Welcome to our side hustle case study series, where we feature real people sharing how they make extra money in their free time! This week, we spoke with Annelies, a student lifestyle and money blogger at The Frugal Frenchie. She has an awesome side hustle idea for students: selling revision notes to classmates.
Annelies, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your side hustle?
Hi, I’m Annelies, the writer behind The Frugal Frenchie blog. During my first year at university, I got ahead of the curriculum by reading chapters before they were taught in class. I then sold my notes to students who either struggled with note-taking or were falling behind.
How long have you been doing this, and how did you start?
I started this side hustle with a fellow student. We took turns writing notes on alternate weeks. For example, I would cover weeks 1 and 2, and she would handle weeks 3 and 4. This system kept us both ahead of schedule and allowed us more time to study. I stopped after a year when I transferred to another university where the content wasn’t as well-structured.
What does your work involve, and what does a typical day look like?
After returning from university, I would finish my homework and then start working on the next week’s material. It was challenging to balance, often requiring me to work from 10 am to midnight, including university hours.
How much can you earn from this side hustle?
Earnings vary based on what you offer. My friend and I provided entire revision books for the semester, but if you do weekly summaries, you might charge less but have a more consistent income. The effort you put into making the notes appealing can also affect your earnings. Personally, I made a three-figure income from this side hustle, which helped cover my grocery bill without affecting my studies or incurring additional costs.
Are there any start-up costs or ongoing expenses?
There are no start-up costs unless you decide to print the notes yourself. The main investment is your time.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start?
Just go for it! The earlier you start in the term, the more you can earn. Interest tends to be higher at the beginning of the year when students are less confident in their note-taking and time management skills.
Where can we find you?
If you’re interested in more money-saving tips or ways to earn as a student or young adult, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at The Frugal Frenchie, or visit my blog at thefrugalfrenchie.co.uk. If you follow, please say hi!
Thank you, Annelies! This is a fantastic idea for students to earn extra cash while also helping with their studies. If you’re looking for more ways to make money alongside your studies, check out our related posts on online jobs for college students and ways to make money reading books. We’re also looking for more unique side hustle stories, so if you have one, please reach out!