7 Tips to Help with the High Cost of College Textbooks

When you first price college textbooks, you instantly understand why you don't want a student taking their courses too lightly. College textbooks are extremely expensive, but they are what they are. You may want to spend some time checking out alternatives to buying new textbooks.

It's difficult to put an estimated cost on textbooks per semester or year because there are many variables based on what courses of study a student takes. A student majoring in English will need many course books as well as others for research, and none of them are cheap. An engineering student can expect to have fewer books, but the ones used are very expensive.

Upon enrollment, students are given a list of the textbooks required for the semester. That is the time to immediately begin a quest to find books for the best prices possible. Pricing for new books is available from the college bookstore, but you want better pricing than that if at all possible.

Here are some suggestions on how to get the best bang for your buck with college textbooks:

1. Buy your books early. As soon as your child is enrolled, begin to look for all the options and the availability of materials.

2. Check with students who have just completed courses your child will be taking and barter for second hand books. You should comparison shop between former students to get the best resale price.

3. Buy based on individual book prices. Don't get into a situation where you buy all of the books from one person unless you can negotiate a price that has the lowest cost for all.

4. Check to see which textbooks you can rent. Not all course materials will have rental possibilities, but many do.

5. Encourage your child to find students who want to sell their books when they have completed courses your student plans to take.

6. Look for course materials in places other than the college bookstore.

7. Check online for textbooks, where former students may sell theirs. Additionally, some books are available online for download. Downloadable textbooks still have a cost, but it is much lower than that of the hard printed copies.

Be positive that you have the right books when you buy. Don't assume that the materials for a class remain the same for every semester. You don't get a bargain by buying outdated and relatively useless books, no matter what the price.

Developing Good Study Habits - The Earlier the Better

A large number of parents do not help their children develop good study habits during the formative years. Whether it is an oversight or because the adults in the family are tired from the workday, this is an often neglected part of parenting responsibilities.

Failure to properly motivate study can cause problems in high school leading to grades that are not as good as they could be. Poor study habits at the college level can mean the difference between passing and failing.

When Is It Too Late to Instruct?

Although it may be late to influence a child on how to study as a sophomore in high school, it is still better to begin there than when an 18-year old is leaving for college. Unfortunately, that is what happens in many situations.

If you still have a year or two to prepare for your child to attend college, take some time to observe their study habits.

Many students "study" while the television blares in the background or with headphones in their ears. This often is not an exception, but the rule. Of course, this is not the recommended way of learning, and after a child does it for some time, it seems normal, acceptable, and the preferred way to go about studying. When the time comes for college, learning a different routine will be difficult.

What to Expect from Poor Study Habits

Poor study habits in the middle and high school years will only lead to those that are just as bad or worse in college. It's easy to understand why so many college students never complete their studies. The material in college is harder than in high school, and the work done outside of class has less structure and fewer hours put toward it.

A parent may sound like a broken record to their child, but parents should continually stress the importance of having some quiet time every day in college to study. This may not work out in the dorm room because of a roommate, but there are usually places for communal study, supervised and quiet, such as the library.

Closely Watch the Early Grades

The student who has problems early in college is often the one who never studied properly in high school. Parents cannot go back in time and teach better habits, but they can keep close tabs on what happens in the first weeks of college before grades begin to slip. They can encourage study groups to enhance the understanding of harder subjects or look for tutors who will instill better studying habits for the new college student.

The earlier in your child's life you teach and enforce good study habits, the better, and setting the standard in the elementary years is highly recommended.

Tips for Handling College Roommate Problems

Everyone attending college with plans to room with another student is apprehensive about how things will go with a new roommate. This is an exciting time and everyone hopes for a pleasant experience. Most often, things turn out fine and each roommate quickly finds a new friend to help make the college transition easier. Occasionally though, there are roommate problems and here are some tips on dealing with them.

Mutual Respect - When sharing a room, it is important to respect each other's privacy and personal belongings. It is not okay to assume you can borrow something without asking. It is also not okay to eat and drink food and beverages that belong to your roommate unless offered to you. The relationship will fare much better if both roommates respect each other.

If your roommate does not respect your things or your privacy, you do not have to tolerate it. You should first politely discuss any issues with your roommate, and hopefully that will be the end of it. If not, it may become necessary to mention the problem once again, and if the roommate continues the behavior, you should take up the matter with the dormitory resident advisor.

Don't Live in Misery - If you just cannot tolerate your roommate and spending an entire semester or year with them is just more than you can bear, it is important to take steps to remedy the situation quickly. If you are miserable in the rooming situation, it will affect how well you do in school. Odds are if you are not happy with your roommate, they probably feel the same way you do.

First give considerable thought to what it is you do not like about your roommate. Do they party too much or have friends over too often? Are they messy or have terribly annoying habits? Some things may be fixable, and some may not. If the situation just isn't going to work, it is a good idea to discuss the problem with the resident advisor. Sometimes just talking to someone else about a problem is a big step toward solving it.

Remember that people are different, and not all people are compatible. Keep in mind that you will be attending school for two to four years, so avoid making an enemy if at all possible. You can discuss your feelings with your roommate without becoming angry, and while it is important to vent your frustrations, you should be willing to listen to their side as well.

Often times it may be that neither of you did anything wrong; maybe you just found a better fit for a roommate. Most importantly, address the situation maturely and honestly. Even if the situation ends with the two of you parting ways, it is still best to get things out in the open and make the change so that both of you can get your mind back on your studies and move on.

College Textbooks - Profiting from Used Books

When many think of college expenses initially, tuition, room, and board seem to be foremost in their minds. However, there are other expenses associated with college, and one of these is textbooks.

College textbooks are expensive, with required materials in a single course often costing hundreds of dollars. This is true at both expensive private schools and state community colleges. Most college students are always looking for ways to save money, and textbooks is one of those ways.

Many college bookstores offer compensation for used textbooks, but usually the amount paid for them is extremely low, regardless of how good a condition they are in. Some students like to keep some textbooks for some of their courses, but for the most part once a course is completed you have no need to store used textbooks.

The bookstores make more money on new textbooks, so of course they don't want to make it an attractive incentive to sell the used books back to them.

Another alternative that usually provides a better return on the cost is to sell the used books to other students at a discount over what they cost new. This can be done in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions:

1. School community bulletin boards - Most colleges have a central location where students can post advertisements, community news, and other campus information. This is a great place to post ads for used textbooks you have. Be sure to do so as early as possible after the term ends so students can view the ads prior to the start of the new session.

2. Social media websites - This is another great way to get the word out about used textbooks you have for sale. Take advantage of the communication power of websites like Facebook and Twitter to let others know you have discounted books to save them money on the courses you've already completed.

Some campus bookstores keep updated information on what textbooks will be required for a specific course and instructor. This way, it is easy to check online what books will be required for an upcoming course so a potential buyer can verify you have the books they will need.

Sometimes new editions are released that may outdate the books you have for sale, but often times if you or the potential buyer checks with the instructor, they will allow the dated version to be used for the course.

Selling used textbooks is a great way to help cover the cost of those you will need to purchase for the next term, so don't store them away on a shelf when you might be able to use them to pick up some additional cash for school.

Two Year Versus Four Year Degree - Decision Making Tips

In your senior year of high school, it's time to give considerable thought to the next major step in your life. For many students, this involves a decision about furthering their education and thinking about the kind of job they'd like to pursue in their professional life.

Students planning to attend college need to decide whether to pursue a two or four year degree. Here are some things to consider when deciding which type of degree is best for you.

1. Time and Expense - College costs money and requires an investment of time. A popular choice for many is to obtain a two-year associates degree and head right on into the workforce. For those who want to pursue their bachelor degree, it is always something they can do later if they choose. Two-year institutions offer a wide variety of vocational degrees, and opting for a two-year program saves both time and money.

2. Location - Where a school is located has a lot to do with cost as students may be in need of room and board. The majority of two-year colleges are geared toward commuting students, and usually they can live at home with their parents or find off campus housing in a shared roommate style environment.

3. Career Jumpstart - Many students don't want to spend four years in college. They prefer to get a degree quickly and land a job in the workforce faster so they can begin to earn money as soon as possible.

4. Four-Year Advantage - A four-year degree does take more time and more money, almost three times as much according to the College Board. However, there are some employers who favor a job candidate with a bachelor degree, and often times those with the higher degree do receive higher salaries depending on the type of degree and job position.

5. Area of Study - Not all areas of study are available in a two-year degree, so what a student plans to pursue will have something to do with the option chosen. There are also some degrees available in both associate and bachelor programs. For instance, a registered nurse can have an associate degree, a bachelor degree, or an advanced degree, and in most areas the nurse holding the associate degree earns the same salary as someone holding the bachelor.

There are several factors to be considered when choosing the type of degree you plan to pursue, and there are definite advantages to both types. A bit of research and planning is necessary in order to place yourself in the program that is right for you.

Tips on Choosing a College Major

One of the important challenges young adults face when attending college is choosing a major area of study. A lot of time and money is invested in a college education, and the field of study chosen is usually indicative of the career path these graduates will take.

Some students know exactly what they want to major in when they start college. Others may have an idea of a career they want to pursue but are unsure which majors are the right ones to get them there. It is also not uncommon for students to switch majors after entering college.

If a college freshman is not sure of a major, they should not feel overly pressured to choose one right away. Choosing the wrong major can be worse than choosing none at all. Many times simply talking to your college advisor is a solution as they can guide you and help you determine a field of study suited to you specifically.

Choosing a career is a very important life decision, and being passionate about your profession makes for a satisfying and rewarding life. Rather than rushing into a college major choice, it is better to give this decision plenty of thought and research. Talking to others in the same or similar field also helps in the decision making process.

Some degrees are much broader than others as far as career choices go. For instance, someone who pursues a nursing degree will be learning a specific trade and will most likely seek a position in the field of medicine. Someone who pursues a degree in computer science or business administration will have a wider range of career choices based on what is available.

For 4-year degrees, students typically have until the end of their 2nd year to select a major. For associate 2-year degrees, it is best to choose a field of study sometime during the first semester since the education duration is shorter.

The important thing is to take the time to research and explore the choices available. There are many different types of majors, and you may not even be aware of many of them until you begin to explore the choices at individual colleges. Take advantage of available resources including other students, people in specific professions, and of course your college advisor when choosing a college major. It will make your decision much easier.

3 Tips for High School Juniors

The Junior year of high school is often considered the “Golden Age” of the high school career, when students are comfortable in their school and not under last-year stress before college. It’s also the optimal time to think hard about your college plans, and their implication for future careers. While you don’t have to make any decisions immediately, preparing yourself with information and a well-structured set of goals is the first and critical step. Here are three quick tips for high school Juniors to put you on the right path:

1. Take time to think about what you like to do; dream and imagine ideal careers. With so many different types of jobs and careers, and more emerging every day, it can be overwhelming to try to visualize yourself in a job 3-5 years down the road. Even if you are fairly sure of a career choice, take the time in high school to explore similar (or even vastly different) careers. Explore all your options. Examine your likes and dislikes and take a few career-assessment tests. Answer the question, if you could have any job right now, what would it be -- and why? Don't let any barriers hold you back from finding the perfect career. Your education should be designed to suit your goals, not the other way around.

2. Challenge yourself in high school, but don't overwhelm yourself. High school is free education, a fact that you’ll appreciate when you are being faced with spending tens of thousands of dollars for college! When you can, take the tough and challenging schedule of classes; you'll learn more -- and it will look good to the college admissions staff. Obviously, you need to stay focused on getting good grades, but don't overload your schedule -- or yourself -- so that it makes you sick or burnt out. Be sure to include at least one fun course in your schedule.

3. Discuss careers and colleges with as many adults and other graduates as possible. The best way to find out about different careers is to ask people -- family, neighbors, friends, teachers, counselors -- to tell you about their career and college experiences. If you have not already, begin to build a network of adults who know you and are willing to assist you in your educational and career endeavors. And for careers that truly interest you, consider asking each person if you can shadow him/her at work. You could also consider conducting informational interviews at the same time as the shadowing, or as a less intrusive method of learning more about jobs and careers.

Making the Most of Your Summer Job

Whether you’re working this summer to save funds for college, or simply to earn a bit of spending money, your summer job can be another great resource for a strong college application. Even the most tedious of jobs, such as working fast-food, retail, or summer camps, can help you develop valuable skills and experience before head off to college.

Build Your Network

Bonding with your coworkers can not only make your job more enjoyable, but can also teach you a valuable lesson in teamwork, as well as build your connection to other students like yourself who will be entering the career workforce in 3-5 years. Take a moment to think about the people you're working with and what you've learned from them. While you won't be in your summer job forever, chances are you can walk away with a valuable life lesson that you've learned from working with your colleagues.

Keep The Education Mindset

While it might be tempted to put your brain on auto-pilot during the two months in which you’re flipping burgers, it would be a mistake. Your brain is a muscle, and like all muscles, it will atrophy if not used for long periods of time, leaving you struggling to get back into the educational mindset come September. Consider looking into learning opportunities at your summer job, whether it’s requesting additional training, cross-training for a different role in the same business, or taking on additional responsibilities in things like health and safety or inspections.

Learn Systems

One of the reasons that large franchise chains are so successful is due to their focus on systems and training. As an employee, you have a front-row seat for learning how large corporations break down the components of running a successful business into discrete tasks and operations. Observing how they run their businesses and train their employees can be valuable knowledge whether you’re going to be navigating the college application system shortly, or you’re going to be looking at a business-related program after high school.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Often times, high school students are tempted to push off college for a year or two years when their employer from a summer job offers them a full-time position. While each scenario is different, if you find yourself in this position, ask yourself if the summer job that you’re doing is something that you would be happy doing for 10 years (the equivalent amount of time you would need to equal your college education), or whether it’s something you could consider doing part-time while in college. College graduates on average earn far larger incomes and have more employment opportunities than high school graduates; look at the big picture before you make a decision.

College Support Assistance - Take Advantage of the System

When you head off to college, you might feel a bit alone at first. Being on your own at this stage of your life is essential in preparing for your future, but it doesn't mean you have to try to figure everything out all by yourself.

College support assistance exists for a reason, and that is to help students adjust and assure their success while in school.

Your Academic Advisor

Most colleges assign students an academic advisor. This is often a professor who teaches in your major field of study but not always. Your advisor is there to guide you in choosing the right courses to complete your degree. If you are undecided on a major field of study, your advisor can assist you with that as well.

Commuter Services

Some students don't live on campus and as commuters they have different needs than those who do. They don't have a dorm room, for example, to return to in between classes where they can rest or study. Many colleges offer commuter services to assist these students such as lounges they can use during their free time. Often there is designated parking for commuters, and there may even be resources to help them find housing off campus.

Medical Assistance

In the event you become ill or need other medical attention, most colleges have on campus clinics for this purpose staffed with qualified doctors and nurses. This is a great resource for treatment especially if you are in a new location and don't have a familiar physician.

Technology Assistance

It is highly likely that any student in college these days will need to use a computer for their coursework. Many colleges have specially designated staff to assist students with internet access and setup so they can stay up to speed in their studies.

The existence of college support assistance makes campus life easier, but only if you utilize the services. These assistance programs and organizations are designed specifically with the student in mind, so don't hesitate to use them to your advantage.