After reviewing your schedule for the fall semester, it’s time to take the next step to get ready for your first day of classes: getting your textbooks

To be prepared for your first day of class, you'll need to make sure you have all the required materials (i.e., your textbooks). Follow these steps to review the options available to you and make sure you have what you need to succeed:

  1. Review your class schedule (Sign in to Banner Self-Service using your Sewanee username and password. Click "Registration" and then click "Student Detail Schedule.")
  2. Determine what books you need for your classes
  3. Compare prices for your various options (more on those below)
  4. Choose the option that's best for you
  5. If you will NOT utilize the Sewanee Bookstore's First Day Complete program, don't forget to opt out of the program by September 10

You have several options available to you when it comes to your books:

Purchase

You can buy your books, and they’ll be yours to keep when the semester ends. Often, you can choose between new and used copies of your textbooks. If available, used copies are generally less expensive than new copies.

Rental

You can rent your books for the semester (generally at a lower cost), but you’ll need to return them at the end of the semester.

You also have options for where and how to get your books:

Tiger Textbooks

Recently, you received an email about Barnes & Noble’s First Day Complete Program. With this rental program, the Sewanee Bookstore will prepare your course materials (digital and/or physical books) for you and you’ll pick them up before the first day of class and return them after your last final exam in December. The program costs $250; in most cases, participating in this program may be the least expensive option. Note: All students are automatically enrolled in this program; if you wish to pursue a different option for your books, click on the Tiger Textbooks link and follow the instructions to opt out of the program (after you opt out, the $250 fee will be removed from your student account).

Sewanee Bookstore

You can also arrange to buy and/or rent your books on your own with the Sewanee Bookstore. Depending on your individual schedule and needs, you may find this to be a better option for you.

You can use the Course Materials section of the Sewanee Bookstore's website to see your required books and compare the costs of purchasing vs. renting and/or the costs of new vs. used copies. To see the prices for each individual item, select "Advent 2024 Opt Out" from the Term drop-down menu.

Other third party vendors

You can order your books on your own via another seller. You’ll need to make sure that you order the correct editions of all required books for your classes and that you understand the purchase and/or return policies of any vendor from which you choose to purchase.

How to choose what's best for you:

We encourage you to explore the above options and choose what’s right for you. On the course materials page of the Sewanee Bookstore website, you can look up the rental and purchase costs for all of your needed books at the bookstore (select “Advent 2024 Opt Out” to see the cost for each individual item). If you decide to look up prices from another seller, make sure you search for the correct edition (the edition and ISBN numbers listed for each book will help you to be certain). After doing your research, compare the prices of the books when purchased or rented individually with the First Day Complete program's flat fee of $250 for all materials and determine what you prefer.

Additional Resources

duPont Library

The library makes course materials available for short-term borrowing when possible. You can learn more about this collection and check what is available for your courses at the library.

A team of librarians, faculty, and students collaborate with faculty on campus to connect them with Open Educational Resources (OER) to give students low cost or no cost, sustainable, and highly adaptable materials. Learn more on the library’s website.

Resources for Equity, Access, and Opportunity

At Sewanee, we are working hard to ensure that all students have access to resources that can help them to thrive on campus and beyond. We've compiled a list of campus opportunities and resources that can help to support you during your time at Sewanee, including: funds to help in an emergency; course materials, technology, and equipment available for your use at duPont Library; academic support resources; and more.