When you got your textbooks, did you get the recommended ones too? how much did they help?

Well, I'm not sure if I have/had any recommended text books. There were some books that the teacher didn't require. Like history. The teacher said he didn't really want to use it so I didn't get it. I did okay without it but I bet it would've helped a little if I had it, too. Might not have been worth the money though, but that might be different for you. I'd say get your recommended books if you think the price is good. It might be good to look through while your studying. Something other than notes.

I got all the required books, but as far as the recommended books, after the first day of class, I went up to the teacher and asked him/her about the recommended books. Also, since you don't need the recommended books for the classes, maybe see if you can get the books out of the university library. Browse through them briefly and see if they are the kinds of things that would be helpful to you.

It depends on the class and on the person.

Sometime the books make up for a weakness in either the required books or the professor.

Sometimes they teach the topic in a different way. Since we all think differently, this may help some people who think a certain way, but may be useless to others.

Sometimes they simply reinforce the required texts and the professor (this is especially the case with workbook-type texts). This is useful if you're struggling.



The best way to find out is to ask someone who has taken the class and/or the professor. If you don't know anyone who has taken the class and the professor isn't helpful, it's a bit harder. I'd get it if it's cheap or if you think you'll be struggling. Otherwise, you may want to wait and buy it (or not) once you've gotten a feeel for the class.

I never bought anything that wasn't required. The required texts cost so incredibly much, I couldn't afford to get anything else even if I'd wanted to.
Besides, they usually have the recommended texts in the school library, or you could borrow them from a public library, or go to Barnes and Nobel and read them if you are really interested.
Remember: Buy Used and Save!!

Make sure you see if they'll give you money back if you return them to the bookstore, too. I did that last year with my books.

I got the recommended books and the solutions manual for my algebra book really came in handy. I didn't really need most of the recommended stuff, but I figured it was better to be safe than sorry. Besides, I can return them to the bookstore.