. In most cases, you pay for the Career Center—use it!

goalplansuccess-1240825_640-1(6) Get on the Internet

We all know that the Internet is our friend. In the case of career planning, it is can be your best friend. There is simply so much information on the Internet that you should be spending a significant amount time searching out career-related information. First, you can read through various online career sites. Of course, I will plug my own site if you are a Psychology major (scoutiescareersinpsychology.org), because I think it can be really helpful. Of course, there are a variety of other online sites for other majors, but be wary of sites that emphasize a lot of for-profit schools. Second, there are government sites that give a lot of information on various career paths—one great site is the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Second, every school that has a graduate/professional degree program will have a site. Third, a lot of good sites exist about preparing for entrance exams (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.). These exams are not to be taken lightly, and can be the difference between getting accepted or not accepted to a school. One last thought on searching the Internet. Make sure you take your time searching–do not think you will accomplish everything in an afternoon. There is a lot of information you will have to read through, so plan accordingly.

(7) Interact with Professors (if in college) or your boss (if working)

To move forward with your career requires having the support of superiors. Gaining this support will require your superiors to actually know you. Think about it, how can your Professor or your boss write you a letter of recommendation unless they know something about you. Thus, start interacting with your superiors. Talk to them. For example, you might make a contribution in class or just visit your Professor during office hours and have a conversation about issues in their field of study. These interactions can lead to certain jobs, hearing about job openings, and (of course) a letter of recommendation. I know it might be tough talking to a superior, but it is really important to get over your fear and interact. You’ll be surprised how easy it is, and you will reap the benefits.

Now that you know the things that you should be doing, I hope you will start moving forward with your career plans. Again, I know you just want to have fun during the summer, but is an ideal time to get started planning for the future—your future!

Please note that the comments of Dr. Golding and the others who post on this blog express their own opinion and not that of the University of Kentucky.

Special Guest Writer–Amara Tanweer (undergraduate): Take Advantage of Education Abroad!

Jonathan Golding Education Abroad, Study Abroad, Uncategorized ,

Like many students, I thought studying abroad was an experience I just was not destined to have. I only began to consider it towards the end of my sophomore year of college. There were several reasons for deciding to pursue this opportunity. First, it gave me an excuse to travel. I did not have a lot of exposure to other cultures, and I thought this had hindered my growth and perspective as a person. Second, studying abroad would assist with the pursuit of my career and educational goals. I am planning to get a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology, and I thought studying abroad would make me stick out from my competitors. Third, I would not be opposed to working abroad upon completing my advanced degree, and I believed that being exposed to other cultures and understanding a culture’s impact on psychological techniques, would prepare me to be a better psychologist. Finally, I wanted to challenge myself – to throw myself into the unknown and make the best of it.

studyabroad1

The logistics of selecting a program was not as difficult as I thought it would be. The Education Abroad Office at my university was a tremendous help with the application and payment process, and I utilized their assistance frequently. I decided to study abroad the Spring semester of my Junior year. I did not want to go during the Fall semester because there was a possibility of overlapping dates with some programs. That is, the end date of the study abroad program could go past the first few days of classes of the spring semester at my home university. I selected an “exchange” program, which essentially meant that I paid the same amount of tuition as at my home university. I am an in-state student, so this worked out in my favor. In addition, it was important that I chose a study abroad program that was affordable. I chose the cheapest program in terms of housing costs as well as overall cost of living in the particular region I was looking at. Related to this last point, I applied for and received several education abroad scholarships, which helped significantly. The study abroad program I selected was the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, England.

studyabroad2Overall, my education abroad experience was incredible, and I am humbled to have had this time overseas. I would highly recommend studying abroad as it provides valuable life lessons. I accomplished all of my goals, gained valuable insight into how culture can affect psychology, and was able to network with many professors and other students. I will end on this note: studying abroad is not an opportunity that is out of reach. There are many benefits, and with the help of your school’s Education Abroad office, it really is much more feasible than you realize!

Please note that the comments of Dr. Golding and the others who post on this blog express their own opinion and not that of the University of Kentucky.