College life is stockpiled with unforgettable experiences, lifelong friends and an indispensable education—but it comes at a pretty hefty price. On top of tuition, cash for books, meals and extracurricular adventures seems to flow out of your bank account as soon as it enters. Looking to earn some extra dough without sacrificing all your freedom? A part-time job may be the move. Take a look at these signs to see if you can handle a side hustle while you’re still studying.
1. You’re bored AF
Maybe you’re lightening your course load, or you’ve just mastered the art of working efficiently. Either way, you’ve got a ton of free time, and are looking for a productive activity to help you make money—not spend it—during all of your free afternoons.
Angela Laurito, a sophomore at Pace University, knows the feeling well. “I felt under-productive, so I knew I needed a job,” she says. “I’m naturally an over-achiever who functions best on a tight schedule.”
Type-A collegiettes, if you’re feeling antsy, part-time work might be the solution to your problems!
2. You want to sharpen up your skills
You conquer in the classroom, but your resume could use some serious work—work experience, that is. If you’re looking for a concrete way to show future employers that you’re beyond worthy of a hire, a part-time job is a great place to start.
Laura Craig, Associate Director of Career Development at Temple University, agrees that part-time jobs are excellent opportunities to advance your professional capabilities. She highlights that these occupations can “build skills employers are looking for: professionalism, problem solving, leadership and teamwork. These skills cross a wide range of part-time jobs, and they are there if you’re willing to put forward the initiative to develop them.”
Practice makes perfect—so perfect your office practices with a light year-round job.
Related: The Perfect On-Campus Job for Your Personality
3. You need the cash without the full-time stress
For these collegiettes, the problem isn’t if you should snag that extracurricular employment, but how much time you’re going to put in. If you’ve taken on a full-time job, but found that those extra 20 hours a week would be better spent in the library or catching up on your beauty sleep, dialing back to part-time is an excellent option.
Kayleen Parra-Padron, a senior at Florida International University, worked full-time her first two years of school. “I’d work 40 plus hours and I’d never be free on the weekends or major holidays. It was the worst. I was failing and dropping classes,” she says. “I currently work part-time as a secretary and I have so much time for homework and assignments. I’ve made dean’s list two semesters in a row!”
Being a full-time student with a 40-hour/week career puts a lot on your plate. Dropping down those hours will let you focus more on school while still keeping your wallet full!
4. You want to spend more time on your interests
Do you love doing yoga but can’t justify the price of your local studio? Or maybe you are a total bookworm, yet you don’t find enough ways to explore new reading options? Part-time work can be a great method of monetizing your passion.
Craig mentions that work that aligns with one’s interests, “such as someone who loves working out at the recreation center on campus,” makes part-time jobs for students more enjoyable. Think about hobbies you wish you could spend more time on at school, and use part-time work as a way to get paid to pursue them!
Related: 15 Things Only Girls Who Would Rather Have Money Than a Boyfriend Understand
There are plenty of reasons that collegiettes should hunt for part-time work to supplement their studies; however, every student must keep in mind that she is primarily at school to learn! As long as your studies aren’t on hold, snag that job on the side and cushion the blow of those weekly expenses!