Key takeaways
- School is important, but carving out time for a hobby can be great for lowering stress, boosting your mood, and giving your brain a break.
- Starting a hobby offers plenty of benefits, including lowered stress, increased sense of achievement, enhanced creativity, improved mood, and it can even lead to new career paths.
- There’s a hobby for everyone. Explore this list of 50 hobbies for high school and college students, from yoga and swimming to photography, calligraphy, and coding, and see what stands out to you.
It’s easy to get consumed with your classes, assignments, and deadlines. And while your free weekends can definitely help you recharge, having a hobby is just as important for your mental health. A hobby gives you a chance to unwind and keeps school from taking over your whole world. Here are some fun hobbies you can start while in high school, college, or anytime.
50 fun hobbies you can start in college
School doesn’t have to be all work and no play. In fact, starting a hobby can actually help you with your academics by lowering stress and boosting your mood. Ready to find one you love? Check out these 50 fun hobbies and see what piques your interest.
Creative arts hobbies
Looking for a creative outlet or something hands-on to relax your mind? Try one of these artsy hobbies:
1. Calligraphy
All you need is a cheap brush pen and YouTube to start handlettering.
2. Coloring
Grab a coloring book of your choice and use it as a brain break in between classes.
3. Crochet/Knitting
Learn a few stitches and you’ll be ready to make your own blankets, hats, or even sweaters. Plus, it’s great to do while binge-watching your favorite show.
4. Jewelry making
To get started making bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, you’ll just need to pick up a small bead kit and a few supplies.
5. Needlepoint/embroidery
Needlepoint and embroidery kits are soothing, creative outlets that involve a few basic supplies to get started. Beginners will want to start with a simple, beginner-friendly kit.
6. Painting
Grab some acrylic paints, a canvas, and just start! Paint whatever inspires you or look up tutorials on Pinterest or TikTok.
7. Photography
Whether you use a phone or a camera, begin to capture everyday moments, nature, or time with friends. You may even start taking photos for a side hustle by offering to do graduation photos or event photos for the school!
8. Pottery
Find a local studio to take classes and learn how to make your own pots, bowls, or mugs.
9. Scrapbooking
Grab a scrapbook or even a journal to document the little moments in life you want to remember.
10. Watercolor
You’ll need a set of watercolors to get started, and then you can either paint whatever inspires you or purchase a watercolor workbook.
11. Writing
If you like writing (aside from school essays), then you may find enjoyment in starting a journal to process life, write poems, or create short stories.
12. Vlogging
Love to capture and edit videos? You may enjoy filming your days on campus or capturing experiences and then editing them into a short video for others to watch.
Fitness and movement hobbies
If staying active helps you feel your best, check out one of these fitness hobbies to move your body and push your limits:
13. Biking
Whether you are biking around campus, on trails nearby, or just as a quick way to go from class to class, biking is a great way to stay active. Plus, most schools have plenty of bike racks around campus for you to lock up your bike while you’re away.
14. Boxing
Many campus gyms actually offer boxing classes that you can try out for fun! It’s great for burning stress and challenging yourself to learn something new.
15. CrossFit
If you enjoy high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, then look into local CrossFit locations near you. Not only is it a great workout, but chances are, you’ll also find a community of people with like minded interests as you.
16. Hiking
If you attend a school in or near the mountains, grab a buddy and hit the trails. It’s exercise that doesn’t require a gym membership and gives you great nature views.
17. Meditation
Meditating is an easy way to destress quickly. You can download an app on your phone or watch YouTube videos to help you start.
18. Pilates
Whether it’s reformer pilates, mat pilates, or exercising in your dorm room with a mat, pilates is an excellent low-impact exercise for better flexibility and stress relief.
19. Rock Climbing
You don’t have to be near real mountains to start rock climbing! In fact, many school gyms have rock climbing walls for students to use at any time. Find a couple pals, chalk up, and get climbing.
20. Rollerblading
Strap on your rollerblades and head to your nearest trail or park. You can talk and catch up with your friends while riding or just enjoy the great outdoors all on your own.
21. Running
You may be familiar with the physical benefits of running, but what about the mental? Running has been shown to reduce stress, increase energy levels, and even improve sleep.
22. Skateboarding
Want a way to challenge yourself to learn a new skill, and maybe even get yourself to class a little quicker? Try skateboarding. It’s a great way to get movement in—especially if you are someone who isn’t interested in traditional sports or gym routines.
23. Swimming
There is something therapeutic about swimming in the ocean or pool. Not to mention, it’s great exercise. Look for free swim times at your school gym and take advantage of them!
24. Walking
Walking is a great way to stay active—and even squeeze in time for yourself while doing it. While you’re walking, listen to your favorite podcast or audiobook, catch up with a friend, or head for your favorite coffee shop.
25. Weightlifting
Want to try weightlifting? Most campus gyms typically have free weights and machines to help you get started. You can use an app for workouts or find videos on social media.
26. Yoga
Relieve some stress and learn new yoga poses when you start your yoga journey! Yoga is great for your body and mind, giving you the best of both worlds.
Games and recreational hobbies
Want to participate in a hobby that’s social and easy to do with others? Try one of these:
27. Bingo
Bingo isn’t just for the elderly! With just a few dollars, you can buy your way into a game of Bingo with your friends and enjoy a fun night out.
28. Book club
Is there a book you’ve been wanting to read? Take it to the next level by getting some friends together once a month to discuss it.
29. Frisbee golf
Popular among many college students, frisbee golf—often called frolf—is an easy way to get outside, spend time with friends, and engage in some friendly competition.
30. Game night
Weekly game night is often the place to be when you’re in college. You can make it as big or small as you’d like and learn a variety of fun games. You can play board games, card games, and even online games together.
31. Intramural sports
If you have a competitive spirit, check out what intramural sports—like Spikeball, volleyball, and basketball—are available to you through your school.
32. Mahjong
Looking for a social game that’s great to play with friends and gives you a break from your phone? Pick up some mahjong tiles, watch a couple tutorial videos, and get addicted for hours.
33. Pickleball
Pickleball is another social game that is easy to learn and provides great health benefits. You can play one-on-one or in doubles.
34. Tennis
Tennis is a fun and cheap hobby to have for all college students. The rules of the game are easy to learn and you only need one other person to play with.
Skill-building hobbies
Sometimes students are looking for ways to expand their abilities outside the classroom. If you’re looking to grow in a skill, try one of these:
35. Blogging
With blogging, you can write about anything and everything you want. You can use a pen name or your real name if you want to. With time, you may be able to start monetizing your blogs and help other college students and young adults in the same situation as you.
36. Coding
Can coding be a hobby? Of course, it can! If you’re good at coding and want to expand your skill set, consider taking up this hobby. Even if you’re not a computer science major, it’s still a great skill to learn. The entire world is on the internet now, so you might as well learn some things about how it works!
37. Content creation
Love consuming content and think you might be good at being on the other side of it? If you have something you want to share, start filming it and press upload. You never know—your content might just take off.
38. Graphic design
You don’t have to be a graphic design major to enjoy this hobby. Use sites like Canva or programs like Adobe to unleash your creativity. Plus, there are plenty of online videos you can watch for helpful tutorials.
39. Language learning
Learning a new language doesn’t stop at school. It’s a great skill to have and a wonderful hobby to try out. Using language learning apps like Duolingo really helps, but you can also reach out to someone who speaks the language to help you practice conversing.
40. Learn an instrument
Piano, violin, guitar, saxophone—the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing an instrument to learn. Consider taking a class or reserving a space to practice to ensure you don’t disturb people in your dorm or apartment area.
41. Logic puzzles
Taking five to 10 minutes to challenge your brain through puzzles like Sudoku, Wordle, or crosswords is a simple and fun way to keep your brain sharp and stop you from mindlessly scrolling.
42. Stock market investing
It might not sound like the most exciting hobby to everyone, but learning how the stock market works can teach you helpful money skills and may even help set you up for financial success.
43. Volunteering
If you love getting involved in your local community and helping others, then look for opportunities to volunteer and make a difference.
Relaxing hobbies
Classes can be mentally draining, but that doesn’t mean you have to come home and scroll on your phone all night to feel relaxed. Try one of these peaceful hobbies instead:
44. Cooking/baking
Try new things and improve your cooking and baking skills. Find a recipe book and make it a goal to try a new recipe at least once a week. You can learn how to cook meat, sauté vegetables, and even grill!
45. Creating Pinterest boards
If you’re looking for an easy and aesthetic way to save outfit inspo, decor ideas, or recipes, grab your laptop or tablet, turn on your favorite show, and start pinning away.
46. Curating music playlists
For all the music lovers out there, creating playlists for every mood and occasion can be a calming and fun way to unwind. You may find it to be a peaceful pastime to create the perfect music playlists for every mood and occasion.
47. Gardening
Get your hands dirty with your new gardening hobby. Gardening is low-stress on your body which means it’s a great option for those who can’t do too much movement. You’ll be outside and in the presence of birds chirping—it’s a dream!
48. Puzzles
If you’re looking for a low-stress hobby, pick up a puzzle to work on while you’re hanging out with friends or watching your favorite show. It gives you a break from school while still exercising your brain.
49. Reading for fun
Whether you’re into mysteries, romance, or historical fiction, take time for yourself and read a book that’s not on the syllabus.
50. Thrifting
If you enjoy hunting down clothing or a decor piece that you can’t find anywhere else, then you may enjoy thrifting at local stores and Goodwills in your area. It’s affordable and something fun you can do alone or with friends.
Benefits of starting a hobby
Hobbies are great because they give you time to do something just for you. They’re fun and something that is completely your choice. Plus, they come with some pretty great benefits:
- Lowers stress: Focusing on a hobby gives your mind a break from other daily stressors and allows you to be present with something you genuinely enjoy.
- Increases sense of achievement: The better you become at a hobby, the more you feel a sense of achievement that boosts your confidence and motivation.
- Opens doors to possible careers: Believe it or not, a hobby can turn into something bigger. That’s right, a hobby you love has the possibility to turn into something full time! Maybe you start making pottery for fun, but then your friends notice your mugs. Suddenly, you’ve got your own Etsy business and are selling mugs all over the world!
- Enhances creativity: Trying new things challenges your brain in fresh ways and helps you think more creatively.
- Improves mood: When you participate in something you enjoy, your brain releases endorphins that increase your happiness and energy.
Find a hobby you love
Before you start spending money on your new hobbies, check if your college has clubs that cater to the hobby you want to start. There may be a coding club, a gardening club, or even a dancing class! As college students, it’s helpful to try learning new things that aren’t just education-related. Hobbies can spark a new interest that could last a lifetime, and if nothing else, are great for decompressing after a stressful week.
Find more great ways to crush your high school and college years! Head over to the Student Hub for tips, free tools, and resources to help you get it done.
