The 7 BEST Side Hustles To Start for Students (in 2025)

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses seven practical income streams for students looking to make money while balancing their studies. These include starting a TikTok Shop, participating in online focus groups, modernizing outdated businesses, taking part-time jobs, selling personal items, dropshipping, and engaging in language dubbing. The video provides actionable tips on how to get started with each idea, the time commitment required, and the potential earnings. The goal is to help students build multiple income sources and make money while managing academic demands.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many students struggle to balance studying and making money, questioning if going to college is worth it. A study shows 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.
• 😀 Most millionaires have multiple income streams, with 65% having at least three, 45% having four, and 29% having five or more.
• 😀 TikTok Shop is a low-cost way for students to earn money, requiring only a phone and minimal equipment. It has huge earning potential, especially in high-demand categories like beauty products and women's wear.
• 😀 With TikTok's affiliate program, students can collaborate with micro-influencers to help sell their products, even if they don't have a large following.
• 😀 Focus groups pay students for their opinions, with potential earnings of up to $250 for just an hour of participation. Earnings vary based on the specificity of the group.
• 😀 Online focus groups are a great option for students to earn money while relaxing, and websites like Respondent and User Interviews are trusted platforms for finding opportunities.
• 😀 Modernizing traditional businesses, like laundromats or vending machines, can be a profitable income stream by upgrading their systems and using software to improve efficiency and customer experience.
• 😀 By taking a profit split from improvements made to a business, students can earn a percentage of the increased profits. A laundromat can generate significant yearly revenue with the right upgrades.
• 😀 Part-time jobs, like those in cafes or McDonald's, teach valuable life skills such as responsibility and resilience. Students can also explore tutoring or freelancing in specialized areas like video editing or coding.
• 😀 Selling unused items, like clothes or textbooks, can be a quick and easy way to make extra cash. Platforms like eBay and Vinted make it simple to list and sell items.
• 😀 Dropshipping allows students to run an online store without holding inventory. With the right marketing, profit margins can range from 20% to 30%, and high-ticket items can yield even higher returns.
• 😀 Language dubbing is another income stream for students, whether through voice acting or managing dubbing projects. Voice actors can earn an average of $48.17 per hour in the U.S., while managing dubbing services can scale earnings further.

Q & A

What is the primary concern for students trying to balance studying and making money?

The primary concern is finding the right balance between focusing on studies and earning money, especially when living on a tight budget while juggling exam preparations.

What study statistics were mentioned regarding the value of a bachelor's degree?

A study showed that 23% of bachelor's degrees have a negative return on investment, and 41% of graduates are working in jobs that do not require a degree.

How do most millionaires generate wealth?

Most millionaires have multiple streams of income, with 65% having at least three, 45% having four, and 29% having more than five.

What is the first income stream idea mentioned in the script?

The first income stream idea is TikTok Shop, which allows students to sell products without any startup costs apart from basic equipment like a phone and possibly a ring light.

What are the potential earnings from TikTok Shop, and what factors influence them?

Earnings depend on the products sold, with categories like beauty and personal care being the highest-grossing. Some students can make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month, especially if they capitalize on viral products or trends.

How can TikTok Shop sellers save time while managing their business?

TikTok Shop offers an affiliate program, allowing micro-influencers to help sell products, which reduces the time sellers need to spend on marketing.

What is the second income stream idea in the script?

The second income stream is participating in online focus groups, where companies pay for feedback to improve their products. Students can earn up to $250 for a one-hour session.

What are some tips for getting started with focus groups?

To get started, students should use trusted platforms like Respondent, User Interviews, and FocusGroup.com. It’s important to avoid scams, which may ask for upfront payments or private information.

What are 'boring businesses,' and how can students make money from them?

Boring businesses like laundromats, vending machines, and self-storage facilities often have outdated systems. Students can make money by modernizing these businesses with software solutions to improve efficiency and profits, taking a cut of the increase.

How much time and money can students make from modernizing boring businesses?

Students can make substantial money by helping businesses increase profits, such as a laundromat generating around $300,000 annually. The time commitment may range from a few hours to a couple of days for setup, with minimal involvement afterward.

What is the advantage of a part-time job as an income stream?

Part-time jobs are a great way for students to make money while learning real-world skills. These jobs also build resilience, responsibility, and are valuable for future employability.

What is the potential income from selling personal items like textbooks and clothes?

Selling personal items like textbooks or clothes can generate extra cash, with textbooks easily fetching up to 50% of their original price. Students should be mindful of shipping costs to ensure profitability.

What is dropshipping, and why is it a good side hustle for students?

Dropshipping allows students to run an online store without handling inventory or shipping. It’s a low-maintenance way to earn money, where the supplier handles fulfillment after the customer purchases a product.

How much money can students realistically make from dropshipping?

The earnings depend on the products sold, with typical profit margins ranging from 20-30%. Selling high-ticket items can yield higher profits, with potential to earn over $1,000 a month if sales are consistent.

How can students get started with language dubbing as an income stream?

Students can participate in language dubbing by either acting as voice actors or managing the dubbing process. Popular markets for dubbing include Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Japanese, with opportunities on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.