10. "Vote me 2020! My platform? Free textbooks." | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

17 Thoughts You Have When Buying Textbooks That Cost Almost As Much As Your College Tuition

The only reason I miss high school

34
17 Thoughts You Have When Buying Textbooks That Cost Almost As Much As Your College Tuition
https://pixabay.com/en/textbook-apple-pencil-study-home-993182/

Buying textbooks for college sucks. That is something that people across the collegiate scale can agree on regardless of gender, major, interests, or future plans. It is just downright terrible. As some famous dude once said, "Give me liberty or, ya know, at least give me a professor that doesn't require that $159.39 book... Please?"

1. "God, this is terrible."

Whether you're looking at them online or in-store, the staggering prices of textbooks is enough to make anyone instantly nauseas. Like, honestly, what the heck is going on with the prices? Is there really a need for that many zeros after the first digit? It's just ridiculous and needs to be stopped. It's theft in the simplest form, and god, I hate it...

2. "Am I even going to need this?"

Be honest, we have all had that thought. Skipping out on buying just one of the five books that professor is requiring isn't the worst thing ever, right? I mean come on! Five books is a bit ridiculous! (And before you rant about how you've only ever had two to three books assigned for a class, let me tell you that I'm an English major, and it is a tragic life.)

3. "I wonder how much a human kidney is worth?"

I can 100% see you getting ready to switch browsers to answer that question. Well, I'll save you some time and answer it for you. A human kidney is worth - approximately - $262,000. (Thank you, weird Seeker website for that strangely specific article titled "How Much Are Your Body Parts Worth?") But I know what you're saying. Me too. My first thought was, "I only need one to live, right?" I mean, with that kind of cash, you could be two, maybe three textbooks!

4. "Maybe if I just sit in the back of the class..."

Sitting in the back of the class may seem like a sure-fire way to avoid being called out by the professor, but honestly, you're chances are only about 50-50. In my experiences, professors don't discriminate on where you're sitting. The whole room is free game. So, good luck!

5. "Can I find this cheaper anywhere else? Maybe a dark web site?"

There's got to be some shady website - maybe eBay's dark counterpart! - that murders people in the middle of the night, steals their things, and then sells them online at a highly discounted price, right? No? Okay... Well, then! Moving on...

6. "I wonder if *insert class-friend name* will let me borrow theirs..."

Asking to borrow a book once or twice a semester is one thing, but asking to borrow it consistently throughout the semester is a bit ridiculous. It may get you out of buying the book for the first couple of weeks, but after that, you're totally going to get cut off! Think again, buddy.

7. "How much can I pawn this thing off on somebody for once the semester is over?"

I mean, I've thought it too, don't get me wrong. Of course, there's going to be freshman you can scam into buying your used textbook, as opposed to the one at the bookstore, but are you willing to carry that weight on your shoulders?

8. "Is this class *really* worth it?"

To put it simply, the answer is yes...

9. "I'll probably only use this thing like three times."

Even if you're right about this, and I mean honestly, you might be, is it really worth it to risk it? I'd go with no...

10. "Vote me 2020! My platform? Free textbooks."

Yes, free textbooks may seem a bit outrageous, but hey, it'd get you a lot of votes. There are thousands of young adults across the country that are suffering from these chains of textbook buying and they're ready to be freed!

11. "If I rent this book and something happens to it, will they take my first born as a payment?"

First borns are expensive, yeah, but so are textbooks, am I right?

12. "Bonfire at my house, everybody. Just bring cash for fuel, it'd be cheaper than buying this godforsaken books."

This thought is fleeting, yes, but it is still there and extremely painful.

13. "The author better be an actual descendant of God for how much they're charging."

Disclaimer: Divine Intervention Not Included With Purchase of Textbook.

14. "Ahhh, what a nice paperweight."

We all know that that nice science book is going to sit on the edge of your desk and hold down your worksheets. But hey, it's all fun and games, right? And, you know, money down the drain.

15. "This book is big enough to hide my shame behind. And that's saying something."

How are you going to carry this to class everyday? The answer is simple: you won't. It isn't typical that you carry your college textbook to class everyday, so that's a perk, at least!

16. "I wonder how many dried tears are in the used math books..."

Another simple answer to a sad question: a lot... Specifically, if you get the one I had my freshman year, then the answer is more than I'd care to admit... Moving on!

17. "God, I miss the graffiti-covered books from high school..."

They may have been ancient, way outdated, heavy, and covered with about a hundred tiny, doodled penises, but at least they were free!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

442173
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

15626
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41057
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

20948
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321336
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments