Are completely and utterly frustrating and EXPENSIVE!!!
2 of my subjects require the same text as last year, however there are new editions this year..... How do kids afford uni??? Second hand texts are impossible to buy when they are updated yearly.....
So my question - is it essential to get the new edition or will l get by with the books I have??
It depends on the field but generally you would just use the editions that you have. Obviously when they begin a new course they will use the most updated text but they wouldn't expect you to buy it if you already have a recent edition. A lot of students get second hand ones or just use the library copies.
I frequently use older editions, and TBH rely heavily on the library rather than buying my own texts. I make an exception for midwifery books that I will likely refer to for a long time, but I refuse to buy a medication book for $160 that will be redundant in 12 months.
depends on the subject. I used an older edition a couple of times because I refused to fork out nearly $200 for a book I already had. I actually found a couple of times that the only difference (checking word for word with the new edition) was that they changed the order of the content. Very frustrating. Or they simply added additional graphs/charts/pictures.
So if they say "read pages 192-200" just check the topic you should be reading as it might be in a different spot in the book.
Yeah it depends on the subject as to whether you can use them. SOmetimes our lecturers have told us either edition will be fine in some cases because they know it can be hard to get them. Check out the Book Depository website though, I've gotten a few from there that are only a fraction of the cost of getting them here in Aus.
I have the same issue with my text books this year, but instead of buying the newer versions, I'm just going to photocopy anything I need from the books in the library.
Trill- I never even thought of the book depository I buy all my non text books from there so I'm surprised they do texts.
The subjects are research design and statistics (or psychology stats - $160) and counselling/interpersonal skills ($95)
Our month is just tight as is (new student fees, 2 car regos, car insurance, dance, swimming and books) psych I was most worried about but the lecturer has now said edition 8 is fine
It's pretty hit and miss with the texts from there though. A lot of teaching stuff is obviously australian based so it's hard to get but your couse might be different like that. But there are other sites like booktopia and seekbooks that are cheap as well.
It really does depend on the subject. I often just use out of date ones, but update key things myself. But for alot of my law subjects, out of date doesn't cut the mustard, because laws can change so quickly.
If you can use last years edition, I'd do that. No need to waste money.
I never buy text books that dont specifically relate to my Profession. For example, we do Units which are related to Mental Health, Spirituality & Nursing Research. I didn't buy any of the texts relating to these subjects as I felt there were a waste of money for 1 semeseter.
However, if its texts relating to Midwifery which I will use for some time to come, I always buy the reccommended texts.
I agree with LimeSlice, get online. Fishpond is soooooo cheap and has free shipping. Ebay is good if your quick. I've never brought from Amazon.
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