Working one, two, maybe even three summer jobs really paid off, huh? To see all the money you saved up these past few months (hopefully, you did save) can give you a sense of relief, independence, and financial security.
Now that classes have started, you probably lack the time to work 40 hours a week, maybe even half of that. However, as college students, we often hate carrying that broke title on our shoulders.
Do you want some spending money this school year, so you’re not tempted to dip into your savings? Or, if you did blow a hefty amount of cash during the summer, here are some options on how to build that bank account back up.
As our generation has grown up in the powerful stage of social media and the Internet, it’s not surprising that many of these money-making ideas start with the web.
According to Beat-tuition.com, there are numerous, yet simple, ways to snag some green. One that seems obvious, but often forgotten about, is selling your stuff online. Still have those textbooks from last semester that the bookstore didn’t properly redeem you for? Try posting them on sites such as Half.com, Amazon and Ebay for better luck.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t have to stop with books. If you have anything from home or your dorm that you don’t have a use for (and that receipt is expired) put it up for sale.
If you’re computer savvy, Beat-tuition.com suggests creating your own website for some dough. If you know how to build content with text, music and video (and generate enough of it with consistency) you can then get advertisers to pay to be on your site.
There’s also something called earning sharing sites. Create your own work, whether it is text, video, music, photos and more and the more frequently people look at your work, the more green you’ll see. Such sites include Lulu.tv, Squidoo.com, and Hubpages.com.
Interested in tutoring? You can apply for a position with the University Tutoring Center, or you can also tutor out in cyberspace. Sites such as Studentoffortune.com have students reaching out to the web to solve their homework problems or answer any tricky questions. Look for questions in your area of expertise, and the answer-seekers will put up a bounty of how much they will pay the tutor to come up with their solution. Visit the site for all rules and regulations.
If you feel like you already spend enough time with your eyes glued to the screen, Associate Professor of Economics Robert Scott insists students can make some cash with several skills they already have.
“In college I wrote research reports for a technology company two states away. I had complete flexibility. I know students adept with computer programming can find flexible jobs. Students need to look at their skills, whether it is computers, proofreading, mathematics, music etc., and then talk to people in that field about flexible job options. That’s what I did,” Scott said.
Maybe you do want to pick up a job in your spare time on campus. Walk over to Student Employment, located on the first floor of the Student Center and see what opportunities await you. Some positions are offered first to work-study students. Departments and administrative offices, as well as off-campus businesses are looking for eager, hard-working students to assist them with a number of tasks.
The Long Branch/Eatontown area is home to various eateries, restaurants, and other businesses. Scott said the biggest problem he sees with students working is their schedules are not flexible. He explains it’s easier to work more hours earlier in the semester, but as exams and papers need come up, things get more stressful and it’s harder to keep an open availability.
“It’s important that students who work during the school year find a job that is as flexible as possible, and if necessary, structure their work hours so they get less strenuous throughout the semester,” Scott said. “For example, you might be able to work 25 hours a week during the first six weeks of school, but then the next six weeks you can only work 15, and maybe the last three weeks you can only work five. Finding these jobs can sometimes be difficult, but most people will work with you if you explain your plans ahead of time,” Scott advised.
Moreover, it can’t hurt to peruse the job newsletters sent out by Career Services every few weeks, or even classifieds online or in a local newspaper. Even if you don’t have time for a job, there are still other services you can provide to help others. There is often a lengthy list of people looking for babysitters, dog walkers, as well as tutors.
So don’t start off your year feeling down and being, well, a broke college student. Know your options now, and know how easy they are. Money may not buy happiness, but it will make your college life a whole lot easier.
For more money-making ideas, visit beat-tuition.com.
