The summer before freshmen year, incoming students are sent a variety of emails regarding textbooks, laptops and school supplies. It may seem overwhelming and confusing at times, especially when a single textbook can cost more than $300.

After a semester or two, students find their own niche in purchasing textbooks.

“Personally, I purchase only the required textbooks for my classes,” said Jack Hughes, sophomore in agronomy. “I also do not remove the packaging from my books until they are used in class so I can return them if need be.”

Once notified of the books that are required for classes, it helps to compare prices between new, used and rental books across different sources.

“I normally get all of my books through [the university] bookstore at the best available price, but this year I was able to find one of my books for nearly $20 cheaper by renting it through Amazon,” said Sam Romig, junior in forestry.

The bookstore also offers early-bird textbook pickup, which is beneficial when you want to ensure you get your required textbooks right when you get on campus. This process involves ordering your books online before the semester starts and picking them up at a specific time and location before classes begin.

“Months before my freshman year I started thinking about laptops,” Hughes said. “I was lucky enough to receive my MacBook Pro as a graduation present.”

Unlike Hughes, others may have to purchase their laptops on their own, and it’s wise to look around at prices before going through with a purchase.

“I found the best deal on my Dell laptop at Best Buy,” Romig said. “I felt as if I had more options to choose from there personally because the bookstore was more focused on Apple products.”

Some students find that the bookstore has cheaper prices because it offers a student discount, which can save students at least $100. It also offers occasional discounts throughout the year.

“Asking my peers about supplies for college and textbooks for specific classes is always crucial in helping me be prepared for the upcoming semester,” Hughes said. “Don’t be afraid to ask around and test out different options when purchasing anything for college, especially textbooks.”