Life as a student is not always roses and flowers as we often see in TV series.
It is expensive.
As a college student, you pay for your housing, textbooks, food, tuition, and transportation.
Even if you are working a part-time job and you are meticulously saving money, sometimes it is not enough. You have to pay for those extra bills and social events.
And let me guess. Starting your day as a student without your favorite cup of coffee from your favorite coffee shop is not worth it.
That’s why getting a side hustle is a good way to earn some extra money!
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is a way to make extra money outside your first job.
Do not switch a side hustle with a part-time job. The difference is that a side hustle gives you more freedom and control than a part-time job.
14 Smart side hustles for college students to make extra money
Let’s discover the 14 smart side hustles for college students to make extra money.
1. Start a blog
Nowadays, starting a blog and turning it into your passive income is a life changer.
If writing is your hobby, you can consider starting a blog and start earning through ads, affiliate marketing, partnerships, selling your merchandise, and more.
Other than boosting your income, blogging has many other benefits
- it can be fun
- you learn new skills like coding, SEO, writing, networking, and more
- it helps you establish yourself as an authority
- can inspire others
Read How to start a successful blog in 2023
2. Tutoring
Do you have a lot of patience? Are you good enough in a specific subject?
Tutoring could be the right way to earn something without struggling too much.
Well, maybe the one you are helping is struggling to understand something, and you are so kind to help him or her.
You can tutor elementary, medium, and high school students or your fellow.
You can decide whether to be an online tutor or meet the person.
Moreover, it does not require specific qualifications.
All you need is excelling in the subject you want to tutor and some patience, other than being comfortable teaching others.
Who knows? Maybe this can be the chance to start a new friendship!
3. Sell digital products
Selling digital products is a great chance to earn a small extra while studying.
You can create digital products you think can be helpful, such as digital planners, workout schedules, worksheets, or studying planners.
Choose and pick your design and your audience carefully and stick to it.
You can sell your digital products on Etsy or open an e-commerce website and earn your first income!
4. Sell unwanted stuff
Let me guess: over time, you have collected clothes, books, pots, bags, or shoes, but now you intend to do a makeover of your look or sweet home.
Guess what?
Turn this makeover into a chance to earn extra money.
You can sell your stuff online or in a thrift market. And the best part is, you can set your price as you wish!
5. Start a YouTube channel
If you are not shy and you love staying in front of a camera, starting a YouTube channel is the perfect side hustle while enjoying what you are doing.
Because nowadays, vlogging is popular.
Sharing your daily routine and hobbies, favorite recipes, or life as a college student is a great way to monetize your channel and earn extra money.
You can start a motivational channel, study channel, fitness, food and recipes, or fashion.
Who knows? You can be a source of motivation and inspiration to others.
6. Complete online surveys
Completing online surveys is a game-changer and one of the 14 smart side hustles for college students.
You do need specific skills or equipment to do so.
Instead, you download apps like InboxDollars, Swagbucks, and Survey Junkie, create your profile, and then get started.
With online surveys, you will not gain a lot, but you will earn a little extra to pay for your daily needs or spare for emergencies.
7. Earn cash back
What will you do if I say you can earn a small percentage from your purchases?
Well, with cash-back apps, it is possible!
Download apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Fetch, or use a browser extension!
8. Sell your notes
If you are good enough at taking notes and do not mind sharing them with someone who might need them, selling your class notes is a profitable side hustle as a college student.
Write original, understandable notes, create a profile, upload them online, choose the price, and start earning for every note sold.
Use websites like Stuvia, OneClass, Nexus Notes, StudySoup, and Studypool.
Apart from earning something, you will be helpful to someone!
9. Write ebooks
Are you a good writer? Do you enjoy writing and sharing your work with the world?
Well, writing an ebook may be one of the smartest passive incomes for college students to make extra money. Moreover, you will improve your writing skills.
Write about everything you love and think could attract the right audience.
It could be a short story, a thriller book, a poem book, a recipe book, or a non-fiction.
You can use several sites to sell your ebooks, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, Visme, and Rakuten Kobo.
Alternatively, you can create your website and start selling there!
10. Babysitting
If you love spending time around children and live in a bustling city, babysitting is a great opportunity to earn some extra on weekends or holidays.
Before starting to seek out clients, figure out your time during the week, on weekends or holidays, when you would be available to babysit.
Do not forget that babysitting could be a chance to gain experience if you plan to start a career as a teacher or educator.
You can create a profile on sites like Sittercity, UrbanSitter, or Care.com
11. Petsitting
Pets are great and lovely, aren’t they?
If you are pet-friendly and you don’t mind spending time with some furry friends, you can decide to start petsitting.
In other words, you will be responsible for the pet’s daily needs and spend time with them as a companion when their owners are away.
You do not need a license to start petsitting.
However, you must have a love for animals, and you should be familiar with animal behavior and emergencies.
Remember, before you agree to pet sit, make sure you’ve outlined what you will and will not do.
12. Become a lifeguard
There is nothing better than spending your time relaxing and getting tunned without much effort.
Lifeguarding is one of the best jobs for those seeking some experience while having fun.
If you are a pro at swimming, consider signing up as a lifeguard at your community pool or university!
13. Photography
Photography is another great way to earn an extra income as a college student.
If taking pictures is your hobby or you enjoy it, turn it into a potential side hustle.
You can sell stock photos online, such as Shutterstock, iStockPhoto, Alamy, and Etsy, and wait to earn a commission every time someone buys your work.
14. Start a podcast
If you love telling stories and entertaining people with debates and conversations, consider starting a Podcast.
A Podcast is a series of audio episodes distributed over the internet and related to a specific theme.
You can download them or stream them from the internet.
Podcasting is a good side hustle for college students who enjoy talking, sharing thoughts, telling, and conversing.
To start a Podcast, you only need a few steps and equipment.
- Choose a Podcast topic you can commit to
- Pick your Podcast name
- Write a thrilling Podcast description
- Select your Podcast format
- Get your Podcast music and graphics created
- Buy your Podcast Equipment
- Choose your Podcast hosting service
- Record your Podcast episodes
- Publish your Podcast episodes
Simple, right?
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to earn money as a college student.
Some of them involve your passion and talents.
You can earn extra money without worrying about spending too much time running from one place to another or getting rejected during your job interview!
Hopefully, you will find the best side hustle for you as a student!
