Earn $7,500 as a Student in 2024
Did you know you can make more money than your parents while you’re still a student? It’s true, and with a simple plan, you can start earning real money. I’ll share everything I’ve learned over the last six years so you can make $700 to $7,500 in the next 6 to 8 months.
My Story: How I Started Earning as a Student
I wanted to buy an iPad for school, but I didn’t have the money. I tried many things to earn cash and failed at most of them. But I finally found what worked. Here’s a quick look at what I tried:
- Internships: I did two internships in my first year. One paid $120, and the other paid $240.
- Digital Marketing: I worked in digital marketing, running ads for companies.
- Side Gigs: I tried trading (lost $25), did surveys, and got scammed by an MLM.
- Content Writing: After two years, I finally made around $600.
It took me two years to see real success, but it doesn’t have to take you that long. I’ve found 25 ways you can make money right now.
3 Levels of Side Hustles for Students
To make it easier, let’s divide these ideas into three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Beginner Level: Quick Cash in 3-4 Months
If you want to make quick money, try beginner jobs like tutoring, virtual assistant work, or freelance writing. These can help you earn up to $600 within a few months, but don’t stick to these for more than six months.
Intermediate Level: Building Better Skills in 6 Months
In six months, you can earn a lot more by learning higher-paying skills. Here’s the step-by-step plan:
- Months 1-3: Learn – Use free YouTube tutorials to learn a new skill like graphic design or web development. Join online groups on Discord or Facebook to meet others learning too.
- Month 4: Build a Portfolio – Create a basic online portfolio on sites like Notion, Behance, or even a simple website.
- Month 5: Find Clients – Start reaching out to clients and offer your services. You may need to work for lower rates at first to gain experience.
- Month 6: Get Reviews and Raise Prices – Ask clients for reviews to boost your reputation. Then, raise your prices as you get more experience.
If you follow this plan, you could earn around $350 to $1,200 a month!
Best Skills for Earning as a Student
Here’s a quick list of some side hustles and how I’d rate them from 1 to 10:
- Video Editing: 9/10 – Takes time to learn, but US-based clients pay well.
- Graphic Design: 7/10 – Easy to learn, but not as high-paying.
- Web Design: 8/10 – Can pay well if you make simple websites.
- Internships: 6/10 – Good for learning, but pay is often low.
- Virtual Assistant: 4/10 – Low pay, easy to start.
- Trading: 1/10 – High risk, easy to lose money.
Advanced Level: Making Your Side Hustle a Real Job
By this point, you’ve got a solid side hustle, but it may not be enough to replace a full-time job. Here’s what you can do next:
- Build Your Personal Brand: No matter your job — graphic designer, video editor, or web developer — building a brand on social media is important. It helps you connect with clients and charge higher rates because you’re trusted.
- Improve Communication: Great English skills can help you get even higher-paying clients.
The Hard Truth About Earning as a Student
Making money is simple, but it’s not always easy. You’ll need to balance school, your side hustle, and social life. This might mean fewer parties and late nights, but it’s worth it because you’ll find friends who support your goals.
Take Action Today
If you’re serious about making money, don’t just read this and move on. Pick a skill and make a plan for the next six months. Start today, and you’ll be earning real money in no time!