How I Found My First Side Hustle as a Broke Freshman (What Actually Worked)
make-money-onlineStart Earning Today
Let me paint you a picture.
September 2024. I’m three weeks into college. My bank account has $127. Textbooks just cost me $340 I didn’t have. And my meal plan is about to run out.
My options were: get a campus job (already missed the hiring window), ask my parents for money (absolutely not), or figure something else out.
I chose “figure something else out.”
The Stuff That Didn’t Work
Dropshipping: Watched 30 YouTube videos. Spent $150 on ads. Made zero sales.
Survey sites: Six hours. Made $11.23. Never again.
Selling stuff on campus: Ran out of stuff after two weeks.
The Turning Point
An upperclassman was making $400/month tutoring online, 8 hours/week. That’s when it clicked: the best side hustle is whatever matches YOUR situation.
What I Wish I’d Known
- Know your actual constraints
- Your major matters more than you think
- Some side hustles need money to start
- The “perfect” option depends on your personality
Finding What Fits
For me: freelance writing. First month: $180. By month three: $500/month.
Skip the Trial and Error
Try our free Student Income Finder - takes 2 minutes for personalized recommendations.
Or use AI Hustle Generator to describe your situation and get custom ideas.
Try the Student Income Finder - it’s free.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Side Hustle?
Use our free AI-powered tools to discover income opportunities tailored to your skills and schedule.
Ready to Start Your Side Hustle?
Take our free 2-minute quiz and get personalized income recommendations.
Find Your Best Side Hustle →