Looking to boost your resume or fill some empty time? I’ve got the best 15 hobbies to pick up in college that will keep you busy and productive!
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Whether you are in high school or college, you are bound to have some free time. Fill that time with something productive like these 15 new hobbies.
Some will teach you something new and some will just be something to do. Plus, boost your resume with a few of these!
This post is all about hobbies to pick up in college!
Why do you need hobbies?
The reasons for having hobbies are endless! If you want to add something new to your resume, learn a new skill, fill your free afternoons, or anything in between, a new hobby is exactly what you need.
Depending on the hobbies you pick up in college, there are a million benefits.
Not only are you spending your time productively (aka not wasting your day on your phone), but your hobby can also help your mental health and mindset too.
Now that you know why, let’s get to all the hobbies you NEED to pick up in college.
Resume boosting hobbies
1. blogging
Blogging is an AMAZING hobby to start to boost your resume and learn more about something you love. I may be a little bias, but I absolutely LOVE this hobby.
You can put as much or as little time and effort into blogging as you want. The more time, the more successful you can be.
Blogging is also amazing because it gives you the opportunity to turn your hobby into a business and make some money if that is something you may be interested in in the future.
2. podcasting
Similar to blogging, podcasting is another option if you aren’t into too much writing. A podcast is a spoken platform, where a blog is a written one.
If you are more of a talker, create a podcast about whatever interests you! Like a blog, you can also turn this into a business down the road if you want.
3. writing
You can also just write!
Whether it’s on online platforms or in a journal, write whatever you want and whatever you can.
This is more straightforward than a blog, because you have the freedom to basically write whatever you want, while a blog is more strategic.
4. volunteering
Another great resume booster is to spend some time volunteering. Try to find something that truly interests you so the time goes by quickly. Plus, you will get volunteer hours out of this, which are always useful.
It can be a little hard to find volunteer opportunities, but use your school as a resource and research, research, research! There is something out there for everyone, you just have to take the time to find it!
5. Learn a language
These days, there are dozens of FREE online apps and platforms that will teach you a new language. This could be extremely useless when looking for a job and definitely sets you apart from others.
Whether you try Spanish, French, or even sign language, pick one and stick with it!
This definitely takes a decent amount of time and is a commitment, but the payout is amazing.
6. coding
Another hobby to pick up in college that is becoming more and more useful these days is coding.
In this day and age, nearly every industry needs people who know how to code. So regardless of your field, this skill makes you extremely necessary in the workforce.
Like learning a language, there are dozens of platforms online that teach beginners how to code.
Fun hobbies for college students
7. themed nights with friends
This isn’t so much a hobby as an activity, but I figured it was close enough!
Get your friends together one night and have a fun themed night! Whether it’s a themed food night, game night, or movie night, do whatever sounds fun.
8. reading
Of all the hobbies in my life, reading has to be my favorite. Go and pick up a new book and get lost in it! If you need some book recs, click here!
When I tell you you are going to be SOOOO happy you did, I am not exaggerating.
Reading is one of the best hobbies because you can have fun and relax, while still being “productive.” Once you read enough, reading books starts to feel like watching tv and movies. But, reading for two hours makes you feel so much more productive than if you had watched tv for two hours.
And the only thing better than reading books is talking about books (can you tell I’m obsessed with reading?!). See if there is a book club you can join in your school/community to get more involved.
I also recommend using Goodreads to find book recommendations and track your reading.
9. cooking/baking
If you have access to a kitchen and ingredients, cooking and baking are great hobbies to start! Not only is it extremely stress-relieving, but you get some delicious food or desserts out of it too.
Need some recipe ideas to get your hobby started? Try these!
- 36 Easy Microwave Recipes for College Students
- Five in One Cookie Dough Base Recipe
- Pasta Salad Recipe Perfect For Meal Prep
10. photography
Regardless of where you are, there’s got to be something you can take a photo of. Whether it’s a house, a flower, or another person, anything works!
Get a camera or your phone and start taking pictures of anything and everything.
11. art
Even if you consider yourself “artistically challenged,” try taking up an artistic hobby. Not only will you get better at art, but it will be fun too!
You can try drawing, painting, or anything in between. For the beginners out there, you can even try a paint-by-the-numbers kit to get yourself started.
These are so relaxing and perfect for beginner artists.
12. meditation
Take up a hobby for meditation and mindfulness! This is going to be so beneficial for your life and mental health.
13. journaling
Likewise, one way to be more mindful is to journal! I could go on and on about this, but to keep this short, here’s an article where I go over exactly how to start (and keep) a journal from start to finish: Beginner, Crash Course Guide to Start A Journal
Active hobbies
14. sports
If you are looking for something active to do, try out a new sport! There are literally endless possibilities depending on what you are interested in and your skill level.
Check with your school about what they offer as far as sports and levels. Then, just pick whatever sounds fun and give it a try.
You’ll have a lot of fun and get good exercise.
15. yoga
For a more peaceful form of exercise, try yoga!
Whether you are a beginner or advanced, this is the perfect hobby for anyone.
This post was all about the best hobbies to pick up in college!
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