10 ways to make money as a student
Student loans don’t always make it to the end of term. That’s why students often supplement their income with a part-time job or crafty side hustle.
Add a boost to your bank account
If you’re struggling to make your uni budget balance, here are ten ideas for bolstering your income while you study.
Get a part-time job
It’s obvious, we know, but a part-time job is the most reliable way of supplementing your student loan. Bartending and barista-ing are classic jobs. The campus cafeteria or library might need help. Or you can always sign up for shifts in a local call centre.
Become a tutor
Think you’re smart? Tutoring could be the job for you. It’s more flexible than a bar job, and better paid too – tutors tend to charge around £30-£40 an hour, though that does include travel costs.
You might find work teaching struggling first years, but you’re more likely to find clients in coaching pupils through their GCSEs and A Levels. This Save the Student guide tells you how to go about it.
Sell your lecture notes
Want to profit from your studies without putting in the work of tutoring? Perhaps you should sell your notes online.
Upload to sites like Notesale and NexusNotes and struggling students can access your insights for a small fee. They get a leg up in their coursework, you generate a passive income.
Sell your stuff on ebay
You wouldn’t be the first student to find they’ve got more stuff than their room will fit. Solve your space problem and your money woes in one go by selling your excess possessions on ebay.
It’s also worth looking at Depop, Preloved and Music Magpie depending on what you’re selling. You might find it quicker, easier, and cheaper.
Open an etsy shop
If you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine or got a penchant for pottery – and access to a ceramics studio – you could start your own etsy shop.
This classic side hustle could even form the foundations for a viable business once you’ve graduated. Just make sure you don’t get so busy selling custom beanies you neglect your degree.
Freelance
If you’re a Photoshop prodigy or Final Cut pro you could start freelancing online. Job marketplaces put you in touch with clients looking for creative work on the cheap.
Gigs on Fiverr and Upwork are a great way to earn takeaway money while honing your skills, and building a portfolio that could lead to a career later on.
Become an influencer
Cultivate a blog, vlog or Instagram account in a decent niche and you might attract cash from brands eager to tap into your following.
It takes time to build an audience, and there are no guarantees – but if you spend your spare time on social media anyway, you might as well try to get paid for it. Just be aware it’s a high-risk approach.
Build a YouTube following
YouTube channels might take a bit more work than Instagram, but they’re a little more reliable in earning an income, as you can earn ad revenue from watches.
Hit it big and you could earn millions – in combination with subscriptions, merch, and sponsorship – although the vast majority of YouTubers earn less than minimum wage, so we wouldn’t bank on it.
Volunteer for science
Universities are crammed with scientists who need subjects for studies – and students who need cash. It’s a match made in heaven.
Volunteering as a lab rat is an unreliable source of low income, but it’s easy money that could plug a hole every now and then.
Combine a couple of these with careful budgeting and you’ll easily stretch that loan to the end of term. You might even have enough left to save!
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