Textbooks serve multiple purposes, which can make them difficult to navigate. First and foremost, they need to convey the information needed to complete your assignments, but they also need to be written in such a way that they’re easy to understand. And while some professors expect you to buy the assigned textbook, others provide cheaper alternatives or even allow you to use outside materials (like notes, books, and articles). All of these factors can make selecting the right textbook difficult — luckily, this short guide will make it simple!
1. What are Textbooks?
Textbooks are a course material that includes pre-written content that is meant to be studied by the student. Textbooks can be rented for a semester or purchased, depending on the school’s policy. They are usually only available at physical bookstores, but you can often find the cheapest prices via online bookstores, like eCampus.com.
2. How are textbooks different from other books?
Textbooks are different because they are typically used by a large number of people at one time (for curriculums) which means they are subject to heavy wear and tear. They are written by the world’s leading subject matter experts, geared toward teaching their audience in great detail the information needed to excel in a particular field.
3. Why do we use textbooks?
College textbooks are a necessary evil. They’re expensive, they take up a lot of space, and they’re tough to lug from class to class. However, they do have benefits. Textbooks are more rigorous than the lectures given by professors and can give you an additional perspective on what you’re learning. Not to mention, textbooks usually offer practice materials to test your level of understanding.
4. How can I get the most out of my textbook?
The best way to get the most out of your textbook is by making sure you use all the features that come with it. Whether it’s an etextbook, paperback, or hardcover, make sure you are taking advantage of all the textbook’s solutions. There may be embedded videos or hyperlinks to online resources to help you learn more about a certain topic. You might also have access to quizzes or flashcards that can help you remember key points from the book!
5. How can I save money on my textbooks?
Trying to save money? There are online resources to get free textbooks; however, we recommend against this. Not only could the materials be missing solutions, but in most cases, it is illegal. Try searching for cheap textbooks, such as on an ISBN look up website like eCampus.com, which allows you to do textbook price comparisons so that you can compare costs before purchasing.
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