Amarillo College Bookstore: Not the only option

The average American college student spends around $1,200 a year on books and supplies.

A single book can cost as much as $200, according to a College Board estimate reported in USA Today.

Amarillo College students expressed concerns over rising book costs and the burden they put on their shoulders.

“I don’t buy books,” said Lily Gamble, a mass media major.

Gamble said she boycotts buying textbooks because of the high prices.

“In this day and age, it would be stupidly easy to go online for a textbook, and it is ridiculous we haven’t switched over already,” she said.

cody mcgehee | The Ranger Shelby Riener, a nursing major, decides on books to buy.
cody mcgehee | The Ranger
Shelby Riener, a nursing major, decides on books to buy.

Some students choose to divide the cost of books with their peers.

“I am sharing a textbook with some friends,” said Jenna Hooten, an engineering major.

A USA Today survey said more than 2,000 students reported they had skipped buying a required book.

Skye Worden, a mass media major, said she depends on her financial aid to cover the cost of books.

Worden said she is thankful for financial aid because it covered $650 of her book expenses, but she said it still had some drawbacks.

“I wish I could use my financial aid on Chegg or Amazon, but I am required to buy them from the bookstore,” Worden said.

She said it would be easier if she could get books online and use the rest of her money for bills, groceries and other necessities.

Many students turn toward Chegg, Amazon or other online textbook stores when searching for texts.

Students sometimes can rent and buy books cheaper online than they could through the school bookstore.

“I spent $120 on Chegg for three books and spend $120 for one book in the bookstore,” said Claire Villanueva, a psychology major.

The bookstore also can put books on hold and sometimes is out of more common books.

“I like Chegg for the fact that they usually have the textbooks I need in stock, where the bookstore will be out of books,” Villanueva said.

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