# F\*\*\*\*\*\* School! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 25, 2003, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842 "2003-07-25T11:49:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Delly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Delly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delly)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842/21 "2003-07-26T03:21:19Z")
Im studying at [W.I.T.](http://www.wit.ie) I dont know what its the equivalent to in the US as the education system is different. Im studying Business, so the books were on Economics, Management & Organisational Behavaiour and Communications. What makes you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842/22 "2003-07-26T04:01:15Z")
Probably the most important thing I learned in first year: WAIT until your classes begin before you buy your books! ---
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842/23 "2003-07-26T04:02:12Z")
On the subject of having to buy course notes, speaking as someone who has put in much time on both sides of the lectern, I think it’s a great idea. You’re usually only charged the binding fee, which even the most destitute student can afford. You get the benefit of having everything written out for you, and, this is key - organized according the the professor’s idea of what is important. It can be difficult to glean that from a spoken lecture. And if you feel that taking class notes helps you retain the material, you can always copy the bound notes out in your own hand. But people who do that seem to be the type to stay after class every day and come to every office hour. You know the type I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842/24 "2003-07-26T04:12:35Z")
Never, ever, ever buy the text before going to class at least once or twice. I can’t tell you how many times the bookstore hasn’t had the right book, or they had the right book in the wrong printing and that MATTERED IMMENSELY, or the prof. said “We won’t even really be needing these books.” Then buy them used, if you can, one at a time. Take a list to the local used bookstores – insert heartfelt pitch for Half-Price Books here – and see what you can get. Chances are, if you’re in a college town, there’s more textbooks there than you think. My local college bookstore did buybacks, and they were pretty good money…but only during finals time. The rest of the year, the money was horrible, and lots of people just took the books down the street and got an occasionally better price for them. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842/25 "2003-07-26T04:13:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Delly \* > Im studying at [W.I.T.](http://www.wit.ie) Looks like a nice place. > [@](#): > > I dont know what its the equivalent to in the US as the education system is different. In the US post-secondary schools seem to select from a pretty large pool of names and “Institute of Technology” is in that pool. There are also: University, College, Institute, etc. > [@](#): > > Im studying Business, so the books were on Economics, Management & Organisational Behavaiour and Communications. > > What makes you ask? Just curious. I’ve been to Ireland (both the province and the nation) once in my life. I fell in love with the place and hope to visit again sometime. ---
**Author:** ![VenusGirlTrap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/58956e/32.png) [@VenusGirlTrap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusGirlTrap)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842/26 "2003-07-26T07:11:49Z")
I once paid $600 for books in one semester all from a “lowly community college”. Luckily that “lowly community college” got me into a better college that lets me order used books online. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-school/190842.md?page=1)