22 Side Hustles for Students: Earn Extra Cash in Your Spare Time [2024]

Ever found yourself wondering how you can make some extra cash without sacrificing your study time? You’re not alone. Keep reading to uncover some of the best side hustles that are a perfect fit for students eager to balance their studies with earning potential.

College life is notoriously busy, and the expenses don’t pause just because you’ve got a midterm coming up. Luckily, there’s a world of side hustles tailored just for students like you, offering the flexibility to earn while you learn.

From the comfort of your dorm room to opportunities just a stone’s throw from campus, the right side hustle can not only pad your wallet but also enrich your college experience.

What Are Side Hustles?

Side hustles are jobs or gigs you take on in addition to your main employment or academic pursuits. They can range from occasional freelance work to a consistent part-time job. Side hustles are typically characterized by their flexibility, as they allow you to work on your own terms and often on your own schedule.

Side hustles come in various forms, and with the advent of the internet, the possibilities have expanded. Whether it’s online side hustles like content creation and digital marketing or more hands-on gigs such as tutoring and crafting, there are plenty of viable options available.

Benefits of Having a Side Hustle in College

For college students, side hustles offer a unique opportunity to earn money while working around a hectic class schedule.

These money-making ventures can be tailored to fit into the gaps between classes, during evenings, or over the weekend.

Additionally, they can be a source of income that doesn’t require long-term commitments, which is ideal for students who may have changing schedules from one semester to the next.

Imagine not having to rely solely on student loans or financial aid to get through college.

A side hustle puts you in control of your finances, allowing you to pay for your expenses and reduce the burden of debt.

Financial Independence means more than just covering your daily costs; it’s about gaining the freedom to make choices. Whether it’s buying textbooks, upgrading your laptop, or even saving for a post-graduation trip, having that extra income stream gives you the power to decide how you spend and save your money without constantly worrying about stretching every dollar.

The benefits of side hustles for college students extend beyond just financial gains. They can be a platform for you to:

• Build professional skills that complement your academic learning
• Network with professionals and peers in your field of interest
• Gain exposure to real-world work environments
• Enhance your resume with practical experience

Furthermore, side hustles can serve as a testing ground for entrepreneurial ventures. They can help you understand the market, learn business management, and potentially grow a small project into a full-time career post-graduation.

While the advantages are many, it’s crucial to pursue side hustles that align with your interests and career goals.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Side Hustle

Choosing the right side hustle as a student is key to not only earning income but also maintaining a healthy school/life balance.

There are several factors to consider that impact your decision.

Time Commitment

The first thing you need to consider is the amount of time you can realistically dedicate to a side hustle.

Understand your class schedule, assignments, and extracurricular activities to gauge your availability.

The key is to find a balance that allows you to commit without compromising your academic performance or personal well-being.

Some side hustles require a fixed number of hours per week, while others offer more flexibility, allowing you to work as your schedule permits.

Opt for a side hustle that aligns with your free time and energy levels to ensure you don’t overextend yourself.

Income Potential

Your financial goals play a significant role in choosing a side hustle.

Evaluate your needs realistically—do you require money for essential expenses or discretionary spending? Research potential income from different side hustles and compare them to your targets.

Consider timelines as well—tutoring offers immediate earnings, while blogging builds gradual income. Choose a side hustle that fits both short and long-term financial aims.

The right fit not only covers costs but allows you to save without overworking. With clear monetary and hourly requirements in mind, you can select a side hustle tailored to your budget that still leaves time for academics.

Defining these financial metrics beforehand brings you closer to achieving money management, savings, and work-life balance through your side hustle.

Skill Requirements

Assess your skills, interests, and passions to identify a side hustle that aligns with your strengths.

Capitalize on your expertise to boost your income; for example, proficient writers can venture into freelance writing or blogging, while tech-savvy individuals may excel in website and app testing.

Opt for a side hustle that not only provides financial benefits but also enhances your skills, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Online Side Hustles for College Students vs. In-Person

When you’re exploring side hustles to boost your income as a college student, you’ll find yourself at a crossroads between online gigs and in-person jobs.

Both avenues offer unique benefits and drawbacks, shaping your experience based on your lifestyle, preferences, and schedule.

Online side hustles grant you the flexibility that’s hard to beat. Imagine working from your dorm room or favorite coffee shop, choosing hours that align perfectly with your academic obligations.

Jobs like freelance writing, web development, or virtual tutoring don’t tie you to a fixed schedule. This means if you’re an early bird or a night owl, you can find work that fits into your rhythm, not against it.

But, the trade-off often involves marketing yourself and managing interactions on digital platforms where fees can eat into your earnings. For instance, freelancers on platforms like Fiverr might see 20% of their income go to service fees.

In contrast, in-person side hustles require you to be present in the physical world.

Driving for Uber, delivering orders, or pet sitting are options that pay well for your time and physical labor.

These roles can offer a sense of immediacy and connection to your community, providing cash in hand more directly than some online gigs. Yet, the challenge lies in aligning such jobs with a busy college schedule.

In-person hustles often demand a more structured time commitment, which might clash with your classes, study times, and much-needed leisure moments.

Both paths hold the potential for significant income and skill development. Your choice hinges on what you value most: the unparalleled flexibility of online work or the tangible, active engagement of in-person jobs.

Keep in mind that the best side hustle is one you can consistently maintain, seamlessly integrating into your lifestyle and enriching both your finances and skill set.

Best Online Side Hustles for Students

Each of these online side hustles provides an opportunity for college students to earn extra income on their own terms.

By choosing one that matches your skills and interests, you can make the most of your limited free time and even build skills that are valuable for your future career.

1. Survey Apps

If you’re looking for an easy way to make extra cash without a significant time commitment, survey apps are a great starting point.

• Overview: Earn cash or gift cards by completing short surveys
• Platforms: Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Survey Junkie
• Skills: No specific skills required
• Flexibility: Very high; complete surveys anytime, anywhere
• Get Started: Sign up for Survey Junkie

Popular platforms like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Survey Junkie allow you to earn money or gift cards by completing surveys from your laptop or smartphone.

You don’t need special skills, and you can start right away.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing offers a lucrative avenue for students with a knack for sales and marketing.

• Overview: Earn money by promoting products and receiving a commission on sales through your affiliate link
• Platforms: Amazon, ClickBank, CJ Affiliate
• Skills: Marketing, content creation, and knowledge of your niche
• Flexibility: High; work on your marketing campaigns at any time
• Get Started: Read our Affiliate Marketing for Beginners Guide

By joining affiliate programs like Amazon, ClickBank, or CJ Affiliate, you can earn commissions for promoting products or services through your blog, social media, or YouTube channel.

It’s all about choosing the right products to promote to your audience.

3. Freelancing

Leveraging your specific skills into freelancing gigs is one of the most flexible side hustles available.

• Overview: Offer your skills and services to clients on a project basis
• Platforms: Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr
• Skills: Depends on the service (writing, design, coding, etc.)
• Flexibility: High; choose projects that fit your schedule
• Get Started: Sign up for Fiverr

Whether it’s writing, graphic design, web development, or digital marketing, platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr connect you with clients in need of your expertise.

The key is to build a strong portfolio and client reviews to attract consistent work.

4. Website & App Testing

Many companies pay for feedback on their websites or apps before a full launch.

• Overview: Test websites and apps for usability and provide feedback
• Platforms: UserTesting, TestBirds, TryMyUI
• Skills: No specific technical skills required, but attention to detail is crucial
• Flexibility: High; tests are typically short and can be done according to your availability
• Get Started: Sign up for UserTesting

Signing up as a tester requires no special technical skills.

Your task is to navigate a website or app, noting any bugs or user experience issues.

Sites like UserTesting offer a straightforward way to earn money through short testing sessions.

5. Sell Items Online

With the rise of e-commerce platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon, selling items online has never been easier.

• Overview: Create or source products to sell on e-commerce platforms
• Platforms: eBay, Etsy, Amazon
• Skills: Marketing, sales, and sometimes crafting (if selling handmade items)
• Flexibility: Moderate; requires time to manage listings and ship products but can be scheduled flexibly

You can sell handmade goods, vintage finds, or even dropship products.

The trick is to identify a niche market, source or create products that meet a need, and optimize your product listings for visibility.

6. Sell Stock Photos

If photography is your passion, selling stock photos is a fantastic way to earn passive income.

• Overview: Earn passive income by selling your original photographs
• Platforms: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images
• Skills: Photography and understanding of stock photo market demands
• Flexibility: High; shoot and upload photos on your own schedule

Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images allow you to upload your high-quality photos and earn a commission each time someone purchases your work.

It requires a good eye for photography and an understanding of what types of images are in demand.

7. Blogging

Creating content that resonates with an audience can turn into a profitable venture through blogging or vlogging.

• Overview: Produce content around a topic of interest and monetize your audience
• Platforms: WordPress, Medium
• Skills: Writing, SEO, and social media marketing
• Flexibility: High; create and publish content on your schedule
• Get Started: Read our guide on How to Start a Blog

Platforms like WordPress for blogging or YouTube for video content offer avenues to monetize via advertising, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.

Success in this arena hinges on consistently producing engaging content and growing your follower base.

8. Become a Virtual Assistant (VA)

As a virtual assistant, you can offer administrative services to businesses from the comfort of your home.

• Overview: Perform administrative tasks remotely for businesses or entrepreneurs
• Platforms: Zirtual, Upwork
• Skills: Organization, communication, and proficiency in office software
• Flexibility: High; tasks can often be completed at any time of the day
• Get Started: Sign up for Upwork

This might include managing emails, scheduling appointments, or handling social media accounts.

It’s an excellent option for students who are organized and proficient in using office software.

Platforms like Zirtual can help you find clients needing virtual assistance.

In-Person Side Hustles for Students

In-person side hustles provide college students a way to earn, learn, and grow by leveraging personal interests and skills, offering practical experience and valuable life skills beyond the classroom.

9. Babysitting or Nannying

If you’re great with kids, babysitting or nannying is an excellent side hustle. You can earn up to $25 per hour, making it a lucrative option.

• Overview: Provide childcare services to families
• Location: Client’s home
• Requirements: Trustworthiness, experience with children, CPR certification is a plus
• Skills: Childcare, patience, communication
• Flexibility: Moderate; often depends on the client’s schedule but can choose assignments based on availability
• Get Started: Find a job on Care.com

Many parents look for responsible and caring students to look after their children.

Enhancing your credentials with CPR certification might help you stand out.

10. Rideshare Driving

With platforms like Lyft and Uber, you can make money by driving people to their destinations.

• Overview: Make money by driving people to their destinations
• Location: Varied based on pickup and drop-off locations
• Requirements: Must meet the age requirements and have a car
• Skills: Safe driving, navigation, customer service
• Flexibility: Very high; set your own schedule around classes
• Get Started: Sign up as an Uber driver

This side hustle fits perfectly around your class schedule.

You’ll need to meet the age requirements and have a car. Drivers can earn between $15 and $25 an hour, but remember to factor in expenses for gas and maintenance.

11. Delivering Food, Groceries, or Other Items

Delivering items is another flexible option for students.

• Overview: Deliver food, groceries, or packages to people’s doorsteps
• Location: Varied delivery locations within a specific area
• Requirements: Reliable transportation
• Skills: Navigation, time management
• Flexibility: High; choose your work hours
• Get Started: Sign up as a DoorDasher

Join a delivery service platform and choose when you want to work.

You’ll help people get their food, groceries, or other items right to their doorsteps.

Like driving, this hustle allows you to work as much or as little as your schedule permits.

12. Tutoring

If you excel in a particular subject, tutoring can be both fulfilling and profitable.

• Overview: Provide academic help in subjects you excel at
• Location: On-campus, client’s home, or public places
• Requirements: Proficiency in the tutored subject(s)
• Skills: Communication, expertise in the subject area, patience
• Flexibility: Moderate; schedules are often dependent on the client’s availability

Help fellow students or younger kids understand complex topics.

You can set your rates and hours, making tutoring a highly flexible side hustle option.

13. Pet Sitting

Pet sitting provides an easy way to earn money by taking care of people’s pets while they are traveling or away.

• Overview: Take care of pets while their owners are away
• Location: Owner’s home or your own
• Requirements: Love for animals, reliability
• Skills: Animal care, responsibility
• Flexibility: Moderate; depends on client needs and pet care schedules
• Get Started: Become a sitter on Rover

This job can be relaxing and enjoyable, especially if you’re an animal lover.

It offers great pay and the opportunity to spend time with furry friends.

14. Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping allows you to earn extra income by evaluating retail stores, restaurants, theaters and more in your area while posing as an everyday customer.

• Overview: Evaluate services as a covert customer
• Location: Retail stores, restaurants, and various service locations
• Requirements: Attention to detail
• Skills: Observation, reporting
• Flexibility: High; shops can be scheduled around personal availability
• Get Started: Apply to become a BestMark mystery shopper

If you like shopping, this can be an enjoyable way to make some extra cash.

Plus, it sometimes allows you to keep the purchased items.

15. Donate Plasma

Donating plasma can become a regular income stream because plasma collection centers compensate you around $25-50 each visit, depending on weight class bonuses and frequency milestones.

• Overview: Earn money by donating plasma used for medical treatments
• Location: Plasma donation centers
• Requirements: Meet health and safety criteria
• Skills: N/A
• Flexibility: Moderate; donations can be made multiple times a month following center guidelines

The plasma collected provides materials for valuable medical treatments and transfusions for those in need.

This option can be both a humanitarian act and a steady source of income.

16. Gardening and Lawn Maintenance

For those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, gardening and lawn maintenance services can be profitable.

• Overview: Offer lawn care and gardening services to homes and businesses
• Location: Client’s homes or business properties
• Requirements: Access to gardening tools and equipment
• Skills: Knowledge of lawn care and gardening techniques
• Flexibility: Moderate to high; work can be scheduled around other commitments

Offer your services in your neighborhood.

Building repeat relationships with clients has good earnings potential, making this an easy outdoor gig to undertake as a student.

17. Selling Class Notes

If you take high-quality class notes, you are holding on to valuable content that other students may want to purchase.

• Overview: Sell your study notes to classmates or online
• Location: On-campus or online platforms for note selling
• Requirements: Must take comprehensive and clear notes
• Skills: Note-taking, organization
• Flexibility: High; notes can be sold at any time during the semester

Sites like StudySoup handle class note uploads, payment processing and distribution electronically, often paying up to $500 per note set.

This is a simple way to turn something you create for classes anyway into cash while helping classmates in the process.

18. Thrift Flipping

Visiting second-hand and thrift stores to hunt for valuable items unnoticed by other buyers has moneymaking potential if you develop a good eye for spotting hidden resale gems.

• Overview: Purchase second-hand items and sell them at a profit
• Location: Thrift stores, garage sales, your online or physical shop
• Requirements: Sense for valuable finds and potential for upcycling
• Skills: Crafting, marketing, sales
• Flexibility: High; sourcing and selling can be done on your own schedule

Once purchased on the cheap, you can list these items on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace to flip them for a nice profit margin.

Pricing well and writing solid product descriptions are vital skills in maximizing your selling success rates when thrift flipping.

19. House Cleaning

Providing professional house cleaning services allows you to earn up to $50 per hour, especially as you build repeat clientele around class and activity schedules.

• Overview: Offer cleaning services to homes, apartments, and small offices
• Location: Client’s location
• Requirements: Cleaning supplies (if not provided by the client)
• Skills: Thoroughness, efficiency in cleaning
• Flexibility: Moderate; jobs are typically scheduled in advance

You dictate the flexible working hours, purchasing basic cleaning supplies yourself upfront.

Standard chore checklists to clean kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces, etc can be customized as well based on client preferences and needs in private residences.

20. Start Detailing Cars

Detailing other students’ or neighbors’ cars involves exterior washing and interior vacuuming to earn around $50 or more per vehicle.

• Overview: Provide detailed cleaning and finishing of automobiles
• Location: Your driveway, client’s location, or a designated detailing area
• Requirements: Auto detailing supplies and equipment
• Skills: Attention to detail, knowledge of cleaning products and techniques for vehicles
• Flexibility: Moderate; dependent on appointment scheduling

Investing in some basic car cleaning tools like vacuums, brushes, and microfiber cloths to start this gig is wise.

Taking the time to properly clean and care for vehicles inside and out allows you to set your own schedule while building a client base through quality work and word-of-mouth referrals.

21. Turn Your Car into a Moving Advertisement

Allowing your vehicle to be completely wrapped with car wrap business advertisements will lead to solid supplemental income.

• Overview: Advertise companies on your vehicle for payment
• Location: Depends on where you drive, making your car a dynamic advertisement platform
• Requirements: A car in good condition and a clean driving record
• Skills: N/A
• Flexibility: Very high; earn money as you go about your daily routine

Companies like Carvertise handle installation, de-installation, and ad partnerships so payments of $100-200 per month start flowing passively.

This complements student commuting lifestyles well since the vehicle is already driven regularly around campus and locally, gaining impressions.

22. Haul Junk

Offering junk hauling and large item removal represents another leveraging of personal vehicle ownership for cash earnings.

• Overview: Offer to remove and dispose of unwanted items for clients
• Location: Client’s homes, businesses, or properties
• Requirements: Access to a truck or trailer for hauling
• Skills: Organization, physical strength
• Flexibility: Moderate; hauls can be scheduled but may require availability for larger cleanout jobs

Listing such removal and hauling services on community boards or Craigslist allows you to set competitive rates for collecting unwanted items and junk from local households.

With low barriers to entry beyond owning a suitable vehicle, junk hauling dovetails well with the student lifestyle.

Balancing Your Side Hustle with Academics

Managing a side hustle alongside academic commitments can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can thrive in both areas.

Here are some tips on maintaining this balance.

Time Management Tips

Efficient time management is key to juggling your side hustle and academic workload. Here are a few strategies:

• Prioritize Tasks: Focus on what needs to be done first. Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of deadlines and important dates.
• Set a Schedule: Allocate specific hours for your side hustle and stick to them. This helps in creating a routine and avoiding last-minute rushes.
• Avoid Procrastination: Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to make them less daunting and to prevent putting them off.
• Use Downtime Wisely: Short breaks between classes can be used to reply to emails or update your side hustle plans.

Task	Time Allocation
Academic Work	70%
Side Hustle	20%
Personal Time	10%

Example of how to manage your time as a student with a side hustle

Setting Achievable Goals

Setting realistic goals for both your academics and side hustle will keep you motivated and focused. Here’s how you can set achievable goals:

• Smart Objectives: Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Short-term Milestones: Create weekly or monthly targets for your side hustle to keep track of progress.
• Assess and Adjust: Regularly review your goals and adjust them as needed based on your academic demands.

Knowing Your Limits

Understanding your limits is crucial to avoid burnout. Here’s how you can be mindful of your capabilities:

• Listen to Your Body: Recognize signs of stress or fatigue and take breaks when necessary.
• Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to excel in a few commitments than to spread yourself too thin.
• Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from peers or use academic resources if you’re struggling to keep up.

Remember to review these tips periodically and adjust them to what best suits your evolving schedule and goals.

Final Thoughts…

Embracing a side hustle as a student can be a game-changer, setting you up for financial independence and valuable real-world experience.

Remember, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between your studies and entrepreneurial activities.

Your journey side hustle starts now – make the most of it!