How to Get Textbooks for Cheap

I honestly dread buying textbooks, but I have found other cheap alternatives for buying your textbooks. First, you probably heard it before so I'll say it again: DO NOT buy your textbooks for your school's bookstore. Those textbooks are wayy overprice, for no good reason, at all, but to take poor freshmen's money.

1. Use Textbooks Comparison Sites

Bigwords.com, SlugBooks, and TextSurf are only a few of the many comparison sites out there. When using these sites, just kind of map out what other sites offers your book for the lowest price.

Tip: If you can avoid buying New books, please do. Used books are often in great condition and cost so much less than New books.

Renting a book, is totally a cheaper route than buying your books. Also, a good idea to use a comparison site to see where to rent from.

2. Used Textbooks Page for Your School

Often times, your specific school might have a Facebook Page where other student's sell their textbooks, and often for much less. Even if the cost, isn't much less, sometimes you might get lucky to get a textbook where the former students wrote notes in that book that could totally help you out. And if not Facebook, sometimes I do see other student's selling their textbooks via YikYak.

3.  Borrow From Your Upperclassmen Friends

Are you in a sorority, fraternity, or just have some upperclassmen friends? Well, you should definitely ask if they have the textbook you are looking for and if they have any advice for that particular class. I am pretty sure your friends, sisters, or brothers will let you borrow their textbooks free of charge.

4. Your School's Library

Little know fact, many of the textbooks and little novels that you need for class can be found at your school's library.  You may re-check them out throughout the semester, just don't forget the due date and overdue charges.

5. Online PDFs

I have been oh-so-lucky to get a few of my required books for class on a PDF online. Definitely do a google search with the title of your book along with the word PDF to see if anything comes up. Many of the small novels I needed for English class came up in a PDF online.

Livin' & Stylin'

Sheika 

Hebrews 6:19 

Where to Shop for Your Dorm

If you were anything like me before my freshman year of college, I looked for every kind of list as to what to bring for college. If you didn't know Bed, Bath and Beyond have wonderful lists of what you should bring for your dorm pertaining directly for your college/university. So I definitely used that list to help me out.

{Before Going Shopping}

Talk to your roommate/ suitmates: Before going shopping for your dorm, especially if you are sharing a room with another person, talk with them to see what he/she is bringing, so you all won't have many duplicates in such a small space. Also, it is good to talk to your roommate beforehand to see if you all want  a color coordinate and/or theme for the dorm room.

Make a list of what you will need to purchase.

Look online before you go to your stores to see their store ads and what they might have on sale.

Look on Pinterest or online to see different pictures of how other decorated their dorms to get ideas for your dorm.

{Where to Shop}

I know everyone always think of Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Walmart for the go to places for dorm shopping, but there are many other places that are also budget friendly to shop at for your dorm. 

 1. TJ Maxx/ Marshalls/  Burlington: They have a wonderful selection for almost all of your college dorm essentials. I actually found my comforter from TJ Maxx last year.

2. Dollar Tree: Great for little storage bins. I purchases two small glass vase from here for my makeup brushes, and I put a monogram on the front of it. So really try to be creative.

3. Rose's: I'm not sure if this store is everywhere, but this is  definitely a great place to go for bathroom essentials.

4. Hobby Lobby/ Michael's/ Jo Ann's: Great place to look for storage bins for your dorm and also DIY decor projects supplies, like my DIY Flower Initial  on my blog. These craft stores always have coupons on their site, so definitely check out their website. 

Just remember to keep track of all your receipts, so if you find an item somewhere else that you liked more or even for a better price, you can take the other item back.

If you are attending an out of state college/university and need moving boxes, instead of buying them, you can ask employees of the stores for their boxes that they are not using anymore. This will be helpful when you start packing your items for school.

Comment below some of you all tips for college dorm shopping.

Livin' & Stylin'

Sheika

Hebrews 6:19

College Life | What I've Learned from College So Far

If you didn't know already, yes, I am in college, now. And, honestly it is a new experience, but I am ready to embrace all that it has to offer me. Unlike other colleges, my college had its orientation the days after move-in, which was a good and bad thing. One good thing about that is that I got to meet new freshmen just like me, downfall was that we had class the next day (Orientation being August 21-23, and classes began August 24th). So yes, that was tiresome, but also a nice introduction/ welcoming to college life.  

I have currently been in college for 3 weeks now which is almost a month (WOW!), and I have learned quite a few things so far that I am going to share for you all, today.  In no particular order: 

1) Lanyards=Freshmen: Apparently, if you wear your lanyard around your neck, upperclassmen will quickly recognize that you are, in fact, a freshmen. Yes, I did this, and yes, I did get call out on this (not in a bad way at all). 

2) Planners/Agendas are Key: I already loved using an agenda, but with trying to balance all these assignments and different events happening on campus, it is essential for you to keep track of all of this in a planner or agenda. 

3) Bug Spray, Spider Spray, Roach Spray, Insect Repellent are a Must: This might not be the case for everyone, but unfortunately, for me I was placed in a dorm building that doors lead to the outside, so more of a "motel-type" dormitory. I know, awful. And with this comes different creatures into my door, and being the person I am that really don't like anything that crawls, these sprays definitely come in handy. 

4)Eating Alone is Fine: Honestly, I didn't think I would be the one eating in the dining hall by myself. But, the friends I did make don't have the same schedule as I do, so of course, our eating times are a bit different. But, trust me, you won't be the only one eating in the dining hall by yourself. 

5) Wear Whatever You Desire: Honestly, NO ONE cares. 

6) Support Your College's Athletic Teams: For me, this is a big one. Since, I did not go to a high school with any sports team, enjoying the ones that I have at my college is nice and refreshing. Take a break from reading or studying and attend a game, trust me, you will enjoy it and even bring along a couple of friends.

7) Naps are Essential: Before college, I never took a nap, But all of sudden, this new urge to take a nap is real. Like honestly, taking a nap before an afternoon class definitely makes me happy and even  rejuvenates me. 

8) 8AMs May or May Not be the Death of Me: Honestly, I haven't decided whether or not my 8AM classes are the best or worst thing ever. Truthfully, I love having most of the classes in the morning, so I can go ahead and get them out of the way and have the rest of the afternoon to do other things. I still have a few classes in the afternoon this semester, but I am a morning  person and like to get things done in the morning. But, this waking up for the morning class at 6:45AM is draining me. I guess, this is why number 7 is true.

9) Read Your Syllabus: What one professor may like, another one may not like. So carefully read each syllabus, and I would definitely recommend highlighting and underlining key points. And make note of assignments, exams, and paper due dates in your agenda and planner when you receive your syllabus instead of constantly referring back to it for due dates. 

10) Learn: I am no expert at this college thing, yet. Or will i ever be an expert, you knows? But, I am learning, not just in the classrooms, but also through new experiences and relationships being formed. There are definitely some wonderful learning experiences on campus, so definitely try to take it one sidewalk at a time, or in other words not all at once. 

Hope you all enjoyed this post and if you all have any other college related post ideas definitely just let me know.



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Livin' & Stylin'

Sheika 

Hebrews 6:19