It’s no secret that college is one of the most expensive and important investments you’re ever going to make. For many college students, one of the only options to help keep debt to a minimum is to take on a job through college. But not all part-time jobs are very flexible or willing to work around classes, exams, and the time you need to study. This can leave you in the lurch and feeling like you have to choose between going to school and working to pay for your education.
Fortunately, freelancing and side hustles have become much more prominent in recent years. Unlike a part-time job, side hustles are generally more flexible, allow you to set your own hours, and work as little or as much as you like. This can make it way easier to not only get some extra cash in your pocket but also to still find the time you need to focus on school.
Gigs Where You Build the Schedule
Perhaps some of the most enticing side gigs are those where you’re in control of the schedule. Need to boost your budget before a big event you want to go to this weekend? Not a problem, just sign up for a little bit of work during the week. Flexibility is the ultimate benefit for college students whose class schedules are different every day of the week and whose social calendars are always in flux.
If you’re in need of a side hustle with a schedule you can set on your own, here are a few ideas:
- Uber/Lyft driver: Do you have a car and a clean driving record? Sign up to be a gig driver and work the hours that make sense for you. Plenty of your fellow college students need rides to the airport or to and from campus.
- Rent-A-Friend:Are you a social butterfly who likes to meet new people? You can get paid to hang out with people. This can be a fun way to make money, form new friendships, and do activities you enjoy, such as going out to eat or heading to the movies.
- Deliver food: Many small businesses have embraced apps like DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats and are constantly looking for people willing to deliver the food their customers order. Deliver a few meals to fellow students around campus and help pad your wallet.
You can also try out different kinds of gig jobs until you find one that works best for your schedule and wallet, and that you enjoy doing.
Making Your Hobby a Side Hustle
Maybe you want to get more out of your side hustle than just a way to offset your educational expenses — perhaps you’re looking to make some money off of one of your hobbies. And why not? Making money by doing something you love is what most people spend their whole lives looking for.
Here are a few ideas that could help you get started:
- Sell your crafts: If you’re really into painting, making homemade earrings, woodworking, or another crafty hobby, consider starting an e-commerce store so you can sell your products from home. You can enjoy the benefits of entrepreneurship (such as being your own boss and setting your hours), but you’ll have to be deliberate about your schedule to successfully run your business while staying on top of your studies.
- Music lessons: There are seemingly always parents who are interested in getting their kids into music lessons. Likewise, there are plenty of adults that would love to learn an instrument. If you have experience playing an instrument and the patience to work with beginners, this can be a great way to share your hobby with the world, make some extra money while doing it, and continue to refine your musical skills.
- Streaming gaming: Admittedly, it can be hard to make money streaming yourself playing video games — however, if you’re good at creating content and fun for others to watch, it can be a lucrative side hustle. To succeed as a streamer, take the time to optimize your gaming setup so you have everything you need to get started. The next step is to create an account where you can start streaming your games and build a network of other gamers to follow you.
If you’re so inclined, you could even carry your venture with you after graduation. This will allow you to continue to enjoy your hobby (and the income it brings) as you transition out of school and into the workforce.
Hustles that Put Your Skills to the Test
You’re going to college for a reason right? Chances are that you’ve picked up some pretty valuable career skills along the way. Why wait until you have a degree in hand to start putting some of them to use? There are plenty of side gigs out there that will let you begin to utilize the skills you’re learning, build your resume, and prepare to live independently after school.
Here are a couple of gigs where you can start putting your education to work:
- Substitute teach: If you’re looking to be an educator after graduating, what better way to start gaining experience than to become a substitute teacher while you’re still in college? Requirements to become a substitute teacher vary by state, as does pay, but this allows you to get paid and first-hand exposure to real classrooms.
- Personal training: If you’re interested in health and wellness, or studying a subject like kinesiology, you may be able to find work as a personal trainer or group exercise instructor at a local gym. Be sure to take the appropriate classes or obtain the right certifications for your area before you get started!
- Freelance writing and editing: The internet is full of opportunities if you’re a freelance writer. Many blogs are looking for guest authors and plenty of businesses are looking for people to promote their products online, such as by writing ad copy or creating social media posts. If you’re more of a grammatically minded person, you can certainly find work as a freelance editor or even by editing essays written by your classmates.
College is expensive and it can be hard to feel as though you have the resources you need to get the most out of the experience. Finding a side hustle that works with your school schedule can be challenging, but there are a lot of different opportunities out there. Tying a side job into something you’re passionate about or that ultimately helps you along your career path makes it that much easier to be successful, both during and after college.
