Survival Guide
August 23, 2016
How to acquire your textbooks As you might have already learned, college textbooks are expensive - really, really expensive. The most straightforward means of acquiring said books (which must surely be made of gold or something) is to go through the University Store. Buying from the UStore means books can be purchased to own or for rent, used or new. So, generally, books are most expensive if they’re bought new and to own. Alternatively, the cheapest are typically used rentals. If you rent your books, you can still write and highlight in them before returning them to the UStore at the end of the designated semes-
ter, though you are encouraged to not go overboard or damage the material in any way. The UStore also offers an online system for figuring out which books you need for which classes. This resource, as well as price-checking and comparison services, can be found through the store’s website. If you decide to buy/own your books, know that the UStore also buys back undamaged textbooks at the end of each semester. If you don’t want to go through the UStore, consider using our local Bookholders, which offers similar plans. Amazon may also be a cheaper or more convenient options.
Walking around campus all the time can get tiring and can take almost half an hour, and trying to drive across campus is a fool’s errand because of TU’s high commuter population. The shuttles are always an option, but their schedule might not match yours. Thankfully, Towson is a pretty bike-friendly campus. You’ll find bike racks in front of most buildings and there’s even a bike-repair station in front of the Union.
Campus Rec is also offereing a semester-long bike share program. The first 28 students who sign up will get a bike to use for the semester for the low cost of $20. Registration opens Sept. 5 at noon. Virtually all of campus is lined with wide paths with plenty of room for pedestrians and cyclists-though trying to bike through the Glen Woods might not be too wise-which makes biking a great option if you want to move faster than your feet can take you.
How to best bike around campus
Jordan Cope/ The Towerlight Students who want to bike to and from their classes can stash their bikes at any of TU’s bike racks.
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