Save Money on Textbooks: Art School Edition

Yes, yes, I know, you’re getting ready to attend an art school in the fall, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to buy textbooks for some of your classes. Lots of professors of HS classes and even some of your core classes will require you to have a “textbook” of some kind.

We don’t have a bookstore, so that’s not an option - though it wouldn’t be a good money saving option anyway. So you have no choice but to look elsewhere. Depending on the class, and the book you’re looking for, you’ve got some options below for you to pick from.

First, check your syllabus. Hopefully you're starting to get emails or information from your instructors that include a syllabus and information about the classes you've signed up for. Take a look at the syllabus and see what books are required for you to have.

Borrow or buy from someone. If you know of or can find someone who already has the book from taking the class in the past. If they don’t want to sell the book, ask them if you can borrow it for the semester. You can even offer them some money for the “rental” to make it more enticing for them.

Check Facebook. Every year there’s usually a group that’s made for the incoming class on Facebook. This is a great resource for lots of things, one being finding your books! A lot of upperclassmen will join the group and post things about things they’re selling or old books they want to get rid of. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, make a post! It also wouldn’t hurt to try and make a post in a different classes group to see if anybody has the book & would be willing to sell it to you or let you borrow it.

Head to the library. You won’t be able to keep the book for the entire semester but knowing that it’s available for use is good. Many professors will put the book on reserve for their class which makes the check out time shorter so it ensures that it will be there when you need it. If your professor is only using a few pages or chapters out of the book you can always make some copies to have on hand.  If our library doesn’t have it, check out some of the local public branches to see if they do! You can also speak to one of the Reference Librarians in our library and they will do whatever they can to help you find what you're looking for - even if that means requesting it from a different library!

Rent. There are lots of sites that offer the opportunity to rent the books you need which will usually be cheaper than buying the book for yourself. Plus you won’t have to figure out what to do with it when you don’t need it anymore! Check out these links for a few rental options and see if your book is available:

• Amazon
• Chegg
• Valore
• Barnes & Noble

Buy used. If none of the options work for you so far, consider going on the hunt for used versions of the book you need.

• Check out some local bookshops. There are a good number of students who decide to sell their old books locally to shops who are willing to buy them. Look at some shops on Capitol Hill (Twice Sold Tales), in Lower Queen Anne, etc. - places where you know a good number of students live off campus or shops that are near campus. You might get lucky and find exactly what you’re looking for!
• Check out these sites. These are just a few examples of some places to look online for good deals on used books.
• Slugbooks
• Amazon
• AbeBooks
• Half.com or Chegg

Buying new. If you’ve exhausted all of the other options or simply have to buy the book brand new, check out these ideas.

Buy an older edition. Contact your professor to see if purchasing a different edition of the book (assuming it has them) will work for the class. In most cases, this is just fine, but sometimes the professor is very specific about which edition they want you to work from.

Split the cost. If you know someone else who is going to be in the same class as you, reach out to them and see if they would be interested in sharing and splitting the cost of the book for the semester.

Buy it as an e-book. Ebooks are usually less expensive than purchasing a physical copy, plus you don’t have to lug it around with you. You’ll want to check with your professor, however, sometimes they’re not okay with the use of electronic devices in their classroom - even if it’s just for the book.

Sell your books at the end of the Semester. Provided that you didn't buy an e-book or rent a textbook, you're going to be faced with a decision. Do I need to keep this text book, or not? Will this help with my future courses or with my career? If you decide you won't need the books, there are a variety of places that you can try to sell them back for some of your money. The quickest and easiest is usually going to a local bookshop (Twice Sold Tales, Mercer Street Books, etc.) and seeing if they will buy your book(s) for cash or in-store credit. Other options for selling your books include Amazon, Craigslist, or even posting them on the Facebook page to see if anyone else is in need of the book.

You can also check out this awesome resource from The City University of New York for a master list of some great places to find some of the books you need.  

Good luck out there!

Save Money on College Essentials

Create a list of things that you need. This way you know what you’re looking for while you’re out and about or doing online shopping. It should also keep you from getting too overwhelmed because there’s lots of stuff out there and a lot of advertisements for “back to college” items that you don’t really need - especially if you’re trying to save yourself some money.

Figure out what you already have. Before you start any of your school shopping, look around to see what you’ve already got - you may be surprised. This will save you some time and money when you start to shop. Do you already have some cute bed sheets that will work - at least for now? Already have some cleaning supplies on hand? Do your parents need all of their pots and pans? Maybe they’ll let you have some. Cross off the things you already have or don’t need right away. Work from there.

Check out local thrift shops like GoodWill, Value Village and more local based thrift and consignment shops. This is a really good place to start because you never know what you might find and you could end up saving a ton of money on things you thought you were going to have to buy brand new. Keep an eye out for bedding, decorations, lighting, office/school supplies, clothes, storage, etc.

Look at yard sales too! You can find some super great deals and most people are even willing to negotiate! Check out Craigslist, local power polls, and Facebook events, and other resources to find them!

Find the sales. Finding as many “back to school” sales and discounts as you can will be a big help. This is the time when you will find them. If you know you’re going to need lots of art supplies - LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS. Art supplies are expensive and anything that can lower that price is going to be a huge help.

Look online. Depending on the deals you can find and whether you’re local or not, it’s probably worth looking around online. You can even have things sent right to you once you’re settled into the dorms or your apartment and have the trouble of having to move said things. Also make sure to activate Ebates while you’re shopping to get some money back!

Keep an eye out for our next post on how to save money on textbooks!

Good luck out there!

Discount Grocery Shopping

Tips to Shop

Take advantage of your meal plan. If you live in the dorms, make sure you're making full use of your
meal plan! There's no limit on what you can spend in a day, but you do only have a certain amount for
the semester, so plan accordingly. You can always add money out of pocket onto your card - this goes for
those of you who don't live in the dorms as well!

Make a list. Figure out what you need (and want) before you head to the store. This will help to keep

you focused and you’ll be less likely to wander the store adding things into your cart that you don’t

really need. It can help if you also create a standard 'staples' checklist of things you always want to have
on hand.

Budget. Figure out how much you can spend on groceries and try to stick to it. Do you get paid once

a month? Are you living off of your savings? Figure out a plan that works best for you.

Sign up for EBT. Did you know that if you’re a student with work study, you can qualify for food

benefits? Head on over to the DSHS and apply for EBT, then stop by our office and we can provide

you with documents that prove you’re active in the program.

Shop with your roommate(s). Share the cost of a grocery run by splitting the cost in half or trade off
on grocery runs. Sit down with your roomie(s) and see what would work best for all!

Coupon. Some grocery stores have their own apps that have discounts and coupons that you

wouldn’t get otherwise. If you have store you go to frequently, see if they have one! There are tons

of other apps out there for grocery coupons and even ones that will give you money back after you

upload your receipts. Check the weekly flyers that stores have, look in newspapers for coupons.
(Checkout 51, Ibotta, more)

Buy in bulk & freeze. Dry and non-perishable foods are the best for this (beans, rice, pasta, oatmeal, canned

goods, etc.) If you have some extra space in your living area and you see some sales - stock up! If you have
room in your freezer, you can always freeze items that will expire!

Pack a lunch the night before. Most cases, you probably run out of time in the mornings before you head
to class and don't have time to figure out food to bring. If you do this the night or weekend before, you
won't have to worry about it in the morning!

Shop seasonal. Buying fruits and veggies that are in season will save you some money. When

produce isn’t in season it tends to be more expensive because it has to travel farther to get to you!

Eat before you go! Shopping while hungry is never a good idea because you’ll want all of the things.

You’ll find yourself buying more than you might if you shop when you’re not hungry.

Grocery List Ideas

Fruits

Apples

Bananas

Grapes

Oranges

Veggies

Avocado

Bell peppers

Broccoli

Carrots

Lettuce

Onions

Spinach

Sweet potatoes

Tomatoes

Protein

Beans

Chicken

Deli meat

Eggs

Lentils

Peanut butter

Tuna fish (look for low sodium)

Yogurt (look for low sugar)

Bread and Grains

Cereal (look for low sugar; dry cereal also makes a quick snack)

Oatmeal (look for low sugar)

Rice (preferably brown or long-grain)

Tortillas

Whole grain bread

Whole wheat pasta

Quick Eats

Cheese sticks

Dried fruit

Frozen dinners

Hummus

Popcorn

Protein/cereal bars

Salsa

Soups

Trail mix

Other

Butter (or substitute)

Coffee (making it yourself can save you tons of money—don’t worry, Starbucks will still be there)

Garlic

Honey

Olive/coconut oil

Pasta sauce

Salt & pepper

Tea

Where to Shop

Cash & Carry

Best products: Groceries and produce at case prices (single packages also available on most
items), fresh meat, dairy products, and frozen foods.

Nearest locations: SoDo, Ballard, Mt. Baker

Fred Meyer

Best products: Save more by taking advantage of weekly ad specials and digital coupons on
their website.

Nearest locations: Ballard, Greenwood

Grocery Outlet

Best products: Brand-name groceries and fresh produce. Sign up for “WOW” email alerts to be
notified of unadvertised deals from your local store. They also have occasional $5 off coupons if
you use your phone number at the kiosk during checkout!

Nearest locations: SoDo, Central District, Crown Hill

Uwajimaya

Best products: Regular prices can be high on some product, so take advantage of weekly specials,
and get 10% off as a student every Friday after 6pm!

Nearest location: International District

Trader Joe’s

Best products: Check out their weekly flyer! A lot of things at Trader Joes have pretty good

prices. Keep an eye out for sales and Trader Joe’s brand products.

Nearest locations: Central District, Queen Anne

Big John’s PFI

Best products: Store carries mostly European and Mediterranean imported foods. ½-pound
minimum when buying deli meats (unsliced/no slicer), sausages, cheeses (domestic and
international), and olives. Large variety of bulk dried goods: rices, beans, spices, grains, flours.
Large selections of olive oils, specialty oils, and vinegars. Also chocolate and candy from around
the world.

Location: SoDo

Costco (membership required)

Best products: best value is found on dairy products, organic products, frozen foods, Kirkland
brand products, bulk foods, and perishable foods.

Nearest location: Industrial District

Tips from Jasmine: Surviving Freshman Year

You’ve done all the prep work — you’ve gotten good grades in high school, scored well on a standardized test, and been accepted into the college you want to attend — so enjoy all your hard work while laying the groundwork for a successful college career. Don’t be a statistic; be determined to make it through your freshman year — and beyond. Take advantage of your network of new friends and professors, have fun while learning as much as you can, and get the most out of your college experience. Here are some bits of advice that can get you started on the right foot!

Go to all orientations. Do you really need to go on yet another campus tour? Yes. The faster you learn your way around campus — and around all the red tape — the more at ease you’ll feel and the better prepared you’ll be when issues arise.

Get to know your roommate and others in your residence hall. The people you live with, most of whom are going through similar experiences and emotions, are your main safety net — not only this year but for all your years. You may change roommates after the first semester or you may stay roommates for all four years — just take the time to get to know your fellow first-year students.

Get Organized. In high school, the teachers tended to lead you through all the homework and due dates. In college, the professors post the assignments — often for the entire semester — and expect you to be prepared. Buy an organizer, use an app, or get a big wall calendar — whatever it takes for you to know when assignments are due.

Find the ideal place for you to study. It may be your dorm room or a cozy corner of the library, but find a place that works best for you to get your work done — while avoiding as many distractions as possible.

Go to class. Obvious, right? Maybe, but sleeping in and skipping that 8 am class will be tempting at times. Avoid the temptation. Besides learning the material by attending classes, you’ll also receive vital information from the professors about what to expect on tests, changes in due dates, etc.

Become an expert on course requirements and due dates. Professors spend hours and hours preparing course syllabi and calendars so that you will know exactly what is expected of you — and when. One of the lamest excuses a student can give a professor: “I didn’t know it was due today.”

Meet with your professors. Speaking as a current student, I can assure you there are only upsides to getting to know your professors, especially if later in the semester you run into some snags. Professors schedule office hours for the sole purpose of meeting with students — take advantage of that time.

Get to know your academic adviser. This is the person who will help you with course conflicts, adding or dropping courses, scheduling of classes for future semesters, deciding on majors and minors. This person is a key resource for you — and should be the person you turn to with any academic issues or conflicts. And don’t be afraid of requesting another adviser if you don’t click with the one first assigned to you.

Seek a balance. College life is a mixture of social and academic happenings. Don’t tip the balance too far in either direction. Study hard so you can play hard.

Get involved on campus. A big problem for a lot of new students is a combination of homesickness and a feeling of not quite belonging. A solution? Consider joining a select group — and be careful not to go overboard — of student organizations, clubs, ensembles, etc.You’ll make new friends, learn new skills, and feel more connected to your school.

Strive for good grades. Another obvious one here, right? Remember the words of the opening paragraph; while good grades could have come naturally to you in high school, you will have to earn them in college — and that means setting some goals for yourself and then making sure you work as hard as you can to achieve them.

Take advantage of the study resources on campus. Here at Cornish, we have a fantastic Writing Center and Tutors available. Another idea: form study groups.

Make time for you. Be sure you set aside some time and activities that help you relax and take the stress out of your day or week. Whether it’s enlisting yoga techniques, watching your favorite television shows, or writing in a journal, be good to yourself. SELF CARE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!

Don’t feel pressured to make a hasty decision about a career or a major. It doesn’t matter if it seems as though everyone else seems to know what they’re doing with their lives — believe me, they don’t — college is the time for you to really discover who you are, what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at, and what you want to be. It’s not a race; take your time and enjoy exploring your options.

Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Don’t look to place the blame on others for your mistakes; own up to them and move on. Being an adult means taking responsibility for everything that happens to you.

Make connections with students in your classes. A great technique in the first week of classes is to make a goal to meet at least one new person in each of your classes. It will expand your network of friends — and that is always crucial resource at times when you miss a class, or a rehearsal even.

Find the Career Services Office. Regardless of whether you are entering college as undeclared or have your entire future mapped out, seek out the wonderful professionals in your college’s career services office and get started on planning, preparing, and acting on your future.  Cornish is currently preparing an office just for you, more information to follow!

Don’t procrastinate; prioritize your life. It may have been easy in high school to wait until the last minute to complete an assignment and still get a good grade, but that kind of stuff will not work for you in college. Give yourself deadlines — and stick to them.

Stay healthy/Eat Right. A lot of problems first-year students face can be traced back to an illness that kept them away from classes for an extended period of time that led to a downward spiraling effect. Get enough sleep, take your vitamins, and eat right. If you haven’t heard the jokes about college food, you soon will. And without mom or dad there to serve you a balanced meal, you may be tempted to go for those extra fries or cookies. Stay healthy and avoid the dreaded extra “Freshman 15” pounds by sticking to a balanced diet.

Learn to cope with homesickness. It’s only natural that there will be times when you miss your family, even if you were one of those kids who couldn’t wait to get away. Find a way to deal with those feelings, such as making a phone call or sending some email home.

Stay on campus as much as possible. Whether it’s homesickness, a job, or a boyfriend or girlfriend from home, try not to leave campus too soon or too often. The more time you spend on getting to know the campus and your new friends, the more you’ll feel at home at school. And why not take advantage of all the cultural and social events that happen on campus?

Seek professional help when you need it. If you’re sick or feeling isolated or depressed, please take advantage of the many services these offices provide students. You don’t have to face these issues by yourself. Cornish as wonderful resources to help you with this!

Keep track of your money. If you’ve never had to create a budget, now is the time to do so. Find ways to stretch your money – and as best you can avoid all those credit card solicitations you’ll soon be receiving. The average credit card debt of college grads is staggering.

Don’t cut corners. College is all about learning. If you procrastinate and cram, you may still do well on tests, but you’ll learn very little. Even worse, don’t cheat on term papers or tests.

Be prepared to feel overwhelmed. There’s a lot going in your life right now. Expect to have moments where it seems a bit too much. As I have learned here at Cornish, be prepared to feel completely unprepared. The trick is knowing that you’re not the only one feeling that way.