If you’re visiting a Uni bookshop for the first time right at the start of classes, you might be in for a bit of a shock. Most of the year, the Bookshop is a lovely place to be, but come the beginning of Semester that all changes. So here are some tips to help make the experience a little easier…
TIP 1 Come early! Most textbooks and equipment are available well before classes start, so if you’ve got your subjects confirmed, get in ahead of the crowds… it might mean losing a tiny bit of Summer holidays but believe us it’s worth it. If you’re visiting the shop in the first couple of weeks of classes, try to drop by as early or as late in the day as you can. While lunchtime is the most obvious time to grab your books, you’ll find hundreds of other people have the exact same idea. We operate extended hours for the first two weeks, so it’s easy to time your visit to avoid the busiest part of the day.
TIP 2 Do your homework! You’ll find RMIT textbook information here. To get your list, you’ll need your course codes, which you can find on myRMIT. Course codes are usually 4 letters and 4 numbers, for example ‘CHEM4567’. Some TAFE courses might be recorded under their overall code, such as ‘C4156’. Enter your course codes into the Textbook Search fields, and you’ll get a list showing all confirmed textbooks and their prices. Clicking through on each textbook will give you details of its’ location and current availability. Print out your list and bring it with you to the Bookshop to save yourself time, and to make it easier for our super-friendly staff members to help you if you’re having trouble finding anything.
TIP 3 Come prepared! At some points in the first weeks of semester, the queues in the Bookshop can be pretty long. There are a few things you can do to cut down on your waiting time, though. Having your payment ready you get to the registers will save time - it is fastest to pay with cash or card. Paying with cheques or over the phone will take much longer. If you’re not sure about anything you need, grab a staff member and get some help before you join the queues. You’ll find us on the floor all through the day and we’re experts at finding stuff and getting you through as quickly as possible! Lastly, bring a supermarket green bag or whatever other heavy-duty carrying equiement you’ve got… lots of textbooks are big, heavy and no fun to carry around in a plastic bag.
TIP 4 Join the Co-op! Signing up for RMIT Bookshop Co-op membership is a great idea, especially if you’ve got to buy a number of textbooks or if your course requires equipment and other materials. Unlike student discount, Co-op members get discounts on more than just books - you’ll save on stationery, art materials, lab & medical equipment and more. Membership is $10 and you’ll get the 12% member discount as soon as you join up. You can check out further details on Co-op membership here.
We hope these little ideas are helpful… We look forward to seeing you in Semester 1 and helping you get make a successful start at RMIT for 2011!
