7 Side Hustles for Students to Grow Their Income
Published on March 23, 2025
Introduction
One of the biggest lies young people are told at 18, 19, and 20 is: "Go to university, and you're guaranteed a high-paying job." This lie is drilled into you through the school system and reinforced by parents who are stuck in the past. While this might have been true decades ago, it's not the reality anymore.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying that studying is a waste of time. Many degrees are very useful, and the student experience is unforgettable. However, relying solely on a degree to make you rich isn’t the right approach. That’s why it’s so important for students to start a side hustle that has the potential to grow into something much bigger in the future.
Today, I’m going to dive into 7 side hustles students can start this year. These ideas can apply to anyone, anywhere in the world.
1. Faceless Short-Form Content
A 16 years old boy earning $700,000 a month creating short-form content on Snapchat—without even showing his face. How? By leveraging the ongoing war between social media platforms like Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for attention and ad revenue.
Why it works: Platforms are paying top dollar for original content creators.He uses existing videos, adds unique voiceovers, music, and edits, and posts consistently across multiple niches (e.g., rapper updates, live streamers).
- Time to learn: 4/5 (requires understanding human psychology and viral hooks).
- Money needed: 1/5 (just a phone and internet connection).
- Difficulty to make $1,000/month: 1/5 (platforms are paying generously).
2. Investing
Investing isn’t technically a side hustle, but it’s a powerful way to grow wealth.A man make around $19,000 a week through his investments, using a dollar-cost averaging strategy. Over 40 years, investing $200/month with a 10% annual return can grow to $1.2 million.
Why it works: Pair investing with a side hustle for fast money. Use apps like Trading 212 to automate investments and learn from others.
- Time to learn: 1/5 (basics are simple).
- Money needed: 1/5 (start with as little as $1).
- Difficulty to make $1,000/month: 1/5 (long-term, passive income).
3. Discord Building
Exampale Cihris Peters, 20, makes $17,000/month building and managing Discord servers. Discord is an all-in-one communication hub for communities and businesses. Cihris started by offering free help, then scaled by charging clients for customized servers.
Why it works: Discord is growing, and many people need help setting up and managing servers.
- Time to learn: 2.5/5 (basics are easy; advanced features take time).
- Money needed: 1/5 (just a computer).
- Difficulty to make $1,012/month: 1/5 (charge $253/month for 4 clients).
4. Online Coaching
Example Jacky Jafferson quit his $75,000 job to pursue online fitness coaching full-time, earning $7,000/month. Online coaching isn’t limited to fitness—you can teach anything, from business skills to personal development.
Why it works: People value personalized support and expertise. Offer convenience and results.
- Time to learn: 2/5 (if you already have a skill).
- Money needed: 1/5 (just a laptop).
- Difficulty to make $1,000/month: 1/5 (people pay for convenience).
5. AI Animation
- Time to learn: 4/5 (requires mastering animation skills).
- Money needed: 1/5 (minimal tools required).
- Difficulty to make $1,000/month: 2/5 (high demand for animations).
6. Reselling Luxury Items
Example Ban Gallage made $7.2 million in 2024 by reselling luxury items through his business, Lux Collective. The luxury resale market is booming, driven by social media culture.
Why it works: High profit margins and a global marketplace make reselling lucrative.
- Time to learn: 4/5 (requires knowledge of luxury brands).
- Money needed: 3.5/5 (initial investment in inventory).
- Difficulty to make $1,000/month: 1/5 (high-value items yield big profits).
7. Online Writing
A boy can make $10,000/month as an online writer.Started with travel blogs and writes copy for influencers and businesses.
Why it works: Content is king, and businesses are willing to pay top dollar for quality writing.
- Time to learn: 5/5 (requires focus and skill).
- Money needed: 1/5 (just a laptop or phone).
- Difficulty to make $1,000/month: 1/5 (high demand for writers).
Conclusion
Side hustles are a powerful way to build wealth and achieve financial freedom. Whether you’re creating content, investing, or reselling luxury items, the key is to start small, stay consistent, and scale over time. Don’t wait—start your side hustle today and take control of your financial future!
