Whether you’re trying to pay off student loans, save up for a car or an apartment, or just want some extra spending money, starting a side hustle is a great way to make some extra cash.

But with classes and homework and socializing and all the other things college students have to juggle, it can be tough to know where to start. Never fear! We’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide on how to start a side hustle while still being a full-time student.

What’s a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is basically any gig that you do to earn money outside of your 9-5 (or in this case, your 9-5 during the semester and your 3-5 during summer break). And the best part is that there are tons of side hustles out there that are perfect for college students!

Figure out what you’re good at (and what you like doing).

This may take some trial and error, but it’s important to choose a side hustle that plays to your strengths and that you’ll actually enjoy doing.

There’s no point in starting a business that you’re not interested in or good at. For example, if you’re a whiz with numbers, why not offer your services as a part-time accountant or bookkeeper? If you’re a people person, how about working as a bartender or server?

Truth is, if you hate doing it, chances are you won’t stick with it for long.

And if it’s something you’re not good at, well, that’s just setting yourself up for failure. So take some time to think about what you’re good at and what you like doing. The sky’s the limit!

Once you’ve figured out what it is you want to do, it’s time to move on to step two and start thinking about the logistics.

To get your mind going, here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Offer tutoring services.
   Do you excel in a particular subject? Help other students out and earn some extra cash by offering tutoring services! You can advertise your services by putting up flyers around campus or by word-of-mouth.
   
   
2. Walk dogs.
   Love spending time with animals but can’t have one of your own? Offer dog-walking services in your campus’s vicinity! This is a great way to get some exercise while also earning some extra cash. You can advertise your services by putting up flyers or by spreading the word among your friends.
   
   
3. Sell handcrafted goods.
   Are you crafty? Put your talents to good use and sell your handcrafted goods online or at local markets! You can make anything from jewelry to paintings to soap. The sky’s the limit! You can advertise your products by setting up an online shop or by participating in local craft fairs.
   
   
4. Sell services on Fiverr
   Like drawing? Talented with website development or creating Instagram posts? Good at writing stories or courses? Then consider selling your services and talents online and get paid for doing what you’re already good at!

Looking for more ideas to make more money? Download the ‘Earn An Extra $500’ pdf to learn more!

Do your research.

Once you’ve got an idea of what you want to do, it’s time to do some research.

This step is especially important if you’re considering starting an online business. There are a lot of scams out there, so you need to be sure you’re not getting yourself into something that’s going to leave you broke and out of time. Check out reviews (use Google!), talk to people who have done similar things, and make sure you’re getting started on the right foot.

Make a plan.

Once you’ve done your research and you’re confident in your decision, it’s time to make a plan.

This doesn’t have to be anything too fancy or complicated; just sit down and map out what you need to do to get started and how much time you realistically have available to work on your side hustle each week.

Then create a schedule or timeline for yourself so that you can stay on track. And don’t forget to factor in some wiggle room for when life happens!

Get started!

The final step is probably the most important one: just get started!

It’s easy to overthink things and get bogged down in the details, but at the end of the day, the only way to achieve your goal is by taking action and putting in the work. So block off some time in your schedule, sit down, and get started on making your side hustle dreams a reality.

Final Thoughts

Starting a side hustle is a great way to make some extra money while still being a full-time student. By following these four steps—figure out what you’re good at (and what you like doing), do your research, make a plan, and get started—you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful college entrepreneur!