Finding a Side Hustle at University
Thanks to the digital economy and opportunities to make additional, supplemental income without having to clock into a formal work environment everyday, the idea of the university side hustle has begun to take off. That is not to say that it is a novel concept. Students have been trying to find new ways to make quick money while studying for a long time. But today’s digital and sharing economy makes it all the more possible to do so. Below are some of the best side hustles for university students looking to make some extra money while they study.
What’s a side hustle?
A side hustle is what you do on the side of your main job, or occupation. You don’t have to be a student to have a side hustle (plenty of working people who are not studying have something they do in addition to their formal employment), but there are many students with them. They are also generally something that you do on your own time. The point of a side hustle is to combine convenience and autonomy with an ability to make some extra money. It is not to replace an existing full-time job – though it might replace a part time one.
Freelance writing
If you are good with words and know that you can come up with and write about ideas quickly, then there are near limitless possibilities out there when it comes to freelance writing. One of the most helpful and comprehensive guides to freelance writing gigs is the famous “Writer’s Market” series, the gold standard with it comes to compiling and curating lists of freelance writing jobs to suit the niche and abilities of any freelance writer.
Freelance writing is a great university side hustle for two main reasons: you can do it from pretty much anywhere, and it helps make you a better writer. The more you write (and read) the better a writer you become. The better a writer you become, the more enjoyable it is for other people to read what you write (including your professors), and the more likely they are to be impressed/mark your work charitably when you turn in assignments. What better way to earn some extra money while studying and at the same time, developing communication skills that will serve you well throughout your academic career, and the rest of your life.
Uber
This really only applies to students who have their own vehicle, and if you do, why not consider spending your free time driving for Uber. Keep in mind that Uber is not a sure shot, and that people have actually lost money driving for Uber. But if you are willing to operate as an independent contractor, have a reliable vehicle, and would like to earn some extra money, Uber is the go-to for many university students.
Think about it: would you rather be bussing tables on a Friday night, or driving around in your own car, on your own time, listening to your own music, and dictating when and how much you work. If you work peak hours, for instance, you can make decent money on weekend nights (especially in a University town, or a larger city) driving people to and from the entertainment district, concerts, parties, etc.
Food delivery
If you are unaware of what DoorDash is, or how it works, it is a straightforward food delivery service where you pick up food from restaurants and deliver it to customers. DoorDash is affiliated with thousands of restaurants, and it hires people as independent contractors to pick up food and deliver it to their customers. You, the worker, get paid in tips and through a delivery fee. DoorDash claims that you will earn anywhere from $15-$25 per hour working for them, and most drivers who talk about their job on YouTube contend that they make around $7-10/order.
That might not seem like much, but if you are only taking large orders, avoid high traffic areas (or deliver on bike) so that you aren’t held up by traffic and make a large number of deliveries in one night, use multiple apps, and drive during peak hours, you can make DoorDash a sustainable university side hustle. If you find that you need some extra time to make your side hustle work, and would like some help completing coursework, a custom essay service is a good contact to have.
Teach English online
Another university side hustle that can be easily worked into your schedule is one of the many digital English tutoring services. These work by providing people around the world who are working on improving their English by conversing with native speakers via video call. Most of these services let you, the teacher, decide when and how much you work, and will connect you with people who have paid to talk to native English speakers.
This is another side hustle that you can operate from your room, from a cafe, from a park bench – really from anywhere with a stable internet connection where you are allowed to talk freely. All that is required is for you to have webcam and microphone capabilities, as well as patience. This is not something that is going to pay phenomenally well (as is the case with most side hustles), but it lets you make some extra money on your own terms, and when it fits into your schedule.
Diversifying your income streams is an important part of financial success no matter what stage in life you are at. The more avenues for earning money you explore, the more likely it is that a) one of those will take off and b) you never have all your eggs in one basket. If you are thinking about a university side hustle, consider the above, and for those days and nights when you just can’t find the time to get to your coursework, get in touch with Homework Help Global’s professional essay writing services.
References:
(2018). “DoorDash Review: A Decent Way to Earn Extra Income.” The College Investor. Retrieved from: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/20374/doordash-review/
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