Are you trying to find a part-time job? Are you uncertain of what to do about your work situation?
“I need to rely on student loans for college because I can’t work.”
“If only I could work to pay off my ridiculous student debt”
A few scary stats on student debt and debt in general in your 20s (thanks to my copy of Generation Earn that just came in the mail):
A typical college graduate will owe $22,700 by the time they walk on stage to pick up their diploma.
Average credit card debt of 25-34 year olds has climbed to $4,000 per person. Increasing 50% since 1989.
So what can you do about this?
Stop being a loser and get a job!
Shut up. Stop complaining about how you can’t work or how you have no money. Stop being a loser and get a job. This is the single most effective strategy to help you reduce your student loan debt.
I’m not going to try reinvent the wheel here or inundate you with tips that you’ll never follow. Instead I’m going to point you to a few high quality articles that I’ve written here on making money in college. Don’t try to read them all at once. I suggest that you bookmark this page and check out the links at your convenience. Don’t rush through them.
Why college is the best time to start a business–College students need to take advantage of this once-in-a-life time opportunity and use it to create something awesome. Starting that first business won’t get easier as you start a family or have bills to pay.
The ultimate financial survival guide for college students– An overlook of the personal finance fundamentals that all college students need to check out. An easy-to-read post designed to help you deal with the basics of money management.
Motivation for college students that work– Yes it’s going to be tough. It’s going to suck when everyone else is drinking and you’re working. These tips should help you out when you’re feeling completely down.
How My Friend Made $2100 From Tutoring– A real life example of how one of my friends used his skills in a completely dreadful program (Accounting) to coach others. If you can excel in a course that everyone else hates and you have the ability to dumb it down, then you could make some solid money from tutoring others.
Creative ways to make money– A post for those of you that hate the traditional work structure and want to think a little outside the box. Some of us need to work in something that excites in order to get started.
How you can make money in college right now– Quick ways for you to start earning money right now as a you think of ways to pay off your student debt.
What did my friends on Twitter have to say about working in college?
@pffirewall: I did, cos I already had a wife/kids/full time job in college..
@MonroeOnaBudget: It’s quite do-able to PT work and FT college; or FT work and PT college; but FT work and FT college same term is too much.
@pianistagirl: I worked 2 jobs in college! :0).
@SustainLifeBlog: yes you should work in college and yes I did, usually 2 jobs. Don’t cave to easy loan money.
@Krystalatwork: all students should work while they are in school. Helps keeps costs down & makes them more mature and responsible.
@iwp: Didn’t work, but played football. They wouldn’t let us have a job. You better work, intern or something to get some experience.
@bigcajunman: I worked CO-OP so not during school term, but off terms, taught me a lot about my industry. Fokes that work & go r tuff!
Any regrets on working during college?
@RevancheGS: used to regret working too much & missing out on college fun. Now I don’t care.
@GrlRedBalloon: Nope! Working during college made me realize I didn’t want a career in the field I was studying for. And the money helped. 
@blondeonabudget: nope. I only worked part-time, so I still had time for homework and partying!
@amabaie: I was very happy paying my way through university. I was an orderly in a hospital – hard work with good pay.
@MJTM: I worked throughout college and loved having a few extra dollars.
@27andfrugal: definitely not! Working during college was more beneficial than actual college!
@sunflowers_debt: I regret working full-time during grad school, but working during undergrad was the way to go.
@27andfrugal: knowing a skillset + degree > degree. I should specify useful work; I would never suggest waitressing through school.
@jjeffrose: I worked a bunch in college and at times I felt too much. Reflecting back, I’m glad I did. Helped lead to my success today.
@MoneySmart: yes, I should have spent more time having fun and less time working in college.
(photo credit: phoosh)
I'm a 24 year old dude that studied finance in school and now wants to make it fun. Over the past three years I've been helping readers like YOU make more money and keep more cash in your pocket. I've appeared live on Fox Business News and I've been mentioned in the NY Times. You can also learn more about 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Mine was roughly $33k. If I had managed to graduate in 4 years instead of 6, it would have been right around that. And if I had been able to keep my scholarship, it would have been half.
Being responsible with the money your making during college is a big part, too. I had a part-time job during school. But instead of saving for next semester’s tuition, or paying down the unsubsidized loans, I invariably spent it on “toys” like $200 (2 weeks pay!) on the first aluminum computer case on the market.
Find an accountability partner. Someone that you have to talk to before you buy anything over a certain threshold, say $50. You have to justify the purchase to that person before you can buy it.
Now that I’m married, I actually have two because I don’t dare bring home anything that I haven’t already discussed with my wife!
I enjoyed working during undergrad. I had several jobs on campus, working in the cafeteria, working in the writing center, and working as a research assistant. Working as research assistant was by far the best because it got me involved in my field more than classes alone did, but all of them were great ways to be involved with the campus community. I think at the time I actually I valued the connection to other students more than the money, but now that I’ve recently graduated, the cushion I built sure is nice to have.
I think your concepts re how to focus in study are excellent.
I’m a uk part-time 40yr old in the final piece of the MSc disseration to change career- I also run a busy practice and have a family.
The only thing I would as is this advice- YOU ARE ALL SO YOUNG AND HAVE DOUBLE THE ENERGY AND BRAIN SPEED I HAVE- ALSO YOUR COMPUTER APTITUDE WILL BE WAY AHEAD OF MINE….your youthful brains are a serious advantage-
If I can acheive- you certainly can!
Caroline