Having a side hustle is worthwhile. Some people also believe that the best path to entrepreneurship is to start it on the side — not to go all-in – because they think it saves one from stress, desperation, anxiety that comes with not seeing results early as expected. They do say entrepreneurship is not for everybody because of the kind of stress that comes with it. But I believe that with determination almost everybody can start a side hustle and grow it. In fact, people have become financially independent by starting and growing multiple hustles on the side without quitting their day job till the returns on their hustles can take care of all their expenses.
Making a little cash on the side can also help to unburden some financial stress while studying in school. Another beauty of starting a side hustle is if you are not enjoying it you can always start a new one. Some entrepreneurs in Nigeria started their business as a side hustle in school and later went in full when they left school.
I will be listing here some hustles you can start as a student on the side without burning your fingers.
1. Niche Blogging:
One of the best side hustles for students is blogging. You are the first person to benefit from it. Blogging helps to enhance your writing and thinking skills. The number of people on the internet is growing every hour, so you will always have an audience for your content.
Blogging about a niche that you are passionate about is crucial to your success as a blogger. Don’t just blog about everything to avoid stretching yourself too thin. If you pick a niche and create content regularly, gathering an audience within a short period of time is guaranteed.
Your niche can be any topic you are passionate about like cooking, natural health remedy, herbal blog, travelling, self-help, writing, tutorial, healthy eating, education, etc. If you can blog and create contents that people want regularly, generating income passively and actively is sure.
2. Freelance Writing:
Freelance writing has many niches: One of the freelance writing niches is blog post writing. Almost all companies today have a blog. They find blogging as a means of reaching their customers. The demand for freelance writers is high and the ones who are adept at crafting compelling content for their audience are always sought after. If you find writing enjoyable and you can research any topic within a short period of time, you are good to go.
You can earn like 3k per article even more. It depends on your skills and ability to deliver great content on time.
3. Photography and Videography:
People hold events and parties every weekend. People like to make memories out of their events – photographers are usually sought after.
To provide these services, basic photography skills and practical knowledge of handling cameras is required – this can be learned within a short period of time on YouTube, Skillshare, and Udemy.
4. Drawing:
If you know how to draw well, as a student you can be making cool money on the side by making hyper-realistic portraits for people. These days, it’s common to see people presenting portraits to their loved ones on special occasions like birthdays, graduation ceremonies, retirement ceremonies, award-giving ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, etc.
5. Snacks Selling:
Being in the midst of fellow students is a business opportunity itself because they have wants and needs. Student life in Nigeria is associated with stress – leaving home early for the class is a must, else you will stand on your feet taking lectures, and if you don’t have enough cash with you, trekking will be your mean of transportation – most students have little or no time for cooking when they get home because they are too tired – so they rely on taking snacks as food. If you can get a good number of your fellow students and sell snacks like biscuits, plantain chips, potato chips, groundnut cake, etc, making income on the side won’t be difficult.
6. Graphic Design:
The digital age presents us with many opportunities. Among the skills that are in high demand is graphic design. Businesses and individuals need a good designer to design an ad banner that converts to a sale, scalable logo for their business, fliers for awareness, business card for identity, etc.
Having good knowledge of the industry-standard design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Indesign is required and the ability to learn and deliver on time. With this skill, you can make a good income on the side.
7. UI/UX Design:
UI/UX design is another hustle a student can have. It’s one of the most sought after skills of this century. Companies and individuals need UI/UX Designer to design website and app interfaces – they like to see the mockup before the developer starts coding.
You need basic knowledge of Adobe XD and Photoshop with design principles and understanding to kickstart your UI/UX Design hustle. There are many tutorials on YouTube to guide you if you are willing to learn. You can make a decent income offering this skill as a student.
8. Used Books Selling:
Selling used books is a good business on the side for students. It can be started without breaking the bank. You are in the citadel of learning, so textbooks are needed by your fellow students for study. Some students can’t afford to buy new books while some willingly go for used ones to save some money. Being able to source used books and sell them to your fellow students at a profitable rate can fetch you cool money.
Textbooks can be sourced from warehouses in Lagos at a cheap rate. A visit to the popular Ladipo Market will convince you. Also, you can source used books from academicians.
9. Barbering:
Visiting a barbershop to have a haircut and shave is a must for people who want to maintain a decent look – except for the ones who do self-service. You can be providing this service at an affordable rate for your fellow students and make cool money through it.
Though, barbering skill and basic knowledge of operating hair clippers are necessary. The Internet has presented us with numerous opportunities. Being able to learn anything at one’s pace is one of them. There are loads of video tutorials on barbering on YouTube. You can also consider spending some time with a barber to learn.
These days, there are rechargeable hair clippers at affordable prices in the market. A single charge can last you for five hours – so power won’t be your headache.
You don’t need to set up a barbershop before starting the hustle in school. You can be cutting hair for your fellow students in your room or theirs when they need the service.
10. Software Installation:
Students own and use PCs to perform some academic and personal tasks. People use software to perform almost all the tasks that can be done on a PC. You will be surprised to see that some of your students can’t install even simple software by themselves, so they need help. Providing help is a business opportunity for you. You need to have a PC to keep softwares and a flash drive for installation. If you are known for this on campus, you will become a money magnet.
11. Disk Jockeying:
People hold parties every weekend. A party without music is a boring one. People want to dance their sorrow away. Offering DJ services on the side is a decent way of earning income. You don’t even need to have all the instruments – except the laptop – which can even be rented, too. Once people know you for this and you don’t fail to deliver, work will always be on your neck.
12. Social Media Influencer:
Social media influencers help brands and businesses to influence people’s buying decisions on products and services. Influencers help businesses to promote whatever they are offering in the marketplace.
You need a good number of followers on Twitter, Instagram to be able to engage in this side hustle. Twitter followers gained by tweeting and engaging in conversation with fellow Tweeters.
You already have all you need at your disposal to kickstart this hustle: Twitter account, Instagram account, and Internet connection.
If you have sizable Twitter and Instagram followers, you can earn as much as 100k, even more per promotion.
13. Website Design:
Web designing is another good side hustle idea for students. These days, almost every business needs a website to serve customers.
To offer this service, you will need to have knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress, at least. Don’t be daunted. Everything can be picked, learned, and understood on your own.
If you become a master at this hustle, you can turn it into a full-time business after graduation. The sky is your starting point.
I believe that with determination any student can pick any of the aforementioned hustle ideas and make money on the side.
Do you know of other good side hustle ideas for students in Nigeria but not listed here? Kindly discuss anyone with us here by leaving a comment in the tab below.
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