Juggling studies and finances can feel overwhelming for college students. Textbooks, rent, and occasional coffee can add up fast, making your bank account a little worse. But fear not! There's a way to keep your pockets lined without sacrificing those A's.
This article dives into 30 fantastic side hustles that you can fit into your already-packed schedule. Whether you're good with words, a social media expert, or a handyman in the making, there's a perfect money-making opportunity out there for you. These side hustles are designed for the flexibility and skills of today's college students. So get ready to explore the exciting world of side hustles!
1. Sell Stock Photos
Businesses, blogs, and marketing campaigns often need high-quality stock photos to elevate their visual content. If you are a college student with a knack for photography, you can upload your photos on platforms like iStock and earn a commission for each download. You can experiment with different styles. For instance, you can use your friends as models or capture candid scenes around campus. This is a surefire way to use your creativity to maximize your earning potential with every shot you take.
2. Start a Part-Time Photography Business
If you’ve been taking photos and selling them as stock images, don't limit yourself to just selling stock photos online. You can start a part-time photography business right in your home town or city.
Begin by creating a portfolio of your best work. This collection will showcase your skills and help attract clients. Once your portfolio is ready, start advertising your services. You can reach out to local families and fellow students who might need a photographer for various occasions.
The great thing about having your own photography business is that you get to set your own prices and choose your own working hours. This flexibility allows you to fit the business around your existing schedule and commitments. So, why not turn your passion for photography into a profitable side gig?
3. Babysit
If you’re a college student, whether your campus is in a quiet rural area or a bustling big city, there’s always a demand for babysitters. If you enjoy spending time with children, this could be a great way to earn some extra money. First, think about your schedule and find some times during the week or on weekends when you’re free to babysit.
Next, decide on how much you’ll charge per hour. Once you’ve figured that out, you can create a profile on websites like Sitter City or Care.com to help you find families in need of a babysitter. Don’t worry if you think your town is too small to find good opportunities. You can always print out some professional-looking flyers and hand them out to your professors. Remember, even teachers need a break sometimes!
4. Give Tours
If you live in a city or town that attracts tourists, becoming a tour guide could be a great side job, especially if you're in college. Think about what you know well—maybe it's the unique architecture, the best places to eat, or local ghost stories. Use this knowledge to create an interesting tour route that people would pay for.
You can advertise your tour on local websites or even on platforms like AirBnB. If you're not confident enough to charge tourists just yet, check with your university’s admissions office. They might need guides to show prospective students around the campus. This could be a good way to gain experience and build your confidence.
5. Drive for Uber or Lyft
If you have your own car at college, you have a great opportunity to earn some extra cash by providing taxi services on platforms like Uber or Lyft. These ride-sharing companies are very popular because people use them for all sorts of trips, from quick grocery runs to longer rides to the airport.
As a local Uber or Lyft driver, you can do especially well around a college campus. Many students don't have their own cars and often need rides to various places. This means there’s a high demand for drivers in college areas.
6. Deliver Food
Many college students, professors, and just about everyone enjoys takeout. If you have a car, you can use this to your advantage by becoming a driver for food delivery services like UberEats, GrubHub, or DoorDash. It's straightforward: wait for an order, pick it up from the restaurant, and deliver it to the customer.
Delivering food can turn people's love for takeout into an opportunity for yourself. It's a simple, convenient way to make money while meeting a constant demand for quick and tasty meals.
7. Deliver Anything Else Someone Might Need
If you're looking for more than just food delivery, there's a whole market out there for delivering other items. Imagine bringing people their groceries, important documents, or even school supplies. This kind of service is in high demand and can be a great side hustle.
One popular platform for this type of work is Postmates. With Postmates, you have the flexibility to deliver items whenever it fits your schedule. Whether you have a car, a bicycle, or prefer to walk, you can use any of these methods to make deliveries.
It's a straightforward way to earn some extra money on your own terms. Check out their website to get started and see how you can join this growing delivery service industry.
8. Haul Junk
A few years back, a businessman introduced a startup called College Hunks Hauling Junk, on the TV show, Shark Tank. The company has since grown and become a great part-time job option for college students. The company welcomes both men and women. The "hunks" part of the name stands for Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable, Service.
If you join College Hunks Hauling Junk, your job will be to help people get rid of unwanted items from their homes or businesses. It’s perfect for those who need some extra cash and enjoy physical work.
However, if working for a company doesn’t suit you, you can start your own junk removal service. All you need is a pickup truck or you can rent one when needed. Then, you can advertise your services on websites like Craigslist or local community boards.
9. Become a Handyman or Handywoman
Wherever you live, you'll find that some people either can't do simple household repairs or simply don't want to. If you have skills in fixing things around the house, you could make money by offering your services as a handyman or handywoman.
To get started, advertise your skills on your local services website or put up flyers at different local businesses. You’ll have the freedom to choose your working hours and set your own rates for each job. Keep in mind that many people are willing to pay well for tasks like swinging a hammer, installing a new light fixture, or assembling furniture.
Offering these services can be a great way to earn extra income, especially if you enjoy working with your hands and helping others with their home improvement needs.
10. Start Your Own Etsy Business
If you're a college student with a bit of free time and a knack for creativity, starting a business on Etsy could be a great way to earn some extra money. It’s pretty simple to get going. You just need to set up a profile on Etsy, then start selling your handmade items. These could be anything from greeting cards and baby girl bows to crocheted scarves and other crafty creations.
Don't worry if you're not particularly artistic. You can still make a successful Etsy shop by finding interesting items at garage sales or estate sales. Pick out the best treasures you find and sell them on your Etsy page. This way, you can still enjoy the benefits of running your own small business without having to make the items yourself.
11. Turn your car into a moving advertisement
One of the simplest side hustles for college students involves turning your car into a mobile advertisement. It's straightforward and requires minimal effort.
First, find a company that is interested in paying you to display their advertisement on your car. Many companies are looking for drivers to help them reach a wider audience this way.
Once you have a deal with a company, they'll provide you with a magnet or mesh ad to place on your car. The next step is easy – just attach the ad to your vehicle.
Then, go about your daily routine. Drive to class, run errands, and hang out with friends – all while showcasing the ad. As you drive around, you'll be earning money simply by displaying the company's advertisement. It's a hassle-free way to make some extra cash while you go about your normal activities.
12. Become a Freelancer
Freelance writing is becoming a popular career choice. Many people are now making a living by creating content for websites. If you have a talent for writing, or skills in illustrating, coding, or graphic design, there's a platform called Upwork that might be perfect for you.
Upwork connects freelancers with clients who need various projects done. As a freelancer, you can browse through different projects and apply for the ones that interest you. You have the freedom to set your own rates and work on the projects according to your own schedule.
This means you can choose the work you enjoy and manage your time in a way that suits you best. It's a flexible and rewarding way to use your skills to earn money.
Other Side Hustles That are Fit for College Students:
- Editing classmates’ Papers for a fee
- Writing cover letters and resumés for your Classmates
- Becoming a tutor
- Doing proctor tests
- Being a house sitter
- Pet sitting
- Dog walking
- Getting hired as an overnight attendant
- Offering lawn and gardening services
- Shoveling snow during the winter
- Offering moving services
- Providing house-cleaning services
- Teaching music or sports lessons
- Becoming a street performer
- Signing up as a substitute teacher
- Entertaining kids at birthday parties
- Being a lifeguard
- Offering painting services