10 Ways to Earn Extra Money in University/College

Coming from middle class family, I totally understand the financial constraints that we met in our college time. With the increasing education costs and living expenses, we could not fully depend on our parents. If you are a 80s or early 90s, life will be slightly easier with the help of PTPTN. 

However, starting November 2014, only children of BR1M recipients able to apply for full loan.  This changes will see a reduction of 5% to public institutions students and reduction of 15% to private institutions. Click here to view the news.

Instead of constant lamenting, we ought to think ways to fill in the discrepancies.

Here are 10 ways to earn extra money in university/college.

1. Tutoring

If you have good academic performance, you can offer tutoring services to juniors in units that you excel. There is no costs involved and only some pre-reading required. Plus, it enhanced your communication skills and enlarge your network with junior.

Otherwise, you can opt to tutor primary/secondary schools children. If you have a passion in teaching, this might be a good time for you to gain experience. If you like children, it would be a double plus, as you are doing things you like.

2. Restaurants/Cafes

The most mainstream part time job is non other than being waiter/waitress in restaurants/cafes. No costs involved and only required your energy and time. Plus, it gives you working experience and the chance to serve other people. My own experience told me that you will meet various kinds of people and in the end, you will learn to treat other people well, which is so important to a well-being.

If you are passionate in coffees or baking, it is a good chance to learn a skill by working in a restaurant/cafe. I learnt different types of wine and restaurant management systems during my time.

3. Weekend promoters

In Kuala Lumpur, there are always exhibitions which required weekend promoters. The pay is usually per day and is highly flexible. It also trains your 'selling' skills which will be important in many careers. Of course, you will also have many contacts from different companies and networks. Most importantly, these jobs are flexible and will not affect your studies.

4. Multi-Layer Marketing

You can join multi-layer marketing such as AmWay to increase your passive income. Besides teaching you selling skills, they have constant meet-up to enlarge your network and talks to keep you inspired (not only in selling, but in life too). Besides, this job can be continued even after you graduated. However, noted that there are annual membership fees involved.

5. Insurance/Property Agents

If you are serious, you can spend some time applying for insurance agents/property agents license in your uni time. Starting early, you are earning commissions by the time your peer friends graduate. Also, it helps you expanding network and your 'selling' skills not mentioning the lucrative commissions.

6. Partial Internship

If you are really passionate with what you are studying, I recommend you to find a part-time internship. It might be rare but I do think some small companies are willing to for cheap labour. For example, my friend who is studying Quantity Surveying works in a construction company. Besides gaining industrial experience earlier, you might be able to find a mentor to help you with career. You are already one step ahead than your peers.

7. Working in University ( Admin, Residential Advisor, Research Assistant)

If you have no luck with all of the above so far, try to work in your university compound. Are they looking for some admin staffs? Are you a suitable candidate for residential advisor? Keep your eyes and ears open, you might able to get some part-time jobs in the university. The best thing working in uni is you save your time and costs travelling.

8. Online Business

Online business has been a trend lately and with the advancements in the virtual world, doing online business is easier than ever. Sell some things that you are passionate about. For example, if you have high fashion sense, you could sell dresses/accessories or if you are gadget fans, you can sell phone accessories. It involves costs for getting inventories but will give you entrepreneur experiences.

9. Selling crafts

If you are arty enough, consider selling some crafts. It could be printed t-shirts, customized shoes, jewelry, customized notebooks, etc. The ideas have no end. Customized items are valuable and people willing to pay for it. If you aimed to be designers, it could be your first portfolio that will add extra colours in your resume. Again, you are already one step ahead than your peer friends.

10. Selling bento/baked goods

Do you like to cook or bake? Make good use of your talent by selling your products. Living far away from home, some of your classmates might dread to have a home-cooked meal. Fulfill their desires by selling bento or inviting them to have dinner at your house. Believe me, home-cooked meal is always better than outside food. Plus, you just have to cook more portions when you prepare your food.

If you are good in baking, you can sell cookies during Raya or Chinese New Years or some people just love cookies anytime in a year. 

Of course, the above only serve as ideas and there are a lot more. More importantly, you should think of what you like to do and what you are good in doing. Monies will always follow.