When a student gets to college, one thing they realize is that there are more expenses than they were previously used to. Furthermore, many individuals take college as the opportunity to experience some independence. However, part of being independent means being able to take care of bills and other expenses.
In college, students have to encounter expenses such as:
- College books and school supplies
- Food
- Transport
- Personal expenses such as food, cosmetics, laundry, toiletries
- Housing
- Utilities, Electricity, water, gas, cable, internet
- Entertainment, for example, going to the movies, concerts, TV subscriptions, video games, etc.
Meeting some of these expenses might be difficult for some individuals. Hence, students have to find some additional sources of income to live comfortably in college. Learning the value of money is essential for any student, and managing your expenses is the best place to start. It sets you up for the future. So, we have highlighted some of the basic ways collegians can earn some extra cash while still in school.
Tutoring
For a student who is good at certain subjects, you can earn from tutoring. You can tutor some of your peers or sign up to be a tutor at the college. Enquire whether there are tutoring opportunities from your college department or even at other local institutions. Students can also sign up for tutoring on online sites, where they will get to set their terms.
Brand Ambassador
A lot of major corporations prioritize advertising and promote their brand by having ambassadors in college. Students can take advantage of this to earn some money since these companies are willing to pay cash for brand exposure.
So, you can find a brand that appeals to you and earn some cash or rewards while creating awareness of their product. However, you will only be better suited for this if you have a decent following on social media and a charismatic personality.
Temp Jobs
You can get a temp job by checking with the local agencies. Temp jobs can vary from administrative work to customer service. However, the temp job should be flexible such that you can juggle both the job and attend class to avoid missing any classes.
Proofreading and Editing Your Peers’ Essays
If you are a good essay writer, you can take the opportunity to assist some of your peers with their work. In this case, it means going through their essays or papers to correct errors and improve the work overall. You might end up helping a lot of students, especially ESL students who might struggle with language. Be sure to charge them fairly, and don’t work for free.
Part-Time Driving
For students with reliable cars, you can use yours to earn some extra cash. Driving jobs are common nowadays, and students can take the opportunity to make some cash during their free time. You work as an independent contractor for sites like Uber and Lyft. Here, you get to work according to your school schedule, thereby earning while maintaining high grades.
House Sitting
House sitting practically means staying in someone’s house while they are traveling. People pay responsible individuals to look after their homes when they’re away. It does involve specific responsibilities for the sitter from light works like collecting mail to looking after pets.
Part-Time Employment
Part-time employment means taking afterschool shifts at local businesses to earn that extra cash. For example, you can apply to become a barista at the college coffee shop, where you will still be on campus and get to meet new people. It also applies to work at fast food joints and other businesses with flexible hours.
Freelance Writing
For students who are good writers and prefer to work from their computers should consider freelance writing. Many online companies need copywriters for their sites and products. The hours are flexible, and you can do it from anywhere as long as you have a good network connection
. What better way to use your free time while earning money doing something you love and enjoy?
Final Thoughts
Earning some extra money in college can make your college experience better. You will have a little more to spend on your hobbies and passions and enhance your college experience. However, it would be best if you did not get distracted from your primary goal, which is studying.
Your means of making money in college should not interfere with your schoolwork. It would help if you had enough time for studies and still get enough rest. Some students tend to overwork themselves while working part-time, which has adverse effects on their health and school performance.