Uni books. Mature student. I'm so screwed!

[NeonBella]

There's literally nothing I can do about this and starting this thread will achieve nothing but...
I've just had my next year modules confirmed today and have logged on to the uni site to check out my reading list.
Baring in mind that I've only looked at the first semesters core reading (now too traumatised to look at sem 2!).
It's looking like close to £300 for 3 modules core reading material.
Fucking hell!!

I'm a lp. This is not going to happen. I guess I'm pretty much screwed.
Fuck.my.life.

Second hand?

Library or second hand?

EBay or ads at the Uni from students who have finished. Is anything online?

Does your university have a second hand book sale? There might be a hardship fund? I work at university and the staff are putting in extra to the hardship fund to help students this year.

You'll be about to use the Library, and core texts should be available as eBooks to access online.

It's often worth purchasing core texts but not £300 of them!

Second hand is the way I'll be going.
I need to find out if I can get older editions because they're quite a bit cheaper. Fingers crossed.

In the 2 years I've been studying I've not yet managed to get any of my core reading from the library. It's frustrating but as soon as the modules are confirmed, students who live on campus make a beeline to the library and snap them up.
There are e copies available but I struggle to use these to study. I seem to need the actual book for it to sink in.

I'm just venting. It's hard enough being a lp and studying full time without trying to figure out how on earth I can afford the essential books set by the module organisers.

This is potentially bad advice but I wouldn't buy them at all. Having just done a uni course as a mature student and bought lots of books I didn't use - commonly unis use books and chapters that are available online through the university library site, or common texts are available in bulk physically in the uni library. Also a lot of reading will be supplemented by online journal articles which are also online through uni log in. So can you contact your course and ask if any are available online and if not, if they would recommend any alternative texts that are because you shouldn't be penalised as a mature student for not being able to buy the (expensive) books they have set!

• you'll be able, that should say 🤦🏻‍♀️

University library? I barely bought any books at uni...

@NeonBella sorry I cross posted with you. That's awful that they don't offer them all online! I would still recommend asking them for other recommendations that you can access?

@PragmaticWench
Thanks for that. I'll look into any kind of hardship fund.

I'll manage. I'm just freaking out a bit. Tomorrow I'll send some emails and start making plans.
Tonight is my panic night.

Crossed posts. Sounds like, if you can't find second hand books, you're going to have to get used to reading e-copies.

Speak to the university. No one should be disadvantaged this way, either they ensure enough copies in the library, or eBook versions online, or help to buy the books if there’s no other way. Be open with them that this is an issue for you.

If all other suggestions fail: go to the (public) library and ask for an interlibrary loan for the books.
Be cautious of 2nd hand books, double check that you have the right edition / print run as texts can be altered to include science/ technology / ... advances.

I agree with try not to buy any. If there are some you can't avoid, Abebooks is always a good shout.

Put the titles on here...

You never know!

@OneStepOneStumble

This is potentially bad advice but I wouldn't buy them at all. Having just done a uni course as a mature student and bought lots of books I didn't use - commonly unis use books and chapters that are available online through the university library site, or common texts are available in bulk physically in the uni library. Also a lot of reading will be supplemented by online journal articles which are also online through uni log in. So can you contact your course and ask if any are available online and if not, if they would recommend any alternative texts that are because you shouldn't be penalised as a mature student for not being able to buy the (expensive) books they have set!

This isn't bad advice at all OneStep. This is my area of work & this is exactly what I'd recommend.

OP, re physical vs online texts - I sympathise. Many students do prefer hard copy but it's worth working on this. In these Covid times, being comfortable using etexts is very important.

Most ebooks offer nifty features like highlighting, bookmarking & so on. Look for any library tutorials / classes on offer to help with all of this.

That is rough OP. Where I work, we give students their core reading for free. It's a huge amount on a low budget.

Would your department be willing to circulate an email from you to year groups above you in case anyone is looking to sell their books 2nd hand? I would have suggested putting up an ad, but there are probably lots of students studying online just now.

@OneStepOneStumble that's pretty good advice. Thanks.
I'm just flabbergasted at the cost of the core texts. And just for sem 1!

@StoneColdBitch
Yes I think you're right. I think e books are the way forward.

Does your University have a bursary/support fund for people on a lower income to help with study related costs?

I use it with The Open University and they help with costs for a laptop, printer, ink, books etc

If not then second hand, try worldofbooks

Decades back, my FE college used to have reference-only copies of core texts. Suggest to the library they do this.
And yes, I’d put a list on here, look for students who want to sell their copies, email or check any local second-hand bookshops. I got a number of books that way.

E-books! I'm a mature student on my second science degree and haven't needed physical books. Or failing that, lots of Unis have Facebook pages or something run by the SU where graduates sell their books at a significantly reduced price. Note: you hardly ever need the brand new edition as little changes year on year, so you can always save money buying an older edition.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff wow! I want to come to your uni!

Thanks so much everyone for the suggestions and advice. It is very much appreciated.

beigeisthenewblack that is an excellent idea!
I'll email my advisor tomorrow and ask her. She's generally pretty helpful so I think if it's possible she'll know.