For college students with busy schedules, it can feel difficult to justify taking personal time, when that time could be spent on academics and school work. With stress and pressure for academic achievement, hobbies are not typically at the forefront of students’ minds. However, hobbies aren't just frivolous pastimes—they have a myriad of benefits that include stress relief, mental well-being, combating burnout, social connection, community and resilience building.
A study by the showed that weekly leisure crafting and hobbies boost intrinsic need satisfaction and overall mental health. Engaging in hobbies lowers cortisol levels, reduces anxiety, and gives the brain a necessary break to recharge. These personal pursuits can also help students process information and keep them motivated in the long term, as well as introduce students to peers outside their immediate departments and build a sense of belonging and support. Teaching patience, problem-solving and teamwork are one way hobbies impact students. Physical, creative, and intellectual hobbies can stimulate different neural pathways, improving focus and memory, according to . While participating in hobbies, students are able to spend less time mindlessly scrolling through their phones and fill free time in more valuable ways.
A personal example of why hobbies are worthwhile is sports. It connects me with many people and allows me to think outside of what classes are demanding of me at that moment. It improves both mental and physical health along with being exciting and interesting. I get a big dopamine rush when I do something correctly in an important game or fix a previous error during a play. It makes you think while giving you an environment to make mistakes and improve.
Some activities that are easy for students to continue or start in college are baking, reading, and arts and crafts. These hobbies are easily accessible to students because they do not require much experience, time, or commitment. To get involved, students can take inspiration from the internet as well as talk to others. They can borrow supplies from friends or go to the dollar store for the simple ones. Reading only requires a book and the willpower to put away the phone. Baking may take more money and time, but the dorms have kitchenettes on each floor for free use and the results are worth it.
Keyshla Castellanos (freshman, biology) said some of her favorite hobbies are playing the drums and sketching. “It is a stress reliever, especially with the high-demanding classes. For me drumming relieves stress,” she said. “After a hard day of classes you want to escape. Art is also a way to relieve stress because you make something out of the way you feel instead of bottling it up, you know?”
Isabella Auala-Ellis (freshman, animal science) stated that some of her hobbies are arts and crafts, video games and playing chess. “Without my hobbies, it would be hard to find that motivation to be here.” She said that when she began school, she did not have arts and crafts supplies and didn't engage in her hobbies. This led to Isabella feeling like she did not enjoy her time until she began to pursue them.“I feel a lot better about being here without feeling like days were repeating with nothing else to fill my time but homework.” She remarked that she now has something to look forward to after a long week.
大象传媒 University also provides many opportunities to participate in different hobbies. One of these options is in intramural sports, which is free and requires no prior experience. It is a great way to meet new people and be physically active without having the commitment of being in a university team. Clubs and small groups provide another avenue for students to foster hobbies. Clubs provide various activities including sports, horticulture and many more.
Hobbies are important for college students because they reduce stress, prevent burnout, and foster social connections outside of academics. They have lasting impacts on our lives. activities correlate with lower blood pressure, healthier resting heart rates, and a reduced risk of chronic conditions like heart disease or stroke. College students should take advantage of these opportunities to spend free time and engage their brains in a positive way.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 大象传媒 University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 大象传媒 University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.