Side hustles refer to jobs that are done during one’s free time, as opposed to working for an employer who dictates the schedule. Additionally, depending on the nature of the side job, individuals may have the flexibility to establish their own rates and choose the services they wish to provide.
College students should opt for side hustles that are effortless to undertake. For instance, while babysitting appeals to some, others may find satisfaction in performing miscellaneous tasks online during their leisure time. Identifying one’s strengths and avoiding additional pressure in an already hectic college schedule are crucial factors in choosing the most suitable side hustle.
If you’re a student interested in finding a profitable way to earn extra money, then you’re in the right spot.
Online Side Hustles For College Students
1. Sell Digital Products Online
Selling digital products is a profitable way to generate passive income. Digital products refer to intangible assets or media that can be sold and distributed online without the need for restocking inventory. By selling digital templates and tools, you can target your fellow college students as potential customers. Examples of digital products that can be sold include resume templates for job-seekers, various software programs, plugins, icons, fonts, or UX Kits designed specifically for web designers.
Cost to start: $0
How to get started
You have the flexibility to register on any platform that supports the sale of digital products. FreshLearn, an all-in-one platform designed for artists, enables you to sell your digital products and earn passive income. Additionally, it offers a freemium approach to help you commence selling digital items at no cost.
Difficulty:
It’s a side gig that offers significant advantages and is also quite simple.
Skills required
If you excel in a particular area, launching your digital product is an excellent side hustle that does not require any specific expertise.
Expected pay
It is possible to make money while you sleep, and your hourly earnings can exceed $500.
Benefits
- You help fellow students learn the subjects you have already learned by sharing your digital product.
- Once you create a digital product, you can keep selling it to anyone anywhere online(saving a lot of time and effort).
Drawbacks
- No drawbacks as you are sharing about things you know/love.
2. Start A Blog
Blogging, being a widely favored side gig, offers the flexibility to be pursued from any location. A particularly captivating dimension of blogging lies in its potential to indirectly enhance your existing occupation. By sharing your work with employers, you enable them to assess your problem-solving abilities and past projects. Consequently, this can greatly enhance your visibility and distinguish you from a multitude of resumes should you choose to seek new job prospects.
Cost to start
To begin a blog, one must make initial investments totaling approximately $34.50 to $65.40, which cover expenses such as domain registration, website hosting platform, and more.
How to get started
Select a name for your blog and obtain hosting for it. Pick a template from platforms such as Blogger, WordPress, or FreshLearn.
Difficulty: Easy
Skills required
There is no requirement for any skills.
Expected pay
Making an additional $500 to $2,000 per month through blogging in your initial year is relatively straightforward. Subsequently, in the following years, once you have established a readership and obtained subscribers, you can significantly boost your earnings to surpass $100,000.
Benefits
- This is something you can quickly build on the side with just a few hours of work per week.
- A blog gives people a reason to visit your website and creates a sense of community with common problems or interests.
Drawbacks
- A good blog requires regular updates.
- Technical issues like expired SSL certificates, plugin conflicts, and coding problems will cause issues with the blog.
3. Start A Newsletter
If you enjoy writing on various subjects, managing a blog, or owning a website, commencing a newsletter offers a creative means to generate income with minimal exertion. By distributing newsletters, you can begin earning money effortlessly.
Cost to start: $0
How to get started
- Choose a newsletter platform like Revue, Substack, Buttondown, etc.
- Select a topic to write on.
- Build your email list of all the users who sign up to receive your email newsletter.
- Start creating your newsletters.
Difficulty:
Starting a newsletter is a straightforward task.
Skills required
There is no need for any skills.
Expected pay
Career Capital, like other paid newsletters, generally has a monthly subscription fee of no less than $5, with the average price being $11 per month.
Benefits
- It helps you build a digital family and strengthen relationships.
- Newsletters are a time-saving strategy as you have to select a specific topic and send out emails on a defined schedule. You also can schedule them in advance, so they can go live automatically when the time comes.
Drawbacks
- No drawbacks as you are sharing knowledge with the world.
4. Become A Freelance Writer
If you’re a fast writer, freelance writing offers a straightforward way to make money. Numerous companies are in need of writers for different types of writing, such as blogs, technical writing, email writing, social content, and more.
Cost to start: $0
How to get started
You can register on various platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, etc., to kickstart your freelance writing career and receive immediate payment.
Difficulty:
Becoming a freelance writer can be a straightforward process, but it ultimately relies on your writing skills and experience.
Skills required
Having a good grasp of grammar and knowing how to write are crucial skills for this side hustle.
Expected pay
It is possible for skillful writers to earn a respectable income. On average, writers make slightly more than $63,000 per year, which means it is achievable to earn $1,000 per month while working part-time.
Benefits
- You don’t need any formal training to write.
- You can write on your own time and virtually from anywhere.
- As a freelance writer, you can learn about new topics.
Drawbacks
- There can be inconsistent income.
- Overworking is another problem that freelancers face.
5. Build A Directory Website
One can earn passive income without commuting by creating a directory website where various products and services are listed and available for browsing. There are multiple ways to monetize this website, such as charging for listings and selling advertising space. It is considered to be one of the simplest online side hustles for students.
Cost to start
The cost of launching a directory website, which covers website development and hosting, can range from $12 to $100.
How to get started
- Choose a website platform like WordPress
- Select a hosting provider and a domain name
- Install a directory theme to control your site’s looks
- Decide how to monetize your site
Difficulty:
Building a directory website is a simple task.
Skills required
No specific skills are needed.
Expected pay
On average, you have the potential to earn between $0 and $1000 per day over the span of a month.
Benefits
- You can work from anywhere.
- Unlimited income potential.
Drawbacks
- Competition is high when it comes to your directory website-making business.
In-person Side Hustles For College Students
1. Rideshare Driver
If you possess a dependable vehicle, auto insurance, and can successfully pass a background check, you have the option to register with rideshare platforms such as Uber and Lyft. Both companies provide excellent opportunities to earn extra income at your convenience.
You have the flexibility to determine your own schedule and select the rides you want to accept. Once you install the app and indicate your availability, you can view the requested rides and their payment details. Both platforms provide a form of base pay and promotional pay during busy periods or when additional support is required. Moreover, you are entitled to retain all the tips you receive from both services.
The advantage is that you have the flexibility to earn money whenever necessary or when you have a few hours of leisure. You are not obliged to adhere to a fixed schedule. In the event that you unexpectedly have some free time, you can simply offer your availability and earn additional income.
2. Babysitting
If you’re pursuing a career in education or any other field involving children, babysitting can be a valuable opportunity for college students to gain relevant work experience. It serves as an excellent side hustle option.
You can determine your availability and rates, and promote your services by placing your information on your social media profiles and distributing flyers in the vicinity. Inform your acquaintances about your willingness to babysit, as word-of-mouth is frequently the most effective method for obtaining babysitting opportunities.
You have the potential to earn between $15 to $25 (or even more!) per hour for babysitting, depending on your location. This can enable you to comfortably cover your living costs and make progress in repaying your student loan.
3. Donate Plasma
If you are searching for distinctive ways to earn extra income, donating plasma is worth considering. If you meet the necessary criteria, you can do this a few times each month. To qualify, you must be in good health and successfully pass the physical examination conducted by the donation center.
Donating plasma is an ideal choice for college students as it requires minimal time commitment of a few hours per month. Not only can you earn a decent income from it, but you are also providing vital assistance to individuals with specific illnesses who heavily depend on this scarce resource for their health and well-being.
4. Become a Lifeguard
There are lifeguarding opportunities available at local pools, whether you decide to go home for the summer or stay on campus. It is recommended to check with local community centers and private country clubs.
If you possess strong swimming skills and are adept at working with children, you have the opportunity to combine your talents and provide swimming lessons. Whether you secure employment at the nearby community pool or opt for private instruction, teaching kids to swim can be a lucrative way to earn additional income.
5. Housecleaning
If you enjoy cleaning houses, start your own housecleaning business. This kind of enterprise thrives through recommendations and localized advertising. After having cleaned a few houses, you can request your clients to spread the word about your excellent service or leave reviews on your social media platforms for others to witness.
Housecleaners are in high demand in bustling cities, as there are ample opportunities for advertising services. However, even residents of small college towns can benefit from hiring housecleaners.
6. Gardening and Lawn Maintenance
Engaging in gardening and lawn upkeep serves as an excellent supplementary source of income in the spring and summer seasons. When you have time off from school, tending to lawns can generate substantial earnings. Although it involves strenuous physical labor, the monetary rewards from lawn maintenance can offer additional funds towards repaying student loans or, at the very least, help make a significant dent in them.
Online Side Hustles For College Students Vs. In-Person
Whether you prefer to work remotely or step out of your apartment or dorm, students have the opportunity to discover excellent side hustles both online and in person, depending on their skills and desired level of independence.
Pros & Cons of Online Side Hustles
Being able to work at any hour is what makes online jobs convenient for college students. A night owl, for instance, can earn extra money by working their online job at 1 AM. Conversely, an early riser can complete their tasks in the morning and still have the entire day to focus on school responsibilities.
Easy side hustles can be found online, including data entry, web development, online tutoring, or freelance writing.
However, there are drawbacks to online side hustles. If you opt for a particular job, you might have to take care of your own marketing efforts or give a percentage of your earnings to a third-party platform. For instance, if you promote tasks on Fiverr, they retain 20% of your profits, resulting in a reduced income for you. Additionally, being meticulous and well-organized is essential to ensure that your online side hustle is profitable.
Pros & Cons of In-person Side Hustles
There are numerous flexible side hustles available for those who prefer working in-person. Many platforms allow you to pre-plan and create your own schedule.
Engaging in side hustles that require in-person presence can also be lucrative, considering the physical tasks involved such as driving, delivering, or caring for children or pets.
There are also drawbacks to pursuing side hustle jobs in person. It can be difficult to fit shifts into your already busy college schedule. Furthermore, you have to adhere to the service’s operating hours. Consequently, if you have more availability during late night hours, your choices may be limited.
