By: Lylah Tran
“Leisure activities can immediately improve subjective well-being by eliciting positive emotions, which may contribute to long-term stress-coping strategies,” Human Performance Research Institute Yoshitaka Iwasaki explains. Engaging in hobbies activates the brain’s reward system, potentially reducing stress and enhancing cognitive flexibility (Dutcher 2023). However, individual experiences may vary.
University students often juggle coursework, jobs, and extracurriculars, making it difficult to prioritize personal interests. However, hobbies can offer creative, social, and skill-building opportunities that may support well-being and career readiness. Whether practiced independently or within student groups, these activities can be tailored to individual schedules, resources, and preferences.
For those seeking affordable and expressive outlets, certain hobbies may promote relaxation and cognitive benefits. Doodle and bullet journaling integrate creativity with organization, which can aid memory retention and stress management. Thrift flipping encourages resourcefulness by repurposing secondhand clothing, and engaging problem-solving skills. Writing—through short stories, poetry, or journaling—provides a flexible means of self-expression, while casual photography fosters mindfulness by encouraging awareness of one’s surroundings. Sharing these creative works, whether through social media or campus events, can also strengthen social connections.
Social hobbies further contribute to a sense of belonging, which some research associates with psychological well-being. Board games and card nights encourage strategic thinking and teamwork, while communal activities such as potluck dinners create shared experiences that reinforce interpersonal bonds. Trivia nights and open mic events offer opportunities for self-expression in a low-pressure setting, potentially building confidence in social interactions.
Similarly, movement-based hobbies like dance and yoga combine physical activity with stress relief, engaging the body’s natural endorphin release. Some of these are encouraged through on-campus activities, clubs, and community spaces within the dorm buildings. The weekly newsletters and posters in the halls also help document and keep track of such information.
As mental health awareness continues to grow, students may explore hobbies that promote relaxation and mindfulness. Practices such as guided meditation have been linked to stress regulation, while activities like embroidery and crocheting involve repetitive motions that can induce a calming, meditative state–regulating stress responses (Shen et al., 2020).
Campus walks paired with podcast listening integrate movement with intellectual engagement, offering a structured way to decompress. For those who enjoy hands-on activities, meal prepping and simple cooking encourage both financial planning and executive functioning.
Digital hobbies also present creative and career-oriented opportunities. Video editing and vlogging allow students to document experiences while developing technical skills and building a personal website or portfolio can support professional growth. Gaming, another popular pastime, has been linked to cognitive benefits such as enhanced problem-solving and flexibility, while cooperative and casual games provide opportunities for social engagement and stress relief.
While hobbies entertain, they may also support mental health, skill development, and social well-being. The impacts depend on individual interests, availability, and lifestyle balance. By exploring activities that align with personal needs, students can integrate hobbies in a way that is both enjoyable and sustainable.
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