How do student survive?

Gloomendoom

The_One_Who wrote: »

My library never had a reference section, the shortest loan was four hours. Different classes had different numbers of texts, with one only having a few for everyone. If I can manage it then I'm sure others can too as long as they learn to work things to their advantage.

You managed, doing your course, at your university.

It won't work for every student, on every course, at every university, no matter how hard they try.

The_One_Who

Many students just assume that they'll need the books suggested and go out and buy them, often before the first lecture even. The fact is that for the majority, they will not need these books. So many students buy books (which aren't cheap) and then hardly ever use them. It's a complete waste of money. If there is a book that you know you are going to need on a daily basis (which can be ascertained after a few weeks) for the next year or more, then obviously buying it might be a good investment.

A lot of students don't bother to learn how to use the library effectively. All students, on every course, should be doing outside reading. These will be found in the library, and come exam time they will have to be resourceful with what they can get instead of relying on a reading list. Of course there are always journal articles which should be being used regularly.

Gloomendoom

^^^^^^^

Now that, I can't disagree with.

7891368

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Yes, you were lucky. 25 students doing a module, three course texts in the library. One reference, two for lending.

Unfortunately, somebody is going to be unlucky and have to buy the book.

300 do some of my modules at the same time. I have to buy certain books, you were very lucky!

Gloomendoom

7891368 wrote: »

300 do some of my modules at the same time. I have to buy certain books, you were very lucky!

Tell me about it!

I'm viewing the problem from the other side of the fence.

ViolaLass

7891368 wrote: »

300 do some of my modules at the same time. I have to buy certain books, you were very lucky!

Are there other libraries you can use? I ask only because the students at my uni would go only to the uni library. Admittedly, I was lucky because I was in London but there were so many other places I could go to and did, because they almost always had the books I needed and there was little competition.

melancholly

Gloomendoom wrote: »

You managed, doing your course, at your university.

It won't work for every student, on every course, at every university, no matter how hard they try.

maybe it won't help every student, but if it helps the ones on here to select which books they need to buy versus which ones they don't need or which ones they have reasonable access to in a library (or which ones you only need one chapter so you can photocopy it in the library rather than spending a fortune). or even which library books cover very similar content to the set books so you don't need to get the exact edition of the exact book on the reading list.

you can find ways to help the situation or you can find problems and excuses for spending money. when there is no money to spend, you'd be amazed at what you can manage! and once you're through the course, hindsight makes a difference......!

Smidster

Gloomendoom wrote: »

All these comments about students getting books from the library to save money are somewhat unrealistic. Students are expected to buy the course texts and the libraries usually only hold two or three copies of each book.

Unfortunately, secondhand books are not always a viable option either as some books are specially published for a specific course and the content may change every year.

Sorry but I think that is rubbish.

There were 300 people on my course and I got by perfectly well without buying any books. Yes it did mean having to be organised and getting to the library quickly as well as using the different services offered by the library (such as short loans) but I managed fine. Also found using old editions was fine as for the more part the information was exactly the same and had resources like the internet as a backup.

Do agree that there is a big problem with universities sending out book lists going over numerous pages. In reality there will be 1 main book which the lecturer will have used (or in many cases nicked the power points from) and any additional books are for referencing to when producing essays etc.

Gloomendoom

If it was rubbish there wouldn't be so many students complaining about the cost of books.

melancholly

Gloomendoom wrote: »

If it was rubbish there wouldn't be so many students complaining about the cost of books.

fine, poor you, there is no other alternative but you spending lots and lots of money you don't have.... if that's the only thing you want to hear, then ok. people are trying to help and give options. if you think absolutely none of us have any that will help you, go spend the money. once you've graduated, i'm pretty certain your opinion will change, but for now, stick to your guns and get in more debt if that's what you want.