It’s that time of year! As the new semester approaches, you’ll need to buy or rent your textbooks pretty soon.

There are so many options for buying textbooks now that the task can seem overwhelming! Should you buy brand-new textbooks, or used textbooks? Should you buy them from a company like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or should you get them from your campus bookstore? How much money can you expect to spend on your textbooks this semester?

There’s no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. When it comes to buying cheap textbooks, it ultimately comes down to what works best for you. In case you haven’t navigated the waters of buying textbooks yet, we’re here to help!

In the meantime, keep these three things in mind:

1. Buying vs. Renting — Something to consider when the time comes to purchase textbooks is that you don’t necessarily have to buy them. While many students choose to buy their textbooks for convenience, there are plenty of companies out there that offer textbook rentals instead. This may be more convenient for you if you don’t want to sell textbooks after the semester is over!
2. New vs. Used — If you make the decision to buy your textbooks instead of renting them, you’ll have to decide if you want to buy a brand-new textbook or a used textbook. If you buy a brand-new textbook, it will be more expensive than a used textbook would be, but it will also likely be in better condition. This means that your likelihood of selling textbooks back is higher. On the other hand, if you buy a used textbook, you will probably save more money upfront since a used textbook will be cheaper than a new one.
3. Probability of resale — If you buy a textbook with the intention of selling it back when the semester is over, make sure you take good care of it! You don’t want to treat a book badly and then expect to get a good price for it when the time comes to sell it again. Treat your books with respect and you will receive more money for them!

Try to keep these three points in mind as you begin the process of buying textbooks for your upcoming semester. It’s important to know what you should look for when you buy or rent your textbooks so that you can be certain to receive the best quality for your money!