September 8, 2020
It doesn’t have to be hard to balance work and full-time college studies. Try out some of these creative and proven ways to make some money on the side; it might be easier than you think.
Doing work-study can help you pay off your loans before they start requiring payment. Universities and colleges often have on-campus positions for students. Most positions work with your class schedule, so you don’t have to worry about any crossover. From working in the library to being campus security, your only limits are the options at your school. Depending on how large your campus is, you may even find a job within the field you are studying. This can be a benefit to your wallet and your future resumé. Work-study can also save you time and transportation costs. No more getting stuck in traffic when you are rushing to class.
With delivery apps like GrubHub, UberEats, DoorDash, and more, you can be a delivery driver on your own schedule. You only have to pick up the orders you want during the times that you choose to spend working. As long as you dedicate enough time to put in a few hours every week you should make ends meet. If you have a test coming up, no problem! Work a few less hours this week and make up for it the next week.
Similar to delivering food, you can bring people to their destinations! Joining Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing services can give you the flexibility to choose your hours. You only have to work when you need the money and you can take a break when you need extra time to study on a test. If you love meeting new people and driving around town, you’ll probably love being a driver.
Have a nice camera and passion for photography or videography? Start selling your images and videos online! Platforms like Shutterstock, iStockphotos, Adobe Stock, and Alamy are all great places to check out. Some companies are more selective than others when it comes to what you can upload. Make sure to do your research on pricing and the types of photos and audiences they work with. Once you upload you could keep making money on a photo as long as people keep purchasing it! It’s a great passive income and the longer you do it, the greater your earnings will be.
Lots of local businesses don’t know how to promote themselves on social media. Put your knowledge of Instagram to work and help advertise your favorite coffee shop. You could get even more efficient and plan their posts ahead of time and schedule them weeks before. Interested? Learn more details on how to get started here.
For about an hour a week you could make an extra $300-$500 a month. Donating plasma might seem strange at first, but the benefits can add up. Donating plasma frees up more time for studying but could help you earn enough to replace a part-time job. Start a Google search to see if there are any places to donate near you. You can also see if you qualify to donate at DonatingPlasma.org.
There are hundreds of more ways to earn money as a college student. With a little creativity, you could monetize almost anything. From selling photos, donating plasma, or managing social media, you have plenty of options to balance your studies and work life.