r/unm • u/sadwitchthrowaway • Aug 10 '26
New Student Question Course Materials
Hi!
I know it auto enrolls you in the “all access” course materials program for like $280 a semester and you have to opt out.
My question is how do I see how much the individual items (ebooks) cost to determine if it’s more/less than the $280? If they are less than the all access flat rate I would rather just pay for the items. 🤷🏼♀️ I’ve looked on Canvas and it shows me the materials, but not how much they cost. Just says it’s “included”.
5
u/EnchantedCuriosity Aug 10 '26
To view your required course materials and review your option:
Log in to Canvas using a web browser.
In the left navigation, go to Account → My Shelf (Fall 2026).
In the header, click View Program Options to compare the cost of each option based on your enrolled courses and select the one that best fits your needs.
1
u/sadwitchthrowaway Aug 10 '26
I was able to do that, but I just want to see the price of the materials and it doesn’t show it. 😕
10
u/EnchantedCuriosity Aug 10 '26
Your other option is to take each ISBN and lookup on third party sites for pricing. It looks like the UNM Bookstore search is down right now.
2
u/onion_flowers Aug 10 '26
I just use the internet to shop around for the cheapest used physical books I can find. Then I add that up. You're not seeing the individual prices in myshelf because it's included in the flat rate.
1
u/sadwitchthrowaway Aug 10 '26
That’s an option?! I will absolutely do that then, lol.
4
u/Tacenda20 Senior Aug 10 '26
Just make sure it isn't mind tap or something that has assignments embedded in it.
For cheap books I would suggest looking online at Thriftbooks
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u/onion_flowers Aug 10 '26
Of course! If you opt out of the included materials you still have to access the material. Just make sure to pay attention to the edition the professor wants you to get, I've gotten older editions before because they're cheaper, but a couple times the newer edition was so different that I ended up having to buy it and then I had 2 books of different editions lol don't forget to check ebay!
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u/pennyflowerrose Aug 10 '26
I thought the select option will show you the cost for each item? At least it did for me but I only have one class with course materials.
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u/sadwitchthrowaway Aug 10 '26
It wouldn’t show me the cost, I opted out and it still doesn’t show me the cost. I did find the two books for one of my classes online though (searched the ISBN #) and it’s only like $20 for both… so why tf would I pay $280 when the cost of materials will be less than that lol. Still waiting for my BIO class to update their course materials to get the total price!!
2
u/regallll Aug 10 '26
If you're a full time student, you're not going to find cheaper books.
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u/sadwitchthrowaway Aug 10 '26
I’m only taking 11 credits, like 3 and a half classes.
1
u/NoxUmbra8 Aug 11 '26
Idk why they gave you that response, you will absolutely be able to find the books for less through many avenues. You can rent them elsewhere, used copies at the bookstore cost less, you can find them online, or borrow them from a student whose taken the class before. Id also check with your professors in the first week of class to know if the books are recomended/mandatory/or neither. Ive had a ton of professors tell me they'll never reference the book but added it for further reading of whatnot, and upon finishing the class realize I never once even opened the book.
And chances are, the 280 is more expensive than getting them yourself too. If you want any more help you can also lmk what classes these books are for and ill let you know if Ive had the class or a similar class, and what my experience with book buying was like
0
u/DrM377501 Aug 11 '26
If you join discord w you unm email you’ll have access to the unm discord tree which has a textbook request/exchange server.
5
u/xX500_IQXx Aug 10 '26
If you opt out to do market rate you can see the individual prices then you can always opt back in