So, the semester is over and it’s time to move on to the next level of your college education. Or better yet, the day has finally come when you can say goodbye to your dear college. But hold on, there are other things to say goodbye to.
Asides from the old classrooms, labs, campus grounds, libraries, eateries, and other spots that made your college stay memorable; there are a few more things to move on from. That’s right, your old, stacked-up college textbooks.
You see, knowing what to do with old books is a common conundrum college students and grads face. However, it’s very important to know what to do with old textbooks because they’re nothing but extra baggage at some point.
So, what can you do? What should you do? Read on as we look at the best ways to get the most out of your old textbooks.
How To Make The Most Use Of Your Old Textbooks
Firstly, what’s the big deal with old college textbooks? Why’s it so important that you know what to do with old textbooks?
You see, the biggest problem old college textbooks cause is waste accumulation. Tons of waste surface the earth due to poorly disposed of books. And because papers take long periods to decompose, they’re a huge problem.
So, environmental health checks aside, what have we got for you today? Let’s get started, shall we?
Donate Your Old College Textbooks
This, by far, is the easiest solution to the pressing problem of what to do with old college textbooks. So, you’re done with a particular semester or session, and you’ve got yourself 5-8 textbooks you don’t need anymore; what next?
While you can choose to stack them up on your shelf and risk having your room clotted with tons of paper, there’s the simple option of donating these books. Think about it, you have no need for them, but there are others out there who do, most especially your junior colleagues.
And being the selfless, angelic creature you are, you’ll want to lend a hand (or, in this case, a paperback) to your neighbors, won’t you? Yeah, we know you want to. We know for a fact the pleasure that comes from seeing your old materials and textbooks be of use to others in need.
“Okay, I’m in, you’ve convinced me, but how do I donate my old textbooks?” Don’t fret dear ones, we came prepared. Here are various examples of how you can donate your old college textbooks
- Donate to Libraries: the most obvious choice. When people think of books, be they educational, leisurely, or whatever genre, the library is the first point of call. So, instead of reckoning what to do with old textbooks for hours, simply head out to a local library to donate your treasure.
- Donate to Charity Organizations: The beauty of this world lies in the thousands of global organizations striving to make the world a better place. And if you want to be a part of this, you can simply donate your old college textbooks to these organizations such as the salvation army and thrift stores. This way, you’re sure your old textbooks are heading to the shelves of those who need them.
- Books for Africa: still on the subject of donating, Books for Africa aims to solve the educational drought in the African regions. And one way you can help is by donating old college textbooks that’ll boost the educational exposure of young, eager African minds.
- Better World books: across the eastern plains of the US lie several drop-off points for Better World books. And as such, you’ll be lending a hand to an organization devoted to boosting educational opportunities through book reselling strategies.
Sell Your Old Textbooks
“I’m a college student, and I need to make extra money. Send help.” Yeah, you don’t need to say that anymore if you’ve got some old textbooks lying around. That’s because reselling old college textbooks is the most common and lucrative way of getting rid of books you don’t need anymore.
There will always be one student, or two, or a whole class of them who need some materials and textbooks to get through a course. What happens when you own such a textbook? You get nothing but green paper.
The perk of this reselling strategy is that students will be inclined to purchase from you instead of bookshops due to price value. However, you do need to make sure your textbook’s condition is pristine, or the reselling idea is a no-go.
Another good and profitable option is to sell your books online with BookScouter.com. In this case, you don’t need to look for students who want to buy from you. The best thing about BookScouter is that it helps you compare the prices of your textbook from over 30 book-buying websites. To get rid of books for money, just enter the ISBN, and you’ll get a list of several vendors willing to buy your books, along with the price they offer for your titles, you’ll get a list of several vendors willing to buy your books along with the price they offer for your titles. All you need to do is decide where to sell your textbook at a maximum price. So if you want to save your time and get the most out of your old textbooks, use BookScouter to compare prices from different places that buy books.
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♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Recycle Your Old Textbooks
And we’re back to the environmental health talks. If you can’t find where to donate your books and you realize they’re in no condition to be sold, there’s still one way left; recycling textbooks. When thinking about what to do with old college textbooks, especially those in terrible condition, the safest bet is to dispose of them in recycling bins.
There’s always a recycling center or recycling disposal bin near you. So, if you’ve got yourself a bunch of worn-out, sad-looking, old college textbooks, it’s about time you gave them a befitting end.
Trade Your Textbooks
Asides from the three holy grails of what to do with old college textbooks, there are other ways you can declutter books and organize your room. One example is to trade your textbooks.
There will be other items, or even books in particular, that pick your interest. Why not use what you have to get what you want? You can trade your books with friends for game consoles, materials, CDs, or even a piece of clothing.
Also, you can make your book trade easier by using platforms like Paperback Swap and BookMooch. These platforms allow you to swap books you don’t need for other books you so desperately want.
Turn Your Old Textbooks Into Useful Décor
Finally, you can turn these old textbooks of yours into creative art pieces. If you ever find yourself unable to dispose of old textbooks but still don’t know what to do with old college textbooks, why not turn them into beautiful art pieces you can admire all day?
There are numerous DIY Craft projects you can learn online, and each one will teach you a different way to get the most out of old textbooks. From paper angels you can hang on the walls to paper maché crafts, there are tons of options you can turn your old textbooks into. It’s also a great way to spend time bonding with the little, restless siblings in the household.
See the list with 9 awesome Halloween book decor ideas.
Conclusion
Textbooks are useful tools that aid learning and make studying for courses a breeze. However, every tool has its lifespan, and for most textbooks, the lifespans don’t extend beyond your college stay. So, if it’s your turn to say goodbye to old textbooks, why not do it the right way with the tips above?
