After a relaxing five weeks of winter break, Sacramento State students once again find themselves charging in and out of the Hornet Bookstore to buy required materials for spring classes. Even with the tremendous amount of students and the stress that students put themselves through to buy their books at the last minute, many cannot seem to buy their books at an earlier and convenient time.

Many Sac State students argue that their professors tend to change their minds about the books that they require their students to purchase. As a result, many students feel the need to buy their books during the first week of school, no matter how hectic things can get in the bookstore.

“A lot of teachers change their minds. I end up buying so many books that I didn’t even have to buy, which was really inconvenient for me,” said freshman Lissette Ramirez.

Joel Henderson, also a freshman, attempted to buy his books online, but was unable to find the books that he needed. He, too, found himself on the first day of spring semester weaving through the traffic that the bookstore brings during this time of year.

Other students, like junior Christina Hudson, feel that purchasing books at the Hornet Bookstore was much easier than having to order books online.

When asked about her last minute book buys, Hudson said teachers frequently change their minds about their books, and she did not want to find herself paying extra money than she had to.

Not only does it appear that professors switch materials for their classes, but they also seem to cancel books at the last minute, according to sophomore Francisco Aguilar.

“Teachers will require their students to buy a certain book, and then at the last minute tell them to buy a completely different book,” said Aguilar.

Students complained many of the books that they needed were sold out or on backorder.

“My communications book is on backorder, which causes me a bit of frustration since I could not get everything that I needed for my classes,” Henderson said.

No matter how long the lines may be or how many students crowd each other in such a limited space, students still may choose to buy their books during the first few days of school – this is a routine that Sac State students may never grow out of.

Jacqueline Tualla can be reached at [email protected]