If you're like most college students, money is one of your top concerns. With tuition costs and living expenses rising every year, many students find themselves working long hours at part of even full time jobs. Unfortunately, too many hours at work can mean lower grades and a less fulfilling college experience.
What college students need are some creative, easy (and, of course, legal) ways to make some extra money. Here are some ideas to help you put a little more cash in your pockets.
House Sitting Services
House sitting is the perfect way for a student to make extra money – especially because you can easily do your homework while sitting in someone's home! You might be asked to water plants, take in the mail, or feed the cats, which are tasks that won't exactly wear you out. Talk to your professors and other "old" people on campus who have a home and let them know you are reliable and available. If you're available to house sit during times when people are away – like during winter break – you might find yourself a job.
Babysitting Services
Babysitting isn't just for thirteen year olds. In fact, many professors seek out dependable students who have experience with kids to watch their children. If you have some babysitting qualifications, let your professors know, and advertise your services on Craigslist, campus bulletin boards, and other free advertising outlets. And remember, kids go to bed – which means you'll have time to do your homework.
Typing and Proofreading Services
Are you good at putting together papers? Many of your fellow students are not, and some of them may be willing to spend money for you to help them. Students who speak English as a second language can especially benefit from someone giving their papers a solid proofreading. Just be careful not to cross the line. Typing and proofreading someone's paper is fine, but if you start doing major edits and doing someone else's homework, this constitutes academic dishonesty.
Tutoring
Are you terrific at math? Fluent in a foreign language? A whiz at economics? If you're really good at something that other students struggle with, advertise your services. Tutoring looks great on a resume or graduate school application.
House Cleaning Services
Are you a neat freak who doesn't mind scrubbing a bathroom? If so, the many people in your community who hate to clean may be willing to hire you. Yes, cleaning is hard work – but it also pays much better than most student part time jobs. Find out what the going rates are in your area, and then advertise your services. You may need to accept a lower rate until you build up a small client base.
Pet Care
Do you have experience with animals, especially dogs? If you know how to train a dog, plenty of people would be happy to pay you to help them out. They also might pay you to walk their dogs or care for their pets while they are away. If you live in a decent sized house or apartment that allows animals, you can make some easy money taking dogs in while their owners are on vacation.
Moving Services
Does everyone always ask you to help them move because you're strong enough to lift a couch? This is definitely a marketable skill, especially at the beginning and end of the school year. College communities are full of professors and other professionals who are moving in and out, and many would much rather pay a strong student to unload their van than an overpriced moving company.
Gift Wrapping Services
Do others envy your gifts because they're wrapped so beautifully? Make some extra money during the holiday season by wrapping the gifts of someone who doesn't have these skills. Although this is not the most lucrative job, it's a great way to earn some holiday money while doing something fun.
Use Your Skills to Make Money
Keep your eyes open for creative ways to make some spending money. You may have more marketable skills than you realize. Advertise your skills on Craigslist, campus bulletin boards, and by word of mouth, and you might be surprised how much extra cash you can generate.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
