The trope of the “broke college student” is one that has stood the test of time for a reason. While plenty of college kids have part-time jobs, it’s not always enough to cover all of your expenses. When you’re focused on your studies and extracurricular activities, it can be difficult to find full-time employment.
If you’re not able to get a full-time job and you need some extra money to pay the bills, consider taking on a side hustle.
Many side hustles can be done from the comfort of your dorm or off-campus apartment. Others can be done whenever you have some free time, so you’re still in complete control of your schedule.
Not sure where to start? Let’s take a look at four side hustles you can start almost right away to make extra money. With enough time and dedication, you might quickly find that these side gigs will even help to finance your college education, putting you in a better spot, financially, by the time you graduate.
1. Social Media Management
84% of people aged 18 to 29 use at least one social media platform. Gen Z, in particular, was raised in a world where social media was already thriving. While there have been some changes and shifts in platforms, chances are you know the ins and outs of regular social media use better than previous generations.
If that’s the case, consider becoming a social media manager for a company or brand. There are plenty of small businesses that don’t utilize social media the way they should. If you have the right skills, you can boost their marketing and help them grow. Social media managers take on a variety of tasks, including:
- Planning, creating, and scheduling posts;
- Building budgets for ad campaigns;
- Responding to comments and messages;
- Tracking and analyzing data;
- Tracking competitors.
If you’re savvy with social media, this is a great way to earn extra income. If you’re taking on a marketing or communications degree, having this job as a side hustle will look great on your resume.
2. Dropshipping
Dropshipping has become exceedingly popular in recent years thanks to an influx of people wanting to start their own businesses without a lot of overhead. Dropshipping allows you to sell products online without having to deal with your own warehouse or storage facility. You make a sale, and the order is passed on to a fulfillment center that will handle shipping.
It’s easy to get started with dropshipping. You don’t need to worry about a storefront, and it’s incredibly cost-effective when you’re on a budget. If you have products that people can’t get enough of, it’s a great way to make money quickly.
However, make sure you understand some of the risks of dropshipping. It’s highly competitive, there are low profit margins, and it’s not always easy to find trustworthy suppliers that will be willing to work with you. While it can be tempting to dive into a dropshipping business right away, it’s essential to weigh out some of the pros and cons before you get started.
3. Sell Your Belongings
You might have a goldmine in your closet.
Whether you consider yourself a fashionista, you have a wardrobe full of vintage gear, or you just always seem to know what’s in style, your clothes could end up making you quite a bit of money if you sell them online.
Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to sell items online – especially clothes, shoes, and accessories. Some of the best sites that streamline the process are:
- Poshmark;
- Etsy;
- ThredUP;
- LePrix.
By snapping some photos of your wardrobe, getting creative with your descriptions, and setting fair prices, people from all over the country can either purchase or bid on your items. All you need to do is ship them out and collect your payments. Gather up what you don’t wear or want anymore, and you might be surprised by how much you can make!
4. Drive or Dash
The popularity of meal delivery services has seen a huge spike in recent years. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many people relied on services like DoorDash and UberEats when they didn’t want to leave the house or when restaurants were only offering carryout options.
These platforms are still incredibly popular. In fact, many college students use them on a regular basis, whether they don’t have transportation to get off campus or they’re just too busy to go out for a meal. You could end up delivering a lot of food in a centralized location, maximizing the money you make without having to put in too much extra effort.
It doesn’t take much to get started with platforms like DoorDash. You need to have access to a reliable vehicle, be at least 18 years old, and complete the sign-up process with the company. You’ll also need to provide your social security number to complete a background check.
Depending on what people order, you can make anywhere from $2-$10 per dash, plus tips. While it’s not a way to get rich quickly, one of the biggest benefits of DoorDash is that you can do it on your own time, with no “set” hours to follow each week.
If you don’t think food delivery is right for you, consider becoming a driver for a ridesharing service, like Uber. The concepts are very similar, but instead of delivering food, you’ll provide a sort of taxi service to those who need it. These services are incredibly popular in college communities since not everyone has a vehicle. If your mode of transportation is reliable and you’re willing to go through a background check, ridesharing is another great way to make extra cash on your terms, and with your free time.
It never hurts to have extra money during college. Whether you’re trying to cover your basic expenses or you want to put some money away to pay off your student loans, these side hustles won’t take up too much of your time and can give you the income you need to get by. Plus, it doesn’t take much to get started with any of them, so you can start making the money you need as quickly as possible.
