University is real shit man

Well it has been nearly 15 years since I started at mine, so I guess a lot has changed.

I read it as OP was assigned assignments on the first day and they are due soon. Maybe that's just me.

At my college we do have an online bookstore but sometimes professors will tell you that you don't actually have to get the books. So most people wait until the first day of class before ordering textbooks.

We were recommended at my university by orientation leaders to wait because you don’t always use every book listed and it’s a waste of money to buy a book not needed.

I spent 6 years in university doing my degrees. You often can't go to the book store until classes begin because you have no idea what books you'll need until you get the syllabus from the professor on the first day. Then, everyone runs to the bookstore. What I find more odd is that the college bookstore didn't have a required book in stock at two campuses.

If you have ever attended even one semester of an accredited college or university, you know never to buy a book before class starts. You wait until the first day to ask the professor if the book is necessary. Most of the times, you will know just based on the professor's teaching method.

Depending on where you go, at least for college. The professors don’t always use the textbooks. They might be for a specific department and some professors might or might not use the book.

"orientation leaders" just means students. Students are often lying, stupid assholes. They were trying to sell the old myth taht professors assign books they don't use. You got burned.

Either you are rich or not in college

Not a myth. After 5 years of undergrad (changed schools and majors), 1 year of Master's work, and a year and a half of law school, I can say with 100% certainty that there have been MANY times that a "required" book was either not used or only used once. This is actually very common in colleges, especially those that tend to have a more wealthy student population. Even when the materials ARE required, I have several times been told by a professor on the first day NOT to buy them from the bookstore because there is another source that I would not have found on my own that costs about half as much. And the bookstore won't usually allow returns unless you drop the class. In short, any halfway intelligent student who has any experience with college and isn't a millionaire knows not to buy books until after the first day of class unless you specifically hear from the professor that they will be needed on that first day.

Most ebooks are the same price as the hard copy. I was very surprised when I found that out. Also, usually the hard copy textbook has a free ebook copy.

He isn’t saying buy an eBook, he’s saying to torrent it which is free (albeit illegal).

Not all professors allow electronic devices to be used in class.

That's why people do the readings/skim the readings before class. Unless you want to reference a specific part of what you read, you generally don't need the readings in class.

Most bookstores allow you to order the book if they don't have it in stock, and when it comes in it is already your copy.