Hobbies You Should Take Up In College/University

Getting into college/university can be an overwhelming experience. Suddenly, you’re bogged down with many things to study, and you will also be exposing yourself to new faces, clubs, activities and many more. However, once you get past this initial introduction to university, your life will calm down and sooner or later, you’ll start having a lot of extra time to spend. You will soon get bored, and while living on a budget, hitting the cinemas, bowling centres, outdoor activities and going on vacations will suddenly seem like a bad idea because of the high costs.
 

So what can you do?
 

Actually, there are many different hobbies that you can take up at very low cost (if you need to pay for anything at all). Here are some ideas for cheap hobbies that you can, and should, take up while in college/university:
 

1 – Reading
 

It’s not a myth that people can read as a hobby, and not just to score the high grades. Chances are, your university will have a library that offers a lot of reading materials to choose from – newspapers, magazines, journals, and a wide assortment of both fiction and non-fiction books. Reading is free if you go to the library, and it’s a great way to spend some solitary time alone to enjoy your company. Plus it will definitely improve your language skills!
 

2 – Writing
 

Writing comes in many different shapes and forms. You can write stories, articles, blog posts, poems, lyrics – writing is a great way to express yourself, and it has been proven to be a great way to release tension and stress caused by studying. If you join an online community, or start to gather many followers on your blog, writing can be a fulfilling experience to express your thoughts and emotions.
 

3 – Photography

Today, chances are, you probably own more than one camera. What with your smartphone and digital camera, it’s more than enough for you to take up photography as a hobby. Photography is more than simply directing your lenses and clicking. There are tips and techniques to take beautiful pictures, and the good news is that these techniques can be learned for free, online and in photography books and magazines. If you are able to take good enough pictures, this can also be a way to generate some side-income, especially if you can get some commissions to take pictures. There are also some websites that allow you to sell your pictures as stock photos which you can use.
 

4 – Arts and Craft
 

If you’re looking for something to kill time, arts and craft is one of the best ways to do this. From knitting, to paper mache, to painting, scrapbooking, drawing, quilting and many more, diving into arts and craft is a great way to get in touch with your creative side and express yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re not particularly artistic – this is a great way to release yourself and be free. Who knows, you may also be able to sell your work!
 

5 – Walking/Hiking/Cycling
 

A great way to enjoy yourself outdoors at cheap prices is to go walking, hiking or cycling. Usually, this can be done at very minimal cost (if there’s any cost involved at all). Find out some of the best places near your university and go and take a walk. Enjoy the scenery. Looking at the green scenery will mentally soothe you, and it’s a great way to take a break from the stress of your studies. While you’re at it, you can also involve yourself in watching birds or insects, which can also be another hobby.
 

6 – Music
 

There are some who could spend hours just immersing themselves in their favourite music, and you can make this your hobby, too. Music is known to be able to connect to your soul emotionally, which is great if you want to relax or take a break. You can also take up a class to learn an instrument. There should be free clubs you can join in university, or you can pay for your classes if you can afford the fees.
 

7 – Foreign Language
 

Learning a foreign language can be a great hobby, especially if you have friends who are doing the same. Plus, it’ll definitely look good on your resume if you have mastered a foreign language. 8 – Volunteering If you open your eyes and pay closer attention to the unfortunate people around you, you’d probably find that there are a lot of volunteer jobs out there. If you want to contribute back to society productively in the extra time you have, this will definitely be a fulfilling option to take. Plus, volunteering will equip you with some great skills and experience!
 

9 – Extra classes
 

What? Extra classes on top of those you’re struggling with already? While it’s true you shouldn’t abandon your lessons to take up extra classes, it’s also undeniable that there are a lot of free lectures that are available online. There are many classes that are beneficial for students to study, like psychology and presentation skills which will extend your knowledge and enhance your soft skills.
 

10 – Sports
 

Last but not least, you can take up a sport as a new hobby. Outdoor sports will keep you fit and healthy and refreshed, while indoor sports can give you the mental stimulation you might need. Either way, taking up sports is always a great way to keep you fit and healthy and it can also kill your time well.
 

Of course, there are many options to choose from when taking up a new hobby, and many of them are cheap or do not require any money. So take up a new hobby today, and transform yourself with new skills and experience!
 

Do you have any particular hobby that you enjoy doing? Share them with us!