Back to school shopping was always the best part of preparing for the next few long, torturous months. It was full of cute folders and colorful pens. But then we made it to college and back to school shopping took on a whole new meaning that included purchasing textbooks. Here is how that experience goes.

1. Realizing that time is running out and you need to order them now.

This is usually followed up by you saying, "I’ll order them after the beach on Sunday", or when you get back from that week away with your family.

2. Reading the list of required textbooks.

You go through each of your classes one by one to see what the required book will be. They sound boring. You switch tabs back to netflix for a couple of hours.

3. Searching the internet for the textbooks.

Now you search the internet for the best prices. the school bookstore is literally asking for an arm and a leg for the textbooks so you check Chegg. You decide to rent the used paperback copy of the textbook hoping that the previous owner has left answers and highlighted the important information in the book.

4. Denial

You’ve found all the textbooks for the cheapest possible price tags and the final total still nearly sends you into shock. You think of all the better ways these hundreds of dollars could be spent. Like on clothes, going out with your friends, or Chipotle.

5. Anger.

It sets in that you're about to drop over $100 for a math book you’ll probably open once, and stain with your tears in the process. As if you’re not already paying too much for tuition. You’re going to be broke until you're 40.

6. Acceptance.

You realize you need to spend this money on these books, as unexcited as you are. So you type in your card information and die a little inside as you press the purchase button. When they arrive they’re ugly fat and heavy. You cant wait until you return them at the end of the semester and they're out of your life forever.

Then you remember you have to do it all again next semester.