How to Keep Your Hobbies Alive in College
My hobbies “live” in my living room. When life gets hectic, I find myself walking sullenly past my two guitars and piano every day. The strings waiting patiently to be tuned, and the piano keys missing the gentle pressure of my fingers.
This used to be a normal day after classes for me. I didn’t realize I had forgotten the passions that put me on this track until summer break, when my ears were blessed by live instruments and vocals.
Soon, I became determined to let my hobbies, which had decayed over time, live again. I just had one problem: the millions of assignments on my to-do list.
Reignite Your Passion
With time, we often forget how much our hobbies mattered when they topped our lists, instead of the next fifteen-page essay due at 11:59 p.m. It took a live jazz band performing in a courtyard for me to realize how much music truly meant to me. Seeing the musicians’ chemistry with each other reminded me of how much I loved playing with others.
It’s easy to say that time management is necessary for balancing hobbies and assignments, but it’s a lot harder to commit to it. It becomes a thousand times easier to practice when you remember why you’re making time for everything.
I implore you: take a moment to remember what once mattered to you. Why did you like to draw? What about swimming makes you feel good?
Make the Commitment
Realizing I had to get my hands on my guitar strings again, I sought out a club on campus. I chose the Musical Therapy Club as a lover of both music and therapy. We didn’t just jam together; we volunteered at nursing homes and cafes to increase the community’s quality of life.
This also aligned with my hobbies and future healthcare career, though my impact differed from that of a nurse. Still, I got to do something I love in tandem with my goals.
Joining this club also meant commitment. To ensure quality performances, I had to practice every Thursday evening. I couldn’t spontaneously skip out on it, as I often did with my assignments.
I committed to a mission with other people, and it was my goal to stick with it. Joining a club ties you to your hobby. When you work and socialize with others, your passions feel more fulfilling with that support system around you.
Turn Hobbies into Rewards
I used to pity myself for “abandoning” my hobbies for college assignments. Even after studying, I didn’t find picking up my guitar rewarding because I felt ashamed for leaving it alone. Eventually, I changed my mindset.
Rather than feeling ashamed, I understood that academics were a vital priority. I was only trying to take care of my future.
I began to see my hobbies as a reward after a good study session. I became more motivated to finish assignments so I could switch from “study sesh” to “jam sesh.”
If there is one thing to take away, it’s that growing out of hobbies over time is natural. It’s incredibly easy to get lost in jobs, assignments, and daily struggles.
However, there’s no shame in trying to balance it all. I once pitied those untuned strings, but now I see things more positively. My guitar strings aren’t abandoned; they’re just waiting for my magic touch!
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