Sooo…. Howard has their own books?

In college, books for your classes become some of the most expensive expenses for any college student. The books could go from 50 dollars or all the way to 300. Finding a website that sells the needed book or possibly someone who is selling the book takes a huge burden of your already overly stressed shoulders. The good thing about that is, finding a used book for much less is not hard to find, unless you are a Howard University student.

First semester of college, I was supposed determined to find all the books, all 8 books, for my classes. I surely wanted to start of my first semester of college prepared. However, while searching far and wide, I found that finding cheaper books were practically impossible.

Howard Edition!

A VOUS (VOLUME I CUSTOM TEXT): Howard Edition-$114.99
Writing Matters: Howard Edition-86.99

Finding used Howard Edition books for cheap is like finding a needle in a hay stack. As other universities use a general book that can be found online or by other students nationwide, Howard “customizes” their books to fit Howard. It also hikes up the price.

I understand that the university wants everything to be catered to them when it comes to their curriculum. However, they have to understand that we are college students. Many of us, such as myself, cannot continue to pay for these overly expensive Howard edition books nor can I keep taking out loans to ease the cost of books. And to make these books mandatory to have without offering another option is wrong. I know for a fact that these books are not as expensive as they are priced, not adding the extra $7.00 tax they put on it. In fact, I do not understand the difference between a general subject book and a Howard Edition book minus the fact that it says Howard Edition on the cover.

I honestly feel as if I am being taken advantage of, as well as many other students. I think Howard should do away with the Howard Edition books and start teaching out of general books other universities use to ease the cost for the many financially struggling college students.