College brings a rush of excitement and independence, but the time constraints of school limits most college students’ ability to work. That being said, there are many ways to earn a little extra money while still attending classes full time. In order to help you decide what side hustle best fits your lifestyle, let’s look at the pros and cons of 5 ways to make money on the side. 

1. Selling plasma: Much like donating blood, you can sell your plasma to hospitals and people in need through plasma centers. This is a relatively easy way to make money, as it is $30-$60 per session on average, although some centers pay up to $100 per session. That being said, if you go regularly, you could earn about $800  a month.  Additionally, donating plasma can be seen as a generous service since selling plasma helps people with conditions such as bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies, and genetic disorders. However, there are also some downsides to consider: donating plasma can be time-consuming, since the process typically takes around an hour to complete and the first donation requires some paperwork and a physical exam. It’s also important to consider your own health before going. For example, iron deficient people or people with low blood pressure should probably avoid donating, and many people may experience side effects such as fatigue or dehydration after donating. Finally, there is a limit to how often you can donate plasma, so it isn’t necessarily a dependable source of income.
2. Private tutoring: Private tutoring can be a good way for college students to earn extra money while studying relevant course material. If you are tutoring someone in a class you’re taking, it can be a terrific way to know the material like the back of your hand. Additionally, it can provide a flexible schedule that can work with a busy academic workload, unlike a full or part time job. However, the time commitment and responsibility of being a tutor can be significant and may impact your own studies. Additionally, finding clients and managing payments can be challenging, and competition among tutors can be high.
3. Selling old clothes: If you have a lot of clothing that you don’t wear anymore, this can be a great way to make extra money because you simply sell what you already have, do it on your own terms, and can stop whenever you want. Online platforms like Depop, Poshmark, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to reach a wider audience and potentially make more sales. In-person options like selling to friends or consignment stores can also be viable methods. However, selling clothes online can still be time-consuming, because it requires taking pictures, learning how to properly list items, and the expense of shipping. Additionally, many platforms take a percentage of the sale for themselves, which can eat into your profits. Consignment stores, such as Plato’s Closet or Uptown Cheapskate, may also only accept higher-end items, meaning that those with less expensive clothes may not make as much money. However, if your clothes are vintage or interesting thrifted pieces that might not be accepted by consignment stores, you could still successfully sell these items on Facebook Marketplace. 
4. Selling on Etsy: This platform provides a wide audience and allows for the sale of a variety of products, including digital downloads like PNGs, photo filter packs from Adobe Lightroom, and PDFs for coloring books or posters. These digital assets are perfect for college students because it is only necessary to create the product once, rather than printing and sending multiple units. And the consumer can purchase and immediately receive the product. This can be an easier option since it doesn’t require physical products and the associated shipping and storage costs. It’s also possible to sell digital prints of paintings or photography. However, creating physical crafts (ex. jewelry, wreaths, stuffed animals, etc) can be time-consuming and may not be the most efficient way to make money. Additionally, Etsy takes a percentage of sales, which can reduce profits.
5. Pet Sitting and dog walking: This is a fun way for animal-loving college students to make some extra money. Many websites, such as Rover, Wag, and Care.com, make it easy to connect with pet owners who need these services. Pet sitting and dog walking can be sincerely enjoyable, and they offer a lot of flexibility since students can typically work around their own schedules. Additionally, this is a good way to get some exercise and spend time with animals. However, pet sitting and dog walking also come with potential drawbacks, such as the responsibility of caring for someone else’s pet and the possibility of dealing with difficult and aggressive animals. Additionally, some pet sitting and dog walking opportunities may require students to have their own transportation.

Most college students struggle to make enough income to pay for an apartment, school supplies, food, and other necessities under the time restraints that come with being a fulltime student. But hope is not lost! There are loads of opportunities to make money outside of a traditional part-time or full-time job. After reading through this list of 5 side-hustle pros and cons, you can decide what is the best fit for you and make some extra money on the side.