Law school books are expensive and heavy. They can cost hundreds of dollars each and take up a lot of space in your backpack or shelf. So, should you buy them or rent them? What are the pros and cons of each option? Here are some factors to consider before you make your decision.
Renting Law School Books
Renting law school books can save you money and hassle. You can get the books for a fraction of the cost of buying them new or used, and you don’t have to worry about reselling them after the semester.
You can also avoid the risk of buying outdated editions or books that are not required by your professor. Renting is incredibly convenient for 1L textbooks, which you may not need to refer to again in your upper-level courses.
However, renting law school books also has some drawbacks. You may not be able to highlight or write notes in the rented books, which can affect your learning and studying.
You must also return the books by a certain deadline, which may not coincide with your exam schedule or personal plans. If you damage or lose the rented books, you may have to pay extra fees or buy them at full price.
Some sources that offer renting law school books are:
Buying Law School Books
Buying law school books can give you more flexibility and ownership. You can mark up the books as much as you want, keep them for as long as you need, and use them as future references or resources. You can also sell them back to other students or online platforms and recoup some of your costs.
However, buying law school books also has some disadvantages. You have to pay more upfront and deal with the hassle of finding buyers or sellers for your books. You also have to make sure that you buy the correct editions and titles that your professor requires, which may change from year to year.
Buying is especially costly for casebooks, which tend to be updated frequently and lose their value quickly.
Some sources that offer buying law school books are:
Also Read: Is Buying Used Books Bad For Authors? Must Read Before Buying One
Should You Buy or Rent Law School Books?
It depends on your personal preferences, budget, study habits, and course requirements. You may want to compare the prices and conditions of different sources before you make your choice. You may also want to mix and match different options for different books, depending on their importance and availability.
FAQ’s
Here are some frequently asked questions about buying or renting law school books:
How do I know which books I need for my law school courses?
You can check your course syllabus, ask your professor, or consult your upperclassmen for advice. You can also look up your course code on online platforms like Amazon or Law School Supplies to see what books are recommended or required.
How do I save money on law school books?
You can save money on law school books by renting them instead of buying them, buying them used instead of new, selling them back after the semester, or borrowing them from the library or other students.
How do I study effectively with law school books?
You can study effectively with law school books by reading them actively, taking notes, highlighting key points, summarizing cases, making outlines, and reviewing them regularly.
Conclusion
Law school books are essential tools for your legal education, but they can also be expensive and burdensome. Whether you choose to buy or rent them depends on various factors such as cost, convenience, flexibility, and preference. You should weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully and find the best solution for your needs.
