When you imagined yourself going to college, you probably thought it would be filled with carefree days with exams and assignments being all you would need to worry about.
The reality might be a little different since college is expensive, and while your tuition and accommodation might be paid for, there are lots of other things you need to buy.
And that’s if you’re one of the lucky ones since many students still need to pay class fees and rent, let alone all the other things they need.
So, what as a college student, can you do to make ends meet?
Tutoring
If you’re fortunate enough to be scoring good grades in your studies, you can offer to tutor fellow students. A lot of students are not as lucky as you are, so make the most of your knowledge by sharing it with others.
Setting up a tutoring business allows you to work around your class schedule and work flexible hours. It’s best to start small and get one or two students, preferably first years who are struggling with the course material.
As demand grows, you can set up small groups for tutoring since you won’t have enough time to tutor one-on-one and manage your own study commitments.
Advertise on campus as well as online, and bear in mind that word of mouth and the results you achieve are the currency by which you sell your services.
Buying and selling textbooks
There’s a lot of money to be made in trading used textbooks. Most students can’t afford to buy new books and rely on second-hand textbooks, which cost a lot less. You can work through sites like booksrun, buying and selling textbooks online.
A lot of students buy up used textbooks from fellow students and then sell them at marked-up prices online or on campus.
As a middleman, you might need some extra space to store your stash of textbooks so that they don’t get damaged while you’re waiting to sell them. The more extensive your network of clients, the more textbooks you’ll be able to move. Some people get so good at it that they can turn textbook trading into a lucrative side hustle.
Pet-sitting or house-sitting
Many people who are going away for work or pleasure hire students to care for their homes and pets while they’re away. As long as you’re a responsible person, this is a convenient job that doesn’t require too much of your time.
It will depend on the nature of the service requested as some clients only want you to go to the house to check on it and feed their pets, while others want you to stay there overnight.
You can advertise your services independently, but you’re far more likely to get consistent work through websites that connect homeowners with pets with house-sitters. If you do your job well, you’ll get outstanding reviews, which will make you more attractive to potential clients.
Part-time jobs
Lots of businesses in student towns offer part-time jobs with schedules that fit around your class times. Find out if there are any in your area by looking at the bulletin boards and checking online forums and websites that advertise jobs.
If you have a busy schedule that doesn’t give you much time during the day, consider a night job such as food delivery or running errands. Some companies, like removals businesses, need extra help on weekends, which is when a lot of their clients move.
You can use your car to help you earn money by joining a rideshare service, which is a great option for busy students since you set your own working hours.