Going to college can be both an enriching and an exciting time for students. Furthering your education, meeting new people, and expanding your view of the world are just a few of the benefits that come with attending a university to obtain a degree in your chosen field.
However, for many people, the college experience is also one that calls for learning how to get by on a small budget, stretching your dollars and figuring out how many different ways to incorporate ramen noodles into your meals. Starting a side gig, even if it involves working just a few hours a week, can aid in bringing in some much appreciated extra cash!
In this article, we go over some of the best side hustles for college students today. We also offer a few helpful tips on how to go about working while attending a university.
Table of contents
- 1. Selling products online
- 2. Affiliate marketing
- 3. Translating
- 4. Freelancing
- 5. Managing social media
- 6. Dog walking / pet sitting
- 7. Delivering food
- 8. Grocery shopping
- 9. Ridesharing
- 10. Tutoring
- 11. Being a resident advisor
- 12. Giving campus tours
- 13. Participating in research studies
- 14. Assisting at the library
- 15. Working as a lifeguard
- 16. Doing yard work
- 17. Provide a cleaning service
Best ideas for online and remote work
1. Selling products online
With your own online store, you can work from anywhere at any hour of the day, fitting it seamlessly around your class schedule and study commitments. This flexibility allows you to invest as much or as little time as you have available, making it ideal for the fluctuating demands of college life.
In addition, an ecommerce venture is relatively simple to scale. As you progress through your college years and possibly have more time, you can expand your store by adding new products to sell and exploring new markets, potentially increasing your revenue.
Starting an ecommerce venture does require initial effort, such as performing market research to determine what products to sell and setting up your store correctly to ensure a solid start. Once operational, though, your primary responsibility is going to be fulfilling orders.
Although you'll need to develop an effective marketing strategy to be successful over the long haul, your promotional efforts can be adjusted to fit the time you can devote, allowing you to balance it effectively with your academic obligations.
Make the launch and management of your online store all the more simple by choosing the WiziShop ecommerce platform!
With our vast array of templates, you can easily design a site that matches what you envision for your brand. Furthermore, our revolutionary artificial intelligence allows you to generate product descriptions, FAQs, blog posts, translations, and other kinds of text in just a few clicks, saving you even more time.
And if you're a complete newbie when it comes to ecommerce? No problem! WiziShop offers a a variety of video training modules to boost your online sales knowledge at your own pace. You'll also have access to a team of Business Coaches to assist you with any question you might have about your ecommerce site.
Try WiziShop free for 7 days
THE EASIEST NO-CODE ECOMMERCE SOLUTION✅ No credit card required
✅ Access to all features
✅ No commitment
2. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services through personalized links on blogs, social networks, or websites, students earn commissions on sales made through these links. It's an easy way to earn passive income, making it a perfect side hustle for college students!
To be successful in affiliate marketing, choosing a niche you are passionate about is key, as this is going to make content creation more enjoyable and authentic.
You can then join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or those offered by specific brands, later focusing on building engaging content and growing your audience. Don't forget to utilize SEO techniques to drive traffic to your platforms and monitor your performance analytics to optimize your strategies.
Achieving affiliate marketing success is streamlined with the Evolup platform, where you can create a customized affiliate store using diverse templates. Evolup supports integration with all affiliate programs and enhances the site-building process with AI tools for niche selection, business naming, slogan creation, and content generation.
In addition, you'll have access to ecommerce tutorials and expert coaching. Launch your affiliate adventure with a 7-day free trial and continue with pricing plans beginning at only $10 per month!
3. Translating
Translating is a superb remote job for college students, especially those fluent in more than one language. It remains in high demand despite AI tools because human translators provide cultural nuance, accuracy, and context that machines tend to miss, crucial for legal documents, creative content, and technical manuals.
You can get your start with this kind of gig through freelance platforms like Upwork or ProZ, showcasing your language skills and specialization areas. Gaining certification in translation can also boost credibility.
In the beginning, accepting diverse projects can aid in building experience, but focusing on a niche can lead to better-paying, specialized work in the long term.
4. Freelancing
While some people like the stability that working as an employee of a company offers, others turn to freelancing for the most flexibility possible. Freelancing can be a great option for college students who prefer to have more control over when they work.
Popular freelancing roles include writing, graphic design, web development, and digital marketing, catering to various skills and interests. To begin freelancing, it's beneficial to create a strong portfolio to present your work and join platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to find projects.
Networking with peers and professionals can also lead to opportunities. Setting clear communication guidelines and managing time effectively are crucial to maintaining a balance between freelancing and academic responsibilities.
5. Managing social media
Students well-versed in digital platforms and keen on marketing and communication will no doubt find social media management to be a great form of work to do while at university. This role involves managing social media profiles for businesses or individuals, creating content, and engaging with audiences, providing valuable real-world marketing experience.
As a growing number of companies are popping up on social networks to connect with their audiences, the demand for people who are skilled in managing a presence on the various platforms is likely to continue increasing as well.
You can build a portfolio by managing your own socials or volunteering for student organizations. Then, reach out to nearby businesses or startups that might not have a robust social presence. Consider offering tailored packages and demonstrate your understanding of different social media trends and analytics tools to show potential clients the value you can bring to their online presence.
Easy service jobs
6. Dog walking / pet sitting
Are you drawn to dogs, cats, guinea pigs, or other critters from the animal kingdom? Why not earn some extra money by providing pet care?
Pet care, including dog walking and pet sitting, is a great side job for college students due to its flexible scheduling and the emotional rewards of interacting with animals. This gig can easily accommodate class times and study sessions, and it provides healthy activity and stress relief!
To begin, build trust by getting certified in pet first aid and gathering references from friends or family for whom you’ve cared for pets. Create a profile on platforms like Rover or Wag to reach a broader client base. Networking in your neighborhood or posting on community boards can also help attract your first clients.
7. Delivering food
If you like staying on the move, food delivery can be the perfect side gig for you while in college. With this venture, you can opt to deliver restaurant meals, grocery items, or both to expand your client base.
Food delivery allows you to work according to your own schedule, fitting deliveries around classes and study times. What's more, getting started is easy by signing up with popular delivery apps like UberEats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, or Grubhub.
Note that one thing you absolutely must have with this kind of work is a reliable mode of transportation, whether it’s a car, bike, or scooter. It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your area to make deliveries more efficient.
8. Grocery shopping
We previously mentioned delivering groceries as a great side hustle for college students, but a related gig also offers a good money-making opportunity: grocery shopping for others.
There are numerous reasons why other people are willing to pay somebody to take care of their grocery shopping for them, whether due to health or accessibility issues, the saving of time, or the added convenience. Platforms like Instacart or Shipt make it easy for you as the shopper to connect with customers.
Similar to being a food deliverer, as a grocery shopper for other people, you'll need to have a reliable method of transportation. Then, having a good understanding of local grocery store layouts can assist in enhancing efficiency.
9. Ridesharing
Continuing on with the theme of transporting—this time involving the transport of people —ridesharing is another lucrative side hustle for college students. It's also a good way to earn extra cash based on personal availability.
To start, you should choose a popular platform like Uber or Lyft and ensure that your vehicle meets the company's standards. Note that it's crucial to have a valid driver’s license, appropriate insurance, and to pass any required background checks.
To maximize earnings, it can be advantageous to drive during peak demand times, such as weekends and evenings. Providing excellent customer service can also lead to higher ratings and more ride requests.
Great on-campus gigs
10. Tutoring
By working as a tutor, you'll get to enjoy flexible scheduling, but you'll also get to reinforce your own knowledge, making it academically beneficial. To boost your chances of success, you'll need to identify your strongest subjects and create a tutoring profile on platforms like Tutor.com or Wyzant, or advertise your services on campus bulletin boards and social networks.
Begin by setting competitive rates and gathering testimonials from peers you’ve helped informally. Be patient, as building a client base takes time.
You might also offer to conduct sessions both in-person and online to maximize your reach and convenience for clients. This adaptability can help you attract more students seeking assistance.
11. Being a resident advisor
Being a resident advisor (RA) is another rewarding side hustle for college students because it often comes with significant benefits such as reduced or free housing, which can substantially lower college expenses. Furthermore, RAs gain leadership, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
If this kind of gig interests you, express interest early by attending RA informational meetings and speaking with current RAs to understand the role’s demands and rewards.
Prepare a strong application highlighting your leadership experience, empathy, and ability to manage responsibility. Remember to participate actively in the selection process, which typically includes interviews and group exercises, to demonstrate your commitment and suitability for the role.
12. Giving campus tours
Another great side hustle to consider if you want to work close by is to give campus tours to people interested in attending your university. This job allows you to share your enthusiasm for your school while honing public speaking and interpersonal skills.
This role is especially suited for outgoing individuals who enjoy storytelling and interacting with prospective students and their families. To start, inquire at your college’s admissions office about tour guide opportunities, as they often recruit students for this role.
Highlight any prior experience in public speaking or leadership in your application. Being well-informed about your school’s history, traditions, and student life will also make you a more engaging and effective tour guide.
13. Participating in research studies
An easy way to earn extra money while attending college is to find on-campus research studies in which to participate. Research study participation not only offers compensation but also provides valuable learning experiences and potential academic connections.
You can regularly check your university’s psychology, sociology, business, or medical departments for advertised studies, as these often seek student participants. Signing up for online university research pools or checking dedicated research platforms like Prolific can also expand your opportunities.
Just be sure that you understand the time commitment and requirements of each study before participating. This role can offer insights into academic research processes, possibly influencing your career or further studies.
14. Assisting at the library
As a student attending a university, there's a decent chance that you'll become well acquainted with your school's library. Filled with books to help you learn more about your favorite (and not-so-favorite) topics, the library can also be a source of income for you by working as an assistant.
Working as a library assistant offers a quiet work environment, ideal for those who may want to study during downtime. This role typically involves organizing books, managing checkouts, and assisting patrons, which can enhance organizational and customer service skills.
Although earnings can vary by location, you can generally expect to get paid anywhere in the range of $10 to $15 per hour.
Top outdoor and physical jobs
15. Working as a lifeguard
If you're a strong summer and enjoy promoting safety and wellness, working as a lifeguard is a fantastic job to think about doing while in school. It provides a structured work environment and typically offers competitive pay.
With this type of gig, you'll need to become certified in lifeguarding, CPR, and first aid through organizations like the American Red Cross. Check local pools, beaches, or community centers for job openings—many are on the lookout for responsible lifeguards.
Finally, verify that you can commit to the required shifts and are prepared for the physical and mental responsibility of ensuring swimmers' safety.
16. Doing yard work
College students who love being outside and enjoy outdoor physical activities will no doubt find doing yard work to be an ideal side hustle. If this sounds like you, you can get started by advertising your services in neighborhoods nearby, online community groups, or through apps designed for local services.
Begin with basic offerings like lawn mowing, raking leaves, or weeding, and think about expanding to more skilled tasks like landscaping as you gain experience and tools. To build a strong, repeat customer base, aim to be reliable, communicate clearly with your clients about availability and rates, and always strive to provide quality service.
17. Providing a cleaning service
For individuals and businesses alike, cleaning is often a less-than-enjoyable chore, one that they're more than happy to pay others to do. For this reason, providing a cleaning service can be a profitable venture for college students.
To start, advertise your services through flyers, local online forums, or word of mouth in student housing areas. Invest in basic, quality cleaning supplies, and consider offering specialized services like eco-friendly cleaning or end-of-tenancy deep cleans to distinguish yourself from competitors.
Maintaining reliability and a high standard of cleanliness will help you build a positive reputation, leading to repeat clients and referrals, which are crucial for growing your cleaning business.
What are some good tips to follow when doing a side hustle in college to earn money?
Balancing a side hustle with college studies can be rewarding, yet challenging. Here are a few practical tips to help you manage both effectively:
- Prioritize time management: Develop a structured schedule that includes specific times for classes, study, and your side hustle. Using digital tools like calendar apps can help you keep track of deadlines and commitments efficiently.
- Choose flexible jobs: Opt for side hustles that allow you to control your work hours. Freelance gigs, online tutoring, or project-based work can provide the flexibility you need to accommodate your academic life while boosting your income.
- Set clear goals: Define what you want to achieve with your side hustle, whether it's a certain amount of money, gaining specific skills, or building a professional network. This clarity can aid you in staying focused and motivated.
- Avoid overcommitment: It’s important to know your limits. Overloading your schedule can lead to burnout and affect your academic performance. Be honest about what you can handle, and don’t hesitate to scale back if necessary.
By following these tips, you can make your side hustle a rewarding complement to your educational pursuits!
Want some more inspiration concerning money-making ventures? Take a look at some of our other posts!
