When you go to college, there is generally never enough money. It doesn't matter which institution you attend: whether you're enrolled in a public or private university, finding a way to make ends meet while simultaneously trying to keep up with your studies is a real challenge. Read on for some helpful tips to help you earn extra money without putting your college performance at risk.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Earning by Studying
Step 1. Apply for scholarships and other funding
Many students think they can only apply for funding at the beginning of the academic year. This is not always true. In some cases, opportunities are available to receive scholarships throughout the year, even if this depends on the university, and are not always advertised widely. You may also be able to apply for an external assignment, offered by an institution that has nothing to do with the university or organization that gave you the scholarship.
- Begin to inform yourself by reading the latest news from organizations such as Informagiovani and paying attention to the e-mails you receive.
- You can also do an online search to find funding opportunities. Find out if your university offers an app to receive all the necessary information and customize your search; if so, download it.
Step 2. Offer services as a tutor
One of the best ways to learn a subject is to teach it. By becoming a tutor, you can optimize the knowledge you have in your field of study, offer a useful service to others and earn money, which would be your main goal: it is a solution that allows everyone involved to gain an advantage.
- If it is possible to get paid at your university, offer tutoring to other students regarding those subjects you have successfully completed. Alternatively, you can advertise what you do to your colleagues.
- To find mentoring opportunities, make an appointment with your supervisor or professors, or visit the university's student center.
Step 3. Get paid to take notes
For your own benefit, you obviously need to take accurate and complete notes in class. Why not get double income from your efforts?
- It is quite common for (sometimes anonymous) tutors to be assigned to students who have special needs due to learning disabilities. These tutors take notes for them during the lessons.
- These jobs usually get paid; the salary depends on the specific call to which you participate. You will need to carefully take notes, write them down on your computer and email them or give them to the right person. At that point, they will be passed on to students who need them.
Step 4. Keep an eye out for emails offering students to sell their notes
Once the needs of disabled students are documented, the manager contacts the professors and requests volunteers to take notes in class. The teacher will in turn send an e-mail to the students. In other cases, a call for applications is opened and you have to apply by providing the required documents.
Step 5. Advertise your services yourself
You can also contact the disabled student services managers directly. Ask if they need someone to take notes on your lectures or if you can advertise your services to colleagues on your own.
If you advertise yourself, make sure you are not violating the tuition or university regulations
Step 6. Correct your colleagues' term papers
If you are an excellent writer and have excellent writing skills, you can improve your skills and, at the same time, get paid by offering to proofread your peers' essays at a reasonable price.
Spread the word to your friends and roommates, and you could even post flyers to advertise your services
Step 7. Try to do this job well
If you have the ability to correct other people's texts, be aware of how you make comments or suggestions for revision. You should be very familiar with the university's rules and regulations regarding plagiarism.
- Also check the policies of a certain professor regarding the sharing of personal works. Some teachers assign essays to write at home and whose evaluation is necessary for the final grade; as a result, they prohibit students from exchanging views during the writing process.
- If instead of correcting someone else's essay you rewrite it, both of you could be accused of not respecting the rules set by the university, and you could face serious consequences, including expulsion.
Step 8. If you are particularly good at typing on the computer and have good computer skills, take advantage of it
If you can type fast and accurately, are good at creating interesting presentations with sophisticated graphics, or excel at creating tables and graphs to represent data, you may be able to get paid to teach and help other students with their homework. At the same time, you manage to optimize your skills.
Step 9. Visit the orientation center
Several universities have an orientation center that offers advice to students about the possibilities on the job market. It also helps them prepare to apply and participate in interviews when graduation is nearing completion. However, don't think you can only use this resource in your last year of college.
- You can often find ads on paid internships and part time jobs in your field of study within this office.
- Identifying these opportunities as soon as you enter your studies will not only help you excel in your industry and enrich your resume, you can also earn money while you study, and this is important.
Step 10. Enter academic competitions
You can find ads for writing competitions and other academic competitions quite regularly (such as science or engineering competitions). They offer cash prizes to the winners.
- Always be aware of these opportunities by paying attention to university bulletin boards (start by looking in academic departments and the library), reading carefully the e-mails received, contacting your supervisor and / or professors directly to find out if they are aware of competitions that might be right for you.
- While not winning, you will gain experience in your field, make connections, and enrich your portfolio or resume.
Method 2 of 5: Finding Other Ways to Earn Money in University
Step 1. Apply for vacancies from the university itself
Generally, you can only do this once in your academic career, so if you haven't tried it yet, give it a try. Make an appointment with the internship office of your faculty to find out the necessary requirements and apply (or repeat it, if the university provides this option).
Various occupations are made available, not only at the university, but also at the institutions with which it has an agreement. You could therefore work at the body that provides scholarships, perform administrative work in academic departments or organize external events of the faculty, such as concerts or film screenings, to which you yourself will have free access
Step 2. In addition to university, you can inquire about these jobs at the regional scholarship organization
Part-time opportunity programs are often devised for students with financial needs so that they can earn income.
Generally, the positions available are relevant to your field of study and have to do with the institution itself or with the university
Step 3. Try becoming an assistant at a university residence
If you live in college accommodation, are an active participant in college and on the faculty, have a good academic record, and enjoy working with others as well as helping them, then becoming a dorm assistant could be a great opportunity for you.
It is not easy to be able to fill such a position, but if you can, take advantage of it. In any case, if you have a full scholarship and live in a university residence, you can take advantage of the food service for free, so all the other scholarship money you can use at your convenience, without any additional expenses
Step 4. Become a "guinea pig"
Read the classifieds posted on your university's bulletin boards to find out if anyone is looking for volunteers for psychological studies or medical experiments.
Usually, the payment is fixed, but in some cases there may be an hourly rate to do something simple (and maybe interesting!), Like completing questionnaires
Step 5. Verify that the experiment is safe
Before agreeing and participating, make sure the experiment has been approved by the relevant authorities and the university. This guarantees you respect for your rights and the protection of your physical and mental well-being.
Step 6. Look for experimental studies outside the university
If you can't find opportunities to participate in an experiment at the university, search the internet or ask around to find legal opportunities in the area. You can also visit the websites of the hospitals in your city to find out if they are looking for participants.
Step 7. Sell your textbooks at the end of the academic year
One of the biggest expenses is generally due to the purchase of books. Usually, you can recover a nice nest egg at the end of the year by reselling them.
- Bookstores sometimes buy used books, but you can also sell directly over the internet or by posting an ad on the bulletin board. Plus, you can browse the area's second-hand book stores to see if they're willing to buy your books.
- To improve your chances of selling a book (or earning a good amount from the sale), look after it throughout the semester, and avoid marking the pages with notes and markers.
Step 8. Become an organization guru
It's hard to do well in college (or do any other job!) If you're not tidy and it's all confused and disorganized. Spend time developing organizational skills and then advertise your services to colleagues, perhaps even professors.
Offer to help clients order their documents (whether paper or electronic), but also to create a method for arranging and organizing work that they can handle on their own
Step 9. Offer to clean and do the laundry
College students are usually not known for having impeccable rooms or doing laundry regularly. If you don't mind doing these chores, and you can handle the clutter and bad smells, you might get paid to clean rooms or wash lazy students' clothes.
Step 10. Open a beauty salon in your room, or work from home
If you're good at manicuring, styling your hair, or doing make-up, you may want to advertise your services to coworkers, especially before big events like parties or Valentine's Day.
Do a research on the expected rates of salons in the area and then beat them on the price to the point of earning a profit anyway. You should offer a service that your colleagues can afford
Step 11. Open a snack shop
It's no secret that college students have sudden cravings at unlikely times! If you are good at preparing different dishes (or even just finding good offers to buy ready-made products), take advantage of the perpetual peckish of your colleagues.
- Run flyers with photos depicting the dishes that work best for you; make sure they are inviting. Alternatively, go to the library or other study hot spots in the weeks when waivers or exams have been set.
- Are you an "owl"? Then make sure you offer the product to students who stay up late on a Friday or Saturday (or even Thursday when there are so many parties) and go in search of a tasty snack. If you decide to sell to night lovers, though, partnering with a partner is a smart and safe move.
Step 12. If you live in the student house, set up a recycling center on the floor where your room is located
If you have a special center near you or an automatic collection point where you can make money by recycling bottles, it is possible to pocket money thanks to this activity.
- You could make a small investment: buy a large plastic garbage can, line it with a sturdy garbage bag, and write Throw empty bottles and cans here. Arrange it outside your room, then all you have to do is sort out the bottles and cans before taking them to the right center or automatic collection point.
- Make sure you are not violating the student house rules by doing so. As long as it is allowed, you may also be able to look for bottles and cans in the other recycling bins present.
Method 3 of 5: Finding a Job Outside the University
Step 1. Look for a job that allows you to earn tips
As a college student, having access to easy cash is extremely beneficial. Look for part-time employment opportunities that allow you to leave with money in hand at the end of the shift.
Serving in restaurants, being a bartender, working as a valet in a hotel or restaurant, delivering food (which usually involves having your own car and insurance) or performing on the street are good options
Step 2. Look for a part time job in a shop in your city
Get on the road to find outlets looking for shop assistants in the area. You may be able to find part-time employment that fits in with class schedules.
- You should check job postings regularly for vacancies, but remember that not all stores use this search method. You may be luckier by doing in-person research on possible positions available.
- Prepare a copy of your resume and try to look presentable when you first walk into a store. Don't drop by on your way home from the gym! The first impression will not be good!
Step 3. Visit a temporary employment agency
The job search process can be simplified by contacting an agency of this type. This body can analyze all job postings for you, not to mention that it already has stable relationships with local businesses.
- The agency collects a percentage of your earnings, but temporary jobs often get paid pretty well, and you can be clear about your hourly availability.
- Working with the support of an agency offers another advantage: you have the option of turning down a job if you are particularly busy at university for a certain week or month.
Step 4. Work as a babysitter or nanny for families in your city
If you are responsible and know how to deal with children, you can often find stable employment as a babysitter or nanny.
Do a research on the rates provided in the area. As a college student, you may be able to claim higher compensation, especially if you are enrolled in a faculty such as education science (but also psychology, medicine, or nursing) and have a certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and / or emergency room. In some cities, you could earn up to 15 euros per hour
Step 5. You could sign up for a professional babysitting agency
These agencies select and monitor the criminal background of babysitters. Many parents feel safer to place their children in the hands of people who have successfully passed this screening.
Step 6. Advertise your babysitting service using university bulletin boards
You may also want to consider offering the services to professors. If it's your teachers, at least for now, maybe hiring you makes them uncomfortable (or they don't have permission to do so), but they might recommend you to their other friends and colleagues.
Step 7. Negotiate additional tasks to earn more
If you've already found a job as a babysitter with a family, you may be able to pocket some extra money by going beyond your usual schedule.
For example, in addition to the money you earn as a babysitter, you can offer to do laundry and do the dishes for a regular pay increase (maybe $ 10 or more)
Step 8. Work with the children in other ways
If babysitting isn't your forte, you may find satisfying and paying employment as a tutor or tutoring elementary or high school students.
- Contact the schools in your area to find out if they have any children who could benefit from your services. Or ask if they are looking for a part time tutor.
- You may also be able to find these types of jobs by contacting local children's organizations.
Step 9. Work with animals
If you get along better with animals than people, you may be able to find a job that connects you with four-legged friends. This will be good for both your mental and financial health.
- Advertise your services as a dog sitter or petsitter. You can post flyers (local parks and vets are useful starting points) or promote yourself online, but don't overlook the importance of networking with people you know.
- You may also want to consider starting a dropping project. Nobody likes to collect Fido's feces, but, armed with the proper gloves and tools, it's a fairly simple use. Plus, you'll never miss work!
Step 10. Try a job that requires you to work outdoors
If you are young and strong and enjoy being outdoors, then starting a business that offers services such as lawn mowing or garden design might be the right path for you.
- Learn to modify services according to the changing of the seasons. In the warmer months, you need to have access to a lawn mower and a weeding tool. Once the cold arrives, switch to warm clothes and a shovel.
- If it snows a lot in the place where you live, buying a manual snow blower could be a worthwhile investment. Do you usually get up early? You may be able to make some money by offering to clear the ice from cars in the morning before people go to work. You may find several clients in the neighborhood you live in or in a single apartment complex.
Step 11. Use the machine to your advantage
If you own a car, are insured and have all the points on your license, then there are several ways you can take advantage of the vehicle.
- You may be able to find work to do different kinds of home deliveries, accompany other students (to the airport, run errands, or go on appointments in out-of-the-way places), or even be able to open your own delivery service. For example, you can get paid to do the shopping instead of those people forced to stay at home; in the meantime, take the opportunity to also buy what you need.
- If you have a van, you probably already know that you are quite wanted (or rather, your vehicle is), especially for student transfers. Offer your services for this purpose, in exchange for a payment, of course!
Step 12. Take care of other people's homes
Do you know someone who is planning a long vacation? Did one of your professors say he took a gap year to travel around the world? If so, you may be the perfect candidate to keep an eye on the house.
This work is particularly beneficial. Usually, you are not asked to do much: you will need to keep an eye on the house, collect the mail, water the plants, do garden work (if necessary) and perhaps take care of the pets. As if that weren't enough, for a few days or even several weeks, you will be able to live in a house that is probably much nicer than your rented room
Step 13. Network to find housesitting opportunities
Inform relatives, friends and professors of your willingness to offer this service. Generally, it is best to try to find a friend of a friend (such as a co-worker, a friend's boss or parent, etc.).
Your closest friends or family might expect free help, and would feel insulted if you ask for a payment
Step 14. If you live in a country where it can be done, sell blood and / or plasma
Why not offer a useful service to others and get paid at the same time? Depending on the donation you make, you can usually earn 15-40 euros.
- Before you are able to donate, however, you have to meet certain requirements to be chosen, and there are limits on how often you can do so.
- Before making such a commitment, read the guidelines of the designated authority in the country you are in, or ask the hospital or clinic where you will be doing it.
Method 4 of 5: Working from Home
Step 1. Sell your lightly used clothes to thrift stores
Carefully scan your closet. How many items of clothing do you wear regularly? How many of these still fit you? How many of these are still in fashion? There is a good chance you have a nice nest egg hanging in your wardrobe.
Take out any items that are still in good condition, make sure they are clean and ironed, and then take them to a second-hand shop in your city. You should be able to walk away with some cash in hand. Just try not to spend everything you've earned on buying new clothes while you're there, unless, of course, that's why you needed the money in the first place
Step 2. Sell your stuff online
If there isn't a good thrift store near you (or you think you can make more money by selling the items yourself), you may want to consider offering things you don't want or need on the web anymore. Craigslist and eBay are two popular sites to try.
- You may offer clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, sports equipment and / or electronic devices. Provided they are in good condition, it is generally possible to find a buyer for almost any item.
- You must take high-resolution photos of the objects, and make sure you offer a clear and complete description of them. If you have warranty information, manuals or brochures accompanying the item, you may have better luck making a sale.
Step 3. Organize a private sale in the garden (or in the driveway, or in the garage)
Many areas are active with regards to these sales, and it takes a minimum of effort to be able to find people looking for good deals.
- Post flyers in the neighborhood, and remember to place an ad in your city's newspaper if it posts such ads.
- Be willing to pull the price with the buyers, and don't have too high expectations when setting prices. At best, you may only be able to pocket 25% of the item's original price.
Step 4. Write online
If you're good at this job, you should be able to find plenty of opportunities to write (or proofread other people's texts) online.
Look for freelance jobs or jobs that involve site editing. The rates for these jobs vary: they may be paid per word, offer a one-off payment for a project, or, in some cases, have an hourly rate. However, you will usually not have the ability to copyright your work or make money from other rights. Again, by working as a freelancer, you can build a portfolio and establish valuable contacts that could be useful later, with more stable professional offers
Step 5. Start your own blog or website
If you want the work to belong completely to you, and you want the freedom to write on any topic you are interested in, you can consider creating your own webpage or blog. By getting enough followers, you can start earning money from advertising.
You will only earn a few cents from clicks on the ads on the page, but if you have enough followers, this sum can become substantial over time
Step 6. Open a YouTube channel
If you prefer audiovisual media and are good at creating videos with entertaining or informative content, you may also be able to earn money by opening a YouTube channel with advertising.
Read this article to find out more
Step 7. Turn your hobbies into a business
Do you love doing DIY projects? Are you able to knit, crochet, wood or make handcrafted jewelry? If so, you could build a good customer base by opening a shop on sites like eBay or Etsy.
You need a PayPal account, a good camera to take quality photos of your work, and a way to organize orders
Step 8. Run paid administrative jobs
If you have basic computer skills and don't mind doing repetitive tasks, you may be able to find a job by filling envelopes, entering data, or working as a home phone salesman.
These jobs can usually be done in your spare time and require minimal training from the company hiring you
Step 9. Make the most of your time online
If you already spend too much time browsing or shopping on the internet, you may be able to find a way to turn this (sometimes wasteful) pastime into a profitable opportunity. There are several companies that offer small amounts of money to those who take surveys (like iPoll.com), download apps, or listen to music.
The money you make will probably only pay for a coffee at the machine. In fact, you will be paid a few cents or euros per job. However, over time they can build up, and will certainly make you feel less guilty when you indulge in the occasional cappuccino at the bar
Step 10. Create an app
Potentially, it is possible to make a lot of money from the mobile application business. If you have a good idea for an innovative app that can give people a fun time, help them organize their lives, or learn in new creative ways, this initiative is potentially lucrative.
There are a number of tutorials that will offer you useful tips, and you can even create an app if you are new to programming. Search the internet to find out more
Method 5 of 5: Earning While Saving
Step 1. Rent a room
If they have rented you a house or you have one, you can save a lot of money by sharing rent and utility bills. Just find a roommate.
Select candidates carefully. It's a good idea to start looking for a roommate by talking to friends and colleagues. Make sure you have an agreement between you and the other tenant by defining how to manage the bills; read the current contract carefully to find out if you can sublet a room to someone, do not violate it
Step 2. Save money on books
Books are a huge expense for any college student, but it's not a good idea to give up and not buy them at all. However, there are several ways to potentially save hundreds of euros on textbook costs over the course of the academic year.
Once the course schedules are available and you are sure which books to buy, start your research by checking the prices at the bookstore, and then look elsewhere for better deals
Step 3. Look for used books
Generally, you can find cheaper books (both new and used) online or by going to specialized bookstores, which often buy books from students at the end of the year.
Since professors often use the same textbooks from year to year, you may be able to find much cheaper versions of a book. You could also borrow them from the university or city library
Step 4. Find out if you can use an older edition
If the professor has assigned a new edition of a text, you may still be able to buy one that is older (and cheaper) than the book. Publishers often make very few changes from edition to edition, and the only thing that might vary is the number of pages or the occasional addition of a new chapter.
Check with the professor to confirm the usefulness of an older edition, so you can be sure it fits before you buy it
Step 5. Rent or share textbooks
You may also be able to rent manuals for a rather low cost, or split the price of an expensive book with a colleague or roommate who is taking the same course.
If you do this, be sure to set a schedule for using the book so both of you can use it when you need it
Step 6. Carry only cash
You may be able to spend less by just paying for what you buy in cash only. Put away your credit and debit cards, or stow them in a hidden compartment of your wallet to take them out only in an emergency.
- If possible, when you collect your salary or withdraw money, take only the amount you need for a month. This way, you can avoid making more than one trip to the ATM. In fact, the costs of the withdrawal add up from time to time, and this is bad for your finances.
- However, when you go out, avoid carrying all your cash with you. Take only the amount you think you might need.
Step 7. Save on food
If you can use the restaurant service for free, take advantage of it. Instead, if you have to pay at least part of the meals, select the cheapest combination of dishes (carefully calculate the times you want or can go to eat at the canteen to know if it's worth it).
- If your plan is profitable, make the most of it. Don't skip meals, so you'll avoid having to shop at the supermarket. If allowed, take fruit or leftovers home so that you have snacks available throughout the day.
- Also, be aware of all events that offer free food.
- If you work in a restaurant or catering service, you may be able to get some free food to take home.
Step 8. Plan what you will do for the refrigerator at home
If you can't get free canteen service and meals are too expensive, you may be able to save more money by shopping on your own.
Shop at a discount store, or buy in bulk at the right stores. While the expenses are higher when you buy in bulk, the long-term benefit can be quite substantial. You can also get around the problem of shopping by sharing it with a friend or roommate. Among other things, since you can divide the weight of the bags between you, you can make more purchases and avoid returning often to the supermarket
Step 9. Save on clothes
Sure, you want to look good, but you don't have to spend a fortune to be the latest fashion. Consider simplifying your wardrobe. Create a solid base made up of classics that you can mix and match easily.
Buy only second-hand clothes, or make a commitment to only buy clothing on sale. You can also swap clothing with your friends to renovate the closet
Step 10. Trade services with your friends
Do you spend more each month than you would like at the hairdresser or manicure? Do you have a friend who can't resist sweets from the pastry shop or who has a personal trainer? Think about what you and your friends spend money on, and then see if there is any way you can trade and exchange services between you in order to save.
For example, in exchange for a hairstyle before an important date, you can offer to deliver food fresh from the oven to a friend of yours who knows how to do it with her hair
Step 11. Reduce your transportation costs
The expenses associated with commuting to college and back (or getting around the city to run errands) can be quite high. In an effort to save money on gasoline, insurance and parking, try to use public transport as much as possible.
The university could offer students discounted bus passes, or you could organize a carpooling service with other students to go to class or run errands
Step 12. Eliminate the luxuries
You may think you can't live without satellite television or breakfast at the café, but be honest with yourself. Probably what you need is caffeine alone, not a two-euro cappuccino.
- Prepare coffee at home, consider the option of canceling your satellite television subscription and switch to free or cheaper offers (on the internet you will find many possibilities), avoid constantly changing your electronic gadgets to always have the newest ones and beautiful.
- By eliminating the luxuries, you will obviously save more money, but you will also be able to appreciate and enjoy these purchases once you can actually afford them.
Step 13. Take advantage of student discounts
Before you go to a restaurant or museum in your city, do a quick search to find out if reduced prices are offered to students. This way, you can often get into several places for free or get good deals by presenting your university booklet.
Step 14. Look for free entertainment
How much money do you currently spend to go to the movies, bars or clubs? While it is important to have an active social life and to be able to count on relaxing moments when you are not bent over books, you don't have to spend too much money (better to avoid doing it directly!) To have fun in book time.
Read carefully the flyers and posters posted around the university - they often promote free, fun and / or interesting activities and lectures. You may be able to attend plays and concerts in places affiliated with the university, attend lectures by leading thinkers, go to faculty-sponsored parties open only to students with university books
Step 15. You may join one or more clubs in your city
In addition to being able to meet new and interesting people, some clubs regularly organize activities (such as movie nights) or even discounted trips during university periods.
These clubs are generally founded partially (sometimes completely) thanks to donations or initiatives to raise funds
Warnings
- University engagement must be a priority. Often, the purpose of studying is to get a degree that allows you to find a good job, so don't get distracted by other activities.
- Don't say you have a skill you don't actually have. Never lie on a resume.
- Always make legal choices. Don't put your future at risk by letting yourself be fascinated by quick and easy earnings, even if you think you can do it better than Walter White!
- If something sounds too good to be true, be wary.
