How should I ask my prof...?

Question

I'm in college and the textbooks are very expensive. Very often it says on the website that the book is required but then the profs don't use it in class at all. So what's a polite way to ask my prof if he'll be using it in class or not?

I don't want to buy books if he won't use them

Answer 1

just ask from ur teacher which book(only one) we have to prefer.

nd y don't u issue all these from ur library???

Answer 2

Careful...you don't want to insult your professor right off the bat by implying he's being sloppy or careless with his reading list, or to imply that you don't want to study or work hard.

Instead, I think you should first ask your professor if there are any books on his list that he might not get to in the class, or any that might be optional.  Explain that you had a previous professor who didn't use several of the books on his list, they were very expensive.  (You didn't say you were in dire financial straits like everyone here is assuming, so I didn't mention it.)

Answer 3

i think its pretty easy to understand that, as a university student, finances are tight.

let your prof. know that you don't want to spend excessive amounts of money unnecessarily. if you can get away with borrowing the book from the university library rather than buying it then you should!

Answer 4

Just ask! Say something along the lines of " I need to know just how often you use textbooks in class, they are very expensive and I do not want to buy one if we will not be using them often. And I could share someone else's if we need one"  

Answer 5

just tell him you are really on a tight budget and do not want to but unnecessary equipment.

Answer 6

You could just get them from the library if you need them

Answer 7

The prof likely has a schedule of when each textbook will be used during the course.  He should be able to give you an idea of the schedule.  Buy the first one or two and go from there.

Answer 8

I'm in university, so I definitely know how you feel.

Profs definitely know how you feel.  Profs have gone through the "poor student" thing, so they will be able to relate.  They won't think you're being a slack worker if you don't want to purchase the text.

Just be blunt, ask if the text book is supplementary or if it will be required.  This isn't an offensive question.  Just talk to the prof.  I would say, "I've got a full courseload this semester, I was just wondering how essential this textbook is for success in this course."  

At my school, the profs can request that a couple copies be available at the library.  The books are only available for 2 hour increments, but if you have homework from the book 2 hours is ample time to photo copy the questions or relevant pages.

If the text is required and he will be relying on it, you can ask some class mates if they want to split a text with you.  Or, you can buy a used one.  For used ones, try:

- facebook's market place

- amazon

- ebay

- craiglist

- kijiji

Often times older editions are super cheap, but the only difference is the page numbers.  So, it takes more work to decode an old edition, but it can save you lots of money.

We have a textbook consignment at my school, see if this is available for you.  

Also, I recommend waiting to buy your text.  Go through the first week of classes.  I've had profs that say a text is mandatory, but they use powerpoint slides straight from the text and essentially the powerpoint slides are word-for-word from the textbook and the text is totally useless!

Answer 9

"Will there be required reading from all these books?"

Don't worry too much about sounding rude.  The professor understands.  When I was in college, someone asked this question every first day of every class.  Many times, the professor would be honest and say "Actually, this one is optional" or "Well, we probably won't get to that one very much."

Answer 10

"Excuse me, [Title and mame of prof], I am on a very tight budget and can only afford to buy the books which are strictly required for this course. I hope to be able to look up the others in the library. Could you please give me an idea of the books I simply have to have?"

Answer 11

Just be direct and ask politely and kindly. They'll understand that money's tight. Don't worry about that. They're always reading the news and the economy daily so they'll understand what you're saying.

So just go right up and ask kindly as if you'll need this book or not.

Hope this helps

Answer 12

Simply ASK HIM before each term.

Many (if not most) Professors appreciate a student's candor to ask what is required for each term.

This will show your integrity to his lessons and your motivation to learn what will be discussed.