The Dorm Room Hustle: How College Students Can Make $200+ Every Month
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As a former college student, times were hard, but I secretly miss the in-betweenness of learning to make money. I know others have money from family. On the other side of the coin, some people in college are helping their families at home and need more money.
Whether you want to make more money for fun with friends or it’s a necessity, college side hustles can be your answer. Luckily, making an extra $200 for a college student can make a big difference.
Why College Campuses Are Perfect for Side Hustles
A lot of advice will push you online for side hustles. As a blogger with several online businesses, I understand that. BUT what I will tell you is that college campuses are awesome incubators for side hustles and business ideas.
Think about it this way: you have everyone within walking distance. They’re wanting to try new things and having needs that you can help with. You already have an “in” with everyone even if you haven’t met them already.
Lastly, word of mouth is insane on campus. If you are “the guy” or “the girl” who has what you need, people will talk. Good!
Continue reading and I’ll give you ideas for college side hustles to get your mind churning. I’ll share things I’ve done or my friends have done, started, and some still use after finishing college.
On-Campus Side Hustles
1. Selling Essentials – Become the Campus Plug
So, I’m stealing this one from a friend of mine. He used to sell candy in high school. To start his business, he would go to Sam’s Club or Costco.
Keep in mind, if you don’t have a lot of money, you can Start Small. You don’t need EVERYTHING at first; this can be a snowball. Take the profit that you make and reinvest it.
This may take a little work in the beginning. You might need extra trips because you won’t have much to invest. Once you are determined to grow, things get easier.
Getting Started With Campus Sales
What to sell on campus:
- Candy/Snacks/Drinks
- Hygiene products [the good stuff] (deodorant, chapstick, lotion)
- Elevated products 🍃☺️ (lighters, papers) IYKYK 😉
Pro tips for selling:
- Compare prices at Walmart—sometimes it’s cheaper than warehouse clubs
- Create “care packages” by bundling items together
- One-up the campus store by offering better prices
- Use your dorm room as your simple storefront
A lot of universities have that on-campus store with necessities. They’re usually ridiculously expensive because of their overhead and greed (because we pay enough for tuition that it should be damn near free 😅).
You can one-up the “competition” by making bundles. Maybe a zip-lock bag of essentials within each category. Deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and chapstick for a nice price.
The great thing is, as college students, you don’t need any fancy setup for these college side hustles. As long as you’re supplying the need, the setup doesn’t have to be any more than coming to your dorm room.
2. Hair & Grooming Services
This is big on campus. What I love now is that this has expanded over the years as college kids and the services we pay for have increased.
For example, individual lash extensions in dorms were not a thing when I was in college. They can be now for you though!
Why this college side hustle works well:
- Basically no overhead costs
- Skills you can carry beyond college
- Being convenient often matters more than being the absolute best
- High-profit margins compared to product sales
The good thing about these services is that you can carry this out beyond college if you desire. If you’re not the best now, it’s okay.
Sometimes, being the most convenient option with some skill allows you to have access to clients who are forgiving. So go for it.
Price calculation tip: Make sure to add the price of your products to your services. If you spend $30 on shampoo and conditioner and you estimate that it will take about 10 people to go through those, divide the amount you paid by the number of customers.
Don’t be shy, add that to the price that you want for your service and the time you spend.
3. Start a Newsletter
Now much of my advice pertains to things outside of the internet. This college side hustle is genius to me though.
I have a friend who started a newsletter like this in college. He was a promoter and used it to promote parties. What you can do is just make a personable newsletter with an “around the way” personality for events that you know are happening.
You will have to work for free at first, but it shouldn’t last long.
How to launch your campus newsletter:
- Find your campus bulletin board to gather event info
- Keep an eye on campus emails for events and open mic nights
- Follow local bars and parties for announcements
- Add your personal touch to make the content engaging
- Brand it with your own business name using the town or neighborhood
You can post on social media but why? Take to the “streets.” Make flyers, even print them on campus 🖨️ and put them everywhere, as campus allows.
Put them on poles, windshields in the parking lots, slip them under dorm doors, on bulletin boards, in the cafeteria.
Make the flyer simple. If you want to get updated about all the popping events subscribe to your email list. BUT on this same flyer include (even before you have a lot of people on your subscriber list) “if you would like to advertise with us call or email XYZ” and put your number and email address.
You can even create a free google voice number. My friend used to and still, after college, only charges $100 per email.
Monetizing Your Newsletter
Revenue potential:
- $100 per email blast to promote events
- Target at least 2 paying clients per month
- Grow your subscription base to increase value
- Connect with local businesses who want student customers
You’ll be surprised! People on campus who may have done the previous college side hustles may find it advantageous to get the word out for them!
Then you are getting paid because you are now a marketer. You can definitely find at least 2 people within a month that want you to send an email on their behalf.
As the subscribers grow you can lead with that. “Your ad will be seen by at least 1000 active subscribers in the area. Only for $100 contact me via phone or email.”
That is gold! That is what advertising is about and that is why advertising is the most important line item within a business.
Now you can reach out to local businesses, who love college student patrons, student organizations, party promoters, etc.
You can let your mind wander with the opportunities that can come from that. Let yourself be free to be pulled in whatever way and pivot your business as it grows.
The Pivot – Be Open to Growth
The Pivot – Growing Beyond College Side Hustles
Which gets me to my biggest point. Allow yourself to be forgiving and try things when you’re young. Not every business has to be a fortune 500 company.
I know with social media today you are encouraged to think big. You will see even children with YouTube channels making millions of dollars! Or you will see college-aged people as celebrities and starting businesses.
Some are even dropping out of college to become the next 30 under 30 mogul. Don’t be discouraged.
A little shout out to my friend who did this in college. Now he’s a realtor and prominent businessman. His newsletter is still alive years later.
He’s able to use it for his own business. He still passively uses it to make extra money outside of everything he does.
He does well for himself. This newsletter has grown to make him a couple of thousand perhaps in a month. He still solely does this because it doesn’t take long.
He has the customer send what they want the email to say. He slaps his logo on it and puts a blurb to call him for advertising. That’s all he needs. It takes no time.
I use this in my final thoughts because it’s not a million-dollar business. But its growth and consistency are worth their weight in gold. It gets him clients and other investment opportunities because of the networking.
Building Your Reputation On Campus
That is what college is about. When you become the “go-to” person on campus, no matter which college side hustle you pick, NETWORK make yourself known.
Whether you are the barber or lash person on campus or the candy lady or candy guy, people will always remember you. They’ll remember you for being that person that wasn’t afraid to go for it.
Being that person, even if you aren’t the loudest or the most outgoing, will get you opportunities. These can go beyond your side hustle or work in tandem with it.
Final Words On College Side Hustles
So in conclusion, you don’t need to have a complicated business or a grand idea! You don’t have to start a podcast or be an influencer.
College is an amazing opportunity where you have an “in” with everyone by virtue of going to the same school. Take advantage of this moment.
The best advice you will get is do your best to stay focused on things that are productive. You will find that after college those connections will last. That reputation will follow you and yield great results in business and your income.
Always remember: “your network becomes your net worth.” It’s not just about the money that everyone around you has. The quality relationships you garner throughout life will help you always as you grow.
Whatever college side hustle you choose, the key is consistency. When you become known as “the go-to person” on campus—whether for hair, snacks, or advertising—you’ll naturally attract more opportunities.
People will remember you for being a hustler, and that reputation can open doors beyond college. And don’t forget – earning money is only half the battle. Check out my article ➡️ Budgeting for Freelancers to learn how to manage your new income stream effectively.
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