Back to school features the usual concerns about parking issues, compounded class schedules and technical difficulties surrounding sites like Canvas. Despite the stress and aggravation that come from these issues, one problem overshadows them all: the purchasing of textbooks and required readings. 

Professors, who largely wait until the first day of class to upload their syllabus and course reading requirements, expect students to purchase or rent their books by the next class period. Although this may not be an issue for some, I find it a total inconvenience. I do not buy most of my books from the Kennel Bookstore because I can usually order the readings online for a lower price. By ordering my books, however, I do not have access to the text until it arrives in the mail, which can take up to a week. 

I am then forced to buy the book from the Kennel Bookstore anyway in order to stay on top of the assigned reading. I know there is a library, but as someone who needs to mark up the text and add my own thoughts to the pieces I am reading, books at the library do not cut it. I, therefore, strongly suggest that professors should be required to post their syllabus to Canvas a week before classes start or they upload the readings required for the next class time to Canvas for easy and convenient access. 

For those professors who strategically wait to assign textbook assignments until the second or third week of school, I applaud your understanding of students’ financial restraints and desire to ensure students can procure their resources in a manner and time frame that best suits their needs.