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At the beginning of the semester, you will get a syllabus from each of your classes and it has all the important information such as exam/assignment dates and required class supplies. Usually, most classes require a textbook which is used to supplement the class materials. However, textbooks can cost over $100, and when you add up the costs of textbooks for each class, it can be intimidating. Most of the classes I took and the ones I am currently taking require textbooks. However, I have not spent any money so far on textbooks and I am going to share three tips on how to save money on textbooks!

1. Tufts reserve at Tisch Library and Interlibrary loan
I found this resource when I began working at the library. The Tisch Library has Tufts reserve which are textbooks and other books that professors request for classes that can be borrowed by students. This is convenient because you do not have to purchase the textbooks and the exact edition/copy that the professors want is available for you. There are a couple of caveats. The first is that you cannot take it out of the library, so you have to study in the library when using the textbook from the reserves. The second is that there are usually only a couple of copies, so it may not be available at the time that you want to use it. However, each person gets around two hours and you can check how many copies are available on the Tisch Library website.

The interlibrary loan, on the other hand, is available to check out the book and take it out of the library. If Tisch library or other Tufts affiliated libraries do not carry a book that you need for a class, you can request it through the Interlibrary loan. In the request, you can choose from bookstores/other university libraries and give a reason for the need for the book you want. If approved, you get a whole semester to use the book so you can return it at the end of the semester which is convenient. 

2. Amazon rent/renting from any of the online bookstores 
If the library or the interlibrary loan does not have the textbook you need, you can also rent books. I found that renting textbooks is cheaper than purchasing them. Also, renting used books is even cheaper. Used books can be helpful because they usually have annotations and notes that may help you understand the materials better. Some of my friends have used Amazon rent and they say that it is convenient because the delivery is quick and you just return it at the end of the semester. If you cannot find it on Amazon, it might be available at other bookstores where you can rent. 

3. Tufts Facebook class pages and other Tufts Facebook groups
I found some of my textbooks on Facebook pages with Tufts students. Upperclassmen who are graduating or those who do not need the textbook anymore post textbooks to give away for free or for very low prices. Facebook pages are especially helpful because these textbooks are the ones they used for the exact same class and usually the same professor for the class you are searching the book/s for. Therefore, I like to check the Facebook pages at the beginning of the semester. This semester, I got three of the textbooks required for my classes for free from seniors who were graduating that no longer needed the textbooks. 

I hope these tips are helpful and hope you have a great semester!