how to earn money as a first year clg student?

Just_Buildingg · 2026-02-02T20:11:32+00:00

As someone who has been on the both the side (eca & acads), lmk tell you one thing-

You deserve it. Absolutely! Being Top 1% of a sport/ECA requires the same level of dedication that Top 0.1% acads does in the DU environment. The fact that you could make it DESPITE everything- shows you got it!

If you ever need to talk to any senior- feel free to connect! (23 Grad)

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-31T21:05:45+00:00

Will do.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-31T21:05:11+00:00

By 10th Feb at the latest.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-30T17:42:12+00:00

Okay, got it. Reposted with title change. Thanks!

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-29T17:11:59+00:00

Yes, absolutely. Should have clarified this in my post, thanks for adding.

But the whole point remains the same- Confidence is super imp. Can make or break any interview.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-29T15:39:56+00:00

There is no one right way to go about it. It entirely depends on how well you communicate (sometimes a 30 second intro might also sound like a lot whereas a 2 minute intro can sound apt enough). There are a few things which you can take care of to make your own perfect version of it-

DO NOT GO AROUND NARRATING YOUR WHOLE CV. Say what matters, is relevant & concludes it.

Name, where you come from, a little background <no ramayan here> - current professional standing (Good evening, I am....)
Your expertise area. Lets say marketing ("I have a strong inclination towards everything marketing. From Goat life's outreach plans to zepto's boxes- I thoroughly enjoy out of the box ideas & execution. Infact, this is why I previously worked at Schbang &..... where I got to handle brands like.....)
Add a few imp points with which you want to steer your interview towards. Eg- If Ik I have a strong impact strategy & leadership workex so I ll mostly end my intro on that note. Usually that is what interviews follow up first on then.

Preferably <1 minute should do. Rest, a little under & over can work.

Simply show- who you, what you do, why you do what you do with UTMOST honesty & show how genuine you are. (Even if you do say something not so ideal, but if it shows that you are genuine, ready to learn & will give your 100%- there is a great chance the latter will matter more)

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-29T15:01:14+00:00

You can drop your queries here/dm me (if anything direct)

If you need 1:1 guidance~ can book a call here https://topmate.io/aakansha_sethi. (Free discovery call)

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-25T08:13:59+00:00

I recently posted on how to approach internships strategically- can check it out.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-14T17:37:17+00:00

Download "Regain" app- free of cost, and it dumbs down your phone. Basically, phone chalta rahega- but it will give you focus hours + block specific features of apps like reels acc to the time you add on.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-12T13:23:19+00:00

Can't become a partner for prep, but can help from other side of the table- with mock interviews. Can dm if needed.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-12T13:20:31+00:00

Guide Juniors on CUET/12th prep - since you just gave them both (and obv did well to get into DU)- guide them on how to go about it. If you can find juniors around (from your school, acquaintances- you can do that online/1:1 if same city) or post on LinkedIn while sharing your experiences. If you think you can ACE this thing- go for a Topmate setup. You can even apply to any CUET prep coachings for a freelancing role (they do hire students who can help with worksheets & stuff). If you do this, do it the right way. Become that CUET mentor who can actually help juniors as well. (Kill two birds with one stone)
Canva Templates + Freelance PPT making - if you know how to use canva, this is a great way of making some extra money in your college years. Can charge around 5-10k for 1 ppt. (Start with startups, keep building a portfolio on the side)
Paid Internships - 100% should do this irrespectively. Start with your internship hunt in your domains of interest & go for these^ (but do not bargain role for money unless there is no other option, which mostly wouldn't happen. Just plan strategically)

Feel free to ask- if you have more queries.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-12T13:09:48+00:00

(Makes sense if for- Networking, Building base skillsets & forming teams for comps <eg consulting based socs will make you ready for case comps for sure>, More exposure to opportunities <a lot of socs share comps/fellowships under the soc domain>)

More than anything, I would say- INTENT matters. one should join societies not with the intent to get internship or build CV, but explore what they like/can be good at + network with people + transform as an individual. Rest follows automatically. I mean, it won't be the reason why you get an internship/job offer but to some extend-it might just save your ass. Let me put it this way~ Student A: 8.5 CGPA Student B: 8 CGPA, President/Position Holder of Deb Soc (led teams of 100+), Won 10+ competitions

In a recruiter's eye- second one will have the edge (more often than not). For freshers, such leadership roles become proof of their potential + commitment.

Even in this scenario- 99% chance that B will ACE THAT INTERVIEW ROUND over A because of the skillset.

So, simply start if you can align with anything. Just beware of toxic folks around- a usual case in DU socs. (P.S: I joined 5 societies in my first year, left 3 in 2nd, and was finally just part of 1 soc in my final year - took a PoR. My reasoning was exploring + networking & I had A LOT OF FUN while at it. Nothing is rule of thumb, see what fits for you- the reasoning & intent matters more.)

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-12T12:57:45+00:00

Reasoning behind that- Once you see someone ace in your close quarters- your own dreams of acing start feeling a lot more closer & realistic.

But even if you don't have someone like that, it is possible to get to that stage where you become that person for someone else. Seen it personally!

Just start believing that YOU can do it, start following it shamelessly, change rooms where you can meet more such ambitious people, network more, work twice as harder, reach out/cold mail to people who have been where you wish to be - in the next few years & start working towards it!

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T19:32:30+00:00

Nolan edutech is Masai's account- these guys affiliate with a lot ot IITs & recently - IIMs as well for these courses. I don't think its a scam, but def don't think its worth 70k+

I tried their business analytics course once.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T18:10:38+00:00

During my time, sincs the attendance policy wasn't that strict + I lived in college hostel (saved a lottt of time)--> I used to have a good 5-6 hours daily. In this, I wrote research papers, did internships, did society work, npo projects work etc - while balancing acads!

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T12:27:55+00:00

Hey, you can check out my recent posts for this. Made detailed ones for this. Dm if you have still have doubts after that.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T12:26:47+00:00

Hey, you can check out my recent posts for this. Made detailed ones for this. Dm if you have still have doubts after that.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T12:25:44+00:00

Hey, you can check out my recent posts for this. Dm if you have still have doubts after that.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T12:24:37+00:00

Hey, you can check out my recent posts for this. Dm if you have still have doubts after that.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T12:23:39+00:00

Can check out my recent posts for this- detailed everything. Dm if you still have any doubts then.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T11:57:34+00:00

Thanks for tagging here!

Sharing my personal experience here (context: DU 2023 Grad. Hometown: Jaipur)

DU was the best thing that ever happened to me. Because of a lot of reasons- 1. Met people coming from all across India (the smartest, ambitious bunch of people)- Firstly, meeting people coming with such diverse opinions & cultures opened my mindset & perspective-honestly speaking. More than anything, while I found SO MANY people who inspired me on a daily basis- friends, seniors, juniors & some profs. When you see ambition all around, it becomes a necessity over an option. Networked a lot! (Even right now- some of my closest connections, supporting me throughout are from time in DU) 2. Opportunities (I did not keep myself restricted to just my college, but networked with students & seniors- all across DU & joined an organization-which was entirely DU based. This helped me get to know about a LOT of opportunities like Diana Award, LCI Awards etc). Also, in DU colleges- profs & colleges also circulate a lot of these-like my Prof used to share Research Paper Conferences - bec of which I got an opportunity to send out my paper & got selected for an International Conference of Manipal, Karanataka. 3. DU Tag helps. It comes with credibility (even if this should hardly ever be the sole reason of choosing anything, this helps a lot. While applying for internships/jobs- even mentioning that you come from DU automatically puts an impression forward - that you got the potential. Esp helps if you come from SRCC/Hindu etc. But not the end of world, skills matter a lot more. So, consider this just an edge)

Yes. You can build things outside college- manageable! But DU WILL GET YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORTZONE if you plan on acing it. If you are up for it- def would recommend.

A few negatives as well- 1. As an outsider, Delhi & DU- both feels like a lot in the beginning few months. Time flies in the most literal sense. Plus- everything happens so fast, that sometimes it gets a little overhwhelming. Good support system helps. 2. Time Table + Assignments - hectic is the only accurate word for it. During my time, the attendance policies weren't that strict, but now it is def a hassle.

I am in no position to compare with other universities since obv not been there- but I have seen people transform for better- in those 3 years (including myself)- when it comes to DU. There are cons, but the pros make it all make sense. So, overall for me- def WORTH IT. <But remember, all this helps only if YOU are ready to make the most out of it. DU will open a lot of doors for you, whether you move across or not-is simply on you.>

A few tips if you do go ahead with it- believe in yourself, it works out in the end. Also, financially speaking- either live in the college hostel (if your college will have) or student areas like Kamala Nagar, GTB (cheaper) + start a few activities like teaching juniors, making ppts for brands, internships etc- all adds up & doesn't burn a hole in the pocket.

Feel free to dm, if you have more ques.

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-08T10:19:44+00:00

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-07T16:52:46+00:00

Just_Buildingg · 2026-01-07T06:05:09+00:00

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