It’s easy to get consumed with your schoolwork in college and focus solely on things you need to get done for the semester. Yes, you may have some free weekends to go out with your friends and relax, but having a hobby while you’re in college is super important for your mental health. Picking up a hobby is a great way to de-stress and get your mind off of your academics. Here are some fun hobbies students can start while they’re in college!
15 Fun Hobbies to Start While You’re in College
1. 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. Your college campus probably has a gym where they teach exercise classes. Look up if they have yoga so you don’t have to pay! Otherwise, you can find an affordable yoga class near the school.
2. Tennis
We may not be Serena Williams, but we can always pretend! 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.
3. 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. Bingo is a great game for those who are more competitive but want to have fun at game night because it’s mostly luck. Check your community center for weekly or monthly Bingo nights.
4. Swimming
Take a nice dip into the water when you start going to the pool more often. We’re not saying you need to be the next Michael Phelps, but there is something therapeutic about swimming in the ocean or pool. Make sure you wear sunscreen and be mindful of the tide!
5. Painting
Tap into your creative side with the new hobby of painting. The great thing about learning how to paint is you don’t have to be good to enjoy it! Stop by your local supply store and grab your favorite paints et viola – you’re an artist!
6. Rollerblading/Biking
Strap on your rollerblades or hop on your bike and head to your nearest trail. You can talk and catch up with your friends while riding or just enjoy the great outdoors all on your own. Make sure you’re wearing protective gear!
7. Photography
Whether you have a professional camera or just your phone, photography is a great hobby to have. You can take pictures of nature, yourself, or other people. If you’re more interested in pursuing something in photography, you can eventually turn your hobby into a business while in college! Offer to do graduation photos and event photos for the school!
8. 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!
9. Cooking/Baking
Learning to cook and bake is super fun and very rewarding. Not only are you trying new things but you’re also improving your cooking skills. Find a recipe book and make it a goal to try a new recipe at least once a week. You’ll learn how to cook meat, saute vegetables, and even grill!
10. Dancing
Even if you have two left feet, you can still learn to dance. There may be a local dance group at your community center or at your college gym. You can learn salsa, hip-hop, bachata, samba, ballroom, and more!
11. Language Learning
Learning a new language doesn’t stop at school. It’s a great skill to have and a wonderful hobby to pick up on. Using language learning apps like Duolingo really helps, but you can also reach out to someone who speaks the language to help you converse.
12. Game Night
Weekly game night is usually 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 do board games, card games, and even online games together.
13. Blogging
If you need a creative space as an outlet, blogging is the perfect hobby to start while you’re in college. You can write about anything and everything you want. You can use a pen name or your real name if you want to. After a few years, you can start to monetize your blogs and help other college students and young adults in the same situation as you.
14. 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.
15. 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 might as well learn some things about how it works.
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, gardening club, and even a dancing class! As college students, it’s important you’re learning new things that aren’t just education-related. Hobbies can spark interest, start a lifetime interest, and are great for college students to decompress after a stressful week.
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