The Stages of Buying Textbooks: Told by Social Media Posts

The Stages of Buying Textbooks: Told by Social Media Posts

The speed and accessibility of the Internet makes it the perfect place to voice your opinions, share your thoughts, and argue your beliefs. This is particularly true of young people, who use social media platforms to draw attention to issues that impact their lives. The quick spreading nature of Facebook, Twitter, Imagr, and other popular sharing platforms make them ideal forums for students to express themselves. Sometimes, this expression takes the form of a persuasive editorial. Other times, a picture with a witty caption can suffice in addressing the issue at hand. The latter what is the Center of Math chose to focus on in this post. Students have taken to the Internet to discuss the extravagant price of college textbooks and learning materials. While these students decided to use humor to express their frustrations, spending upwards of $200 on one textbook is not something to laugh off. Speak to your professors or do your part to #AdoptAffordable and visit the Center of Math. 

Here are the stages of purchasing textbooks, as told by social media posts. 


First, there is the purchase. Students are full of disbelief and use sarcasm to mask their feelings.

Next, comes sadness. Lots of sadness.

This feeling of sadness is followed by anger. Sometimes, this anger is misplaced towards bookstore employees. Sorry?

Student discounts and buying used books rarely goes as planned. 

Once classes begin, some teachers don't even use the assigned texts!

After the semester comes to a close, students seek relief by attempting to sell books back to the bookstore. This rarely goes as planned.

Lastly, students who are unable to sell back their books find some creative uses for them. Discarded textbooks become the most expensive dorm room furniture.

Now, what if I told you that you could purchase your math textbooks digitally for less than $10? No more anger, sadness, or frustration! You may not be able to add to your textbook graveyard/TV stand at the end of the semester, but with the money saved on textbooks you could buy real furniture! There's also no need to stress about selling back textbooks with an affordable, digital copy. Interested on hearing more? Head to our website to learn more about the Worldwide Center of Math!

Our Reaction to the Textbook Market

Image: commons.wikimedia.org

As college students ourselves, we (the interns at the Center) worry about the price of textbooks at the beginning of each semester.

Would you rather have this?

Why spend $1,200 on textbooks in a calendar year if you simply don’t need to? For less than $200 ($169.23 before taxes, to be precise) students or professors could purchase a digital copy of every textbook, electronic study guide, and iPhone/Android app we offer, plus a sweet Center of Math t-shirt. Our prices provide an opportunity for college students to deviate from the doldrums of the dining hall to …*gasp*…edible food!

#textbooksareexpensive

Today the United States Senate voted-down Sen. Elizabeth Warren's proposed student debt refinancing bill (read article here). The defeat means millions of Americans will not be made eligible to refinance their existing student loans at today's lower rates.

Unfortunately, education expenses are aggressive and the consequences of student borrowing is bleeding from one generation to the next. This Instagram post by user jwelsh95 illustrates how the cost of required textbooks can fuel the debt-fire.
At the Center of Math, we publish ONLY high-quality, accessible and affordable math resources.

What's the Center (of Math)?

Got my #WhatsTheCenter swag today! Thanks @centerofmath What's your answer to http://t.co/uiuLHgXofd? pic.twitter.com/N4kiQfFtDH

— Michael Wilkinson (@mwilkinson3) March 28, 2014