I just watched a kid break down in the bookstore because his books for the semester totaled $600 and that’s the american university system in a nutshell
I was on the verge of tears when I got to the cashier…
Hi, I’m interrupting my porn to comment on this. I’ve worked in publishing and I’m now working in academia, so I’ve seen this from both ends. The whole system is broken: both academics and students end up severely disadvantaged. But until the issue is fixed, do not pay for your textbooks.
The resources I require my students to use are 90% free and I try to keep purchased materials for my class under $30. If your courses are not providing options like these, please use the free resources that are listed in this post.
Education is one of the most effective ways to break out of the cycle of poverty, but higher education’s extreme cost is also one of the main ways larger organizations like Prentice Hall ensure that you stay there. You should not be paying more than double or triple a month’s groceries – depending on your situation – for books.