What are the options you have outside Google Adsense?
- Affiliate marketing. Read the account of @Ogechi_Daniel_Ndukwe
2… Consulting services. If you are good at what you do, you can offer consulting or speaking engagement. (Shameless plug: SpokenTwice has helped me connect with clients. I was surprised when someone - a Senior Special Assistant/Adviser to the current Vice President sent me an email 
3…Sell a product Turn your idea to ebook to sell or sell something sha
The reality is that if you are not building a highly trafficked website, monetizing via Google Adsense is not smart enough.
A quick tip: Whatever you do, make sure you build your email, list. It is the lifeblood of business.