Amazingly, Incredible Graduation Gift for my DD!

[almacdonald]

That is a very thoughtful gift. I remember when I first started university I had a hard time buying all my textbooks because the cost exceeded my daily debit card limit and the bank would only give me a $500 limit on my credit card. My 1st semester textbooks cost over $800 and that was 6 years ago! Now, I used many of those books for more than 1 semester and I've also kept a few as reference material but still, it was just a pain in the butt trying to get them the 1st semester.

As far as cost for a semester of textbooks, it depends on the courses. I found that science books were generally hardcover and cost over $100. My social science classes (geography, psychology etc.) were softcover and rarely over $100. While I didn't take any Art History classes, the book was like $250!!!! Also, 1st year courses generally have REQUIRED textbooks and higher level classes often have RECOMENDED textbooks. I mean, I think i spent about $35 my last semester of classes. I had to buy a lab manual and a set of class notes from the professor, my other classes didn't have textbooks. So, really, prices can vary alot. It's a good thing that my books were cheap my last year cause I was runnin' outta money!


ETA: Forgot to mention. A lot of my science classes had more than 1 required book ie)Textbook, lab manual, solutions manual etc.

 

[diznygirl]

What a wonderful idea! And a real investment into her college education. There was a time when I didn't have enough money for all my books, so I had to wait for my next paycheck to get one that was really expensive. I failed a test while I was waiting!

I'm going to remember this idea!

 

[PaulaSue]

Wow!

What a great start for college and she can't blow it on shopping.

 

[redshoes]

That is a wonderful, thoughtful gift. I remember my first trip to the university bookstore, I was a little less than wise about the ways of college life, I had in my wallet a $100 for books (I thought it was plently and then some). I had no idea how much money a full class load of books would be, it was lesson learned rather quickly.

 

[keenercam]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your good wishes for DD17. She is going to a state university, majoring in human services with a concentration in counseling (at the elementary school level), so I am hoping her books won't be as costly as if she were pre-med or some other science-related major. Our state university estimates $800 per year for books, and I will urge her to buy them used or on half.com or amazon whenever possible. She has an orientation the end of this month and should have some idea shortly thereafter of what books she will need.

Thank you to my old and dear DIS friends (Kristen, Jen, and Judy) for all of your very kind words and to my new DIS friends for all your congratulations and good wishes.

 

[almacdonald]

Suggest to your daughter that she hold off buying books until she attends her first lecture. The prof will usually tell you which book and which edition they will use. This could save a lot of hassle later on. This way she will also get an idea as to whether or not she wants to keep that class in her schedule before she dishes out the cash for books.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Congratulations to your daughter! That is a great and generous idea!