Many people search for side hustles
extra money and ask about side hustles, but today, I’ll explain and share some of the best ideas for you.
7 Practical Ways Students Can Make Money While Studying
Balancing studies and finances can be tough, especially for students managing tuition, living expenses, and daily costs. If you’re looking for realistic ways to earn extra income without compromising your education, you’re in the right place!Studies show that 23% of bachelor’s degrees have a negative return on investment, and 41% of graduates work in jobs that don’t require a degree. That’s why it’s essential to start building multiple income streams early.
Most millionaires have at least three income sources, so let’s explore seven money-making ideas that you can start right now with little to no investment.
1. Earn with TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop is booming, making it a perfect opportunity for students. With zero startup costs and just a phone and a ring light, you can start selling trending products.
How Much Can You Make?
• Beauty and personal care products sell the most.
• Earnings range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.
• A viral product can make you a lot more!
How Much Time Does It Take?
• For serious income: 3 hours a night.
• For small extra cash: 1 hour a day.
If you're short on time, TikTok’s affiliate program allows smaller influencers to promote your products, so you make money without actively selling.
How to Start: Download the TikTok Seller Center app, upload product details, and submit them for approval.
2. Get Paid for Focus Groups
Companies pay students to give their opinions in focus groups, making this a great side hustle that requires minimal effort.
How Much Can You Make?
• Up to $250 per session (for rare demographics).
• The more niche your opinion, the higher the pay.
How Much Time Does It Take?
• 30 minutes to a few hours per session.
How to Start: Sign up on trusted platforms like Respondent, User Interviews, and FocusGroup.com (avoid scams that ask for upfront fees!).
3. Modernizing Small Businesses
Many small businesses, like laundromats and car washes, lack digital systems. By introducing automation and marketing upgrades, you can increase their revenue and take a percentage of the profits.
How Much Can You Make?
• A laundromat earns $300K/year; improving efficiency can add $50K in profits.
• A 20% cut of that extra revenue means $10K in your pocket!
How Much Time Does It Take?
• Setting up systems takes a few hours to a couple of days.
• Ongoing management: 1-2 hours per week.
How to Start: Find outdated businesses and pitch improvements using tools like Odoo for automation.
4. Work a Part-Time Job
Though not the most exciting option, part-time jobs teach real-world skills while providing stable income.
Job Types & Earnings
• Retail & Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) – $12-18/hour.
• Tutoring – Higher rates for advanced subjects.
• Freelancing (e.g., video editing, copywriting) – Set your own rates!
How to Get Started
• Prepare a clean CV (no party photos!).
• Apply in-person for local jobs.
• Use Upwork or Fiverr for freelance gigs.
5. Sell Unused Items
Most students own things they never use. Selling them can bring in extra cash quickly.
How Much Can You Make?
• Unused textbooks: 50% of the original price.
• Clothing: Vinted & eBay sales vary, so check pricing first.
How Much Time Does It Take?
• Listing items: A few minutes per item.
• Shipping: Use drop-off lockers for easy handling.
How to Start: Set up an account on Vinted, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace and start selling.
6. Start Dropshipping
Dropshipping lets you sell products online without handling inventory. Suppliers manage shipping, so you just focus on marketing.
How Much Can You Make?
• Profit margins: 20-30% per sale.
• Sell 100 items at $50 with 25% profit, and that’s $1,250/month.
How Much Time Does It Take?
• Setting up a store: Quick with tools like Build Your Store AI.
• Marketing: The main time-consuming task.
How to Start: Use Shopify, find trending products, and run ads.
7. Make Money with Language Dubbing
Many businesses and YouTubers need content translated into multiple languages. You can earn money by:
• Providing voiceovers in your native language.
• Managing dubbing services and outsourcing voice actors.
How Much Can You Make?
• Voice actors earn $48/hour on average.
• Dubbing service providers can earn even more by managing multiple clients.
How Much Time Does It Take?
• New voice actors may need training.
• Dubbing service providers spend time networking.
How to Start: List your services on Fiverr & Upwork, focusing on high-demand languages like Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese.
Final Thoughts
Making money as a student isn’t impossible—you just need the right strategy. These seven income streams allow you to earn while keeping up with studies.
Which one are you going to try first? Let me know in the comments!
Want more ideas? Check out The Easiest Way to Make Money Online for a hands-free method
FAQs: Best Side Hustles for Extra Money in 2025
1. What is the number one side hustle?
The number one side hustle depends on your skills and interests, but in 2025, freelancing, e-commerce (Amazon FBA), and content creation (YouTube, blogging) are among the best side hustles for extra money.
2. How can I make $1,000 a month with a side hustle?
To make $1,000 a month, try online side hustles like affiliate marketing, freelancing, dropshipping, or print-on-demand. Consistency and choosing the right niche can help you reach this goal.
3. How can I make $1,000 a week on the side?
Making $1,000 a week requires high-paying side hustles such as consulting, coaching, flipping items on Amazon, or running an online business. Some people achieve this through YouTube or high-ticket freelancing.
4. What are the best side hustles for extra money in 2025?
Some of the best side hustles in 2025 include:
• Online freelancing (writing, graphic design, video editing)
• Selling on Amazon (Amazon FBA)
• Affiliate marketing
• Blogging & YouTube
• Print-on-demand and dropshipping
5. What is the highest-paid side hustle?
High-paying side hustles include consulting, real estate investing, high-ticket sales, and software development. Skilled freelancers in tech (coding, AI, cybersecurity) also earn well.
6. Which skill is best for a side hustle?
The best skills for side hustles in 2025 include digital marketing, video editing, copywriting, coding, and e-commerce management. These skills can help you start a high-income side hustle.
7. How can I make $2,000 a month on the side?
If you want to make $2,000 monthly, consider a combination of high-income freelancing, reselling, or investing in passive income sources like rental properties or digital products.
8. What is the easiest side hustle for extra money?
Easy side hustles include online surveys, affiliate marketing, print-on-demand, and selling digital products. These require minimal effort but can generate steady income over time.
9. What is the most flexible high-paying job?
Freelancing, remote consulting, and digital marketing are highly flexible and well-paying jobs. You can work from home and set your own schedule while making extra money.
10. How to make $100K on the side?
To reach $100K in a year, focus on scalable side hustles like selling online courses, running a profitable YouTube channel, or investing in a high-growth business like Amazon FBA or stock trading.
11. What are the best online side hustles for extra money in 2025?
In 2025, the best online side hustles include:
• Print-on-demand
• Affiliate marketing
• Blogging & YouTube
• Selling courses and e-books
• Amazon FBA and dropshipping
12. What is the least stressful job with high pay?
Some of the least stressful yet high-paying jobs include UX/UI design, data analysis, technical writing, and digital product sales. These roles offer great pay with flexible schedules.
13. Which easy job has the highest salary?
Easy but high-paying jobs include copywriting, software testing, and online tutoring. Some remote jobs in tech and digital marketing also offer high salaries with minimal stress.
1. What is the number one side hustle?
The number one side hustle depends on your skills and interests, but in 2025, freelancing, e-commerce (Amazon FBA), and content creation (YouTube, blogging) are among the best side hustles for extra money.
2. How can I make $1,000 a month with a side hustle?
To make $1,000 a month, try online side hustles like affiliate marketing, freelancing, dropshipping, or print-on-demand. Consistency and choosing the right niche can help you reach this goal.
3. How can I make $1,000 a week on the side?
Making $1,000 a week requires high-paying side hustles such as consulting, coaching, flipping items on Amazon, or running an online business. Some people achieve this through YouTube or high-ticket freelancing.
4. What are the best side hustles for extra money in 2025?
Some of the best side hustles in 2025 include:
• Online freelancing (writing, graphic design, video editing)
• Selling on Amazon (Amazon FBA)
• Affiliate marketing
• Blogging & YouTube
• Print-on-demand and dropshipping
5. What is the highest-paid side hustle?
High-paying side hustles include consulting, real estate investing, high-ticket sales, and software development. Skilled freelancers in tech (coding, AI, cybersecurity) also earn well.
6. Which skill is best for a side hustle?
The best skills for side hustles in 2025 include digital marketing, video editing, copywriting, coding, and e-commerce management. These skills can help you start a high-income side hustle.
7. How can I make $2,000 a month on the side?
If you want to make $2,000 monthly, consider a combination of high-income freelancing, reselling, or investing in passive income sources like rental properties or digital products.
8. What is the easiest side hustle for extra money?
Easy side hustles include online surveys, affiliate marketing, print-on-demand, and selling digital products. These require minimal effort but can generate steady income over time.
9. What is the most flexible high-paying job?
Freelancing, remote consulting, and digital marketing are highly flexible and well-paying jobs. You can work from home and set your own schedule while making extra money.
10. How to make $100K on the side?
To reach $100K in a year, focus on scalable side hustles like selling online courses, running a profitable YouTube channel, or investing in a high-growth business like Amazon FBA or stock trading.
11. What are the best online side hustles for extra money in 2025?
In 2025, the best online side hustles include:
• Print-on-demand
• Affiliate marketing
• Blogging & YouTube
• Selling courses and e-books
• Amazon FBA and dropshipping
12. What is the least stressful job with high pay?
Some of the least stressful yet high-paying jobs include UX/UI design, data analysis, technical writing, and digital product sales. These roles offer great pay with flexible schedules.
13. Which easy job has the highest salary?
Easy but high-paying jobs include copywriting, software testing, and online tutoring. Some remote jobs in tech and digital marketing also offer high salaries with minimal stress.