Making Money While Balancing Studies
As a full-time student, managing finances can be a challenge. Full-time college students may have tuition fees, textbooks, and other daily expenses. High school students may desire to save up to buy a car or to simply earn extra spending money. In either case, finding ways to make extra money becomes essential. Fortunately, the rise of the gig economy and online platforms has opened up practically endless opportunities for students to earn income without sacrificing their studies. In my opinion, these are the top five side hustles that are ideal for full-time students looking to boost their income in their spare time.
Freelancing
Why is freelancing a great option for students?
Freelancing offers students the flexibility to work on projects based on their skills and schedule. Are you an avid reader with strong grammar skills? Try proofreading short stories for writers. Do you know how to create or update a website? Offer web design services to small business owners. Are you an aspiring graphic artist? You can design flyers, business cards, or even social media posts for others. Basically, you probably already have some marketable skills, even if you didn’t realize it!
Best places to find freelancing jobs:
There are many websites that make it easy for students to find freelancing opportunities. Here are a few popular options!
Pro Tip: If you’re nervous about charging for your services, try offering to work for family and friends first. This will allow you to hone your skills, increase your confidence, and build a portfolio to show off to potential clients!
Tutoring
Why is tutoring perfect for students?
This probably won’t surprise you, but I’m extremely biased towards tutoring as a wonderful side hustle for students. I started working as a part-time tutor while I was still a student. Then, I turned my passion for tutoring into a successful full-time career for more than a decade. If you’re interested in giving tutoring a try, start by deciding which subjects you excel in. After that, just set your prices and start spreading the word about your amazing tutoring services.
Best places to find tutoring jobs:
Students can easily find others to tutor among peers and relatives. You can also try advertising your services on your social media accounts. If you’re willing to give up a portion of your earnings in exchange for convenience, here are a few websites that allow you to easily find clients to work with.
Pro Tip: Ask your school or local library if they’ll allow you to place a poster or business cards in their lobby!
E-commerce
Why should students consider e-commerce?
There are many ways to cash in on the rise of e-commerce. If you are artistic, you can create handmade crafts, vintage items, or niche products to sell in online stores and reach customers worldwide. Please keep in mind that there is a learning curve associated with this option. You’ll have to learn be proactive about marketing and efficient at shipping the products. However, if you have products that you are excited to create and sell, e-commerce could be a very fulfilling choice for you.
Best sites for e-commerce:
Pro Tip: If you want to utilize your creativity for e-commerce but you don’t want to deal with shipping the items, try creating and selling t-shirts on platforms like Printful and Teespring.
Gig Economy Jobs
Why are gig economy jobs excellent for students?
The gig economy offers students a wide range of flexible, on-demand jobs that can be done on their own schedule. The most popular gig economy platforms allow students to earn money by providing ridesharing services, running errands, delivering food, or completing odd jobs. These are attractive options if you need the freedom to work when it’s convenient for you or pick up extra hours during breaks in your busy schedule.
Best places to find gig economy jobs:
- uber.com
- dasher.doordash.com
- driver.grubhub.com
- shoppers.instacart.com
- taskrabbit.com
- flex.amazon.com
Pro Tip: Consider using a time-tracking app to monitor how you spend your time and identify areas for improvement. By managing your time wisely, you can increase productivity and maximize your earnings in the gig economy!
Content Creation
Why is content creation a dream job for students?
With the rise of social media and digital platforms, content creation has become a viable side hustle for creative students. The best part is that you can really personalize your content creation journey. Whether it’s blogging, vlogging, podcasting, or creating social media content, there are numerous opportunities that could allow you to monetize your passion and expertise.
Best platforms for content creation:
Not all social media platforms are created equally. Some options are much more lucrative than others. Here are a few that offer monetization options such as ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. By consistently creating high-quality content and engaging with your audience, you can build a loyal following and generate income through your creative endeavors.
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Twitch
- Snapchat
- X (Formerly Twitter)
Pro Tip: Give it time! The thought of going viral and achieving overnight success might make content creation seem like the most appealing option on this list. However, most successful creators spend months, if not years, growing their audience before they begin earning a significant income.
I hope this article helps you discover new ways to leverage your talents, resourcefulness, and time management skills. With determination and dedication, these side hustles can not only provide financial support, but they can also provide valuable experience and opportunities for personal and professional growth.