Finding joy in every day, with or without your friends
One of the many advantages of going to a large school like UW-Madison is that there seems to be a student organization for every interest. Whether that interest is a sport, painting, politics or even cheese, there’s a group of students on campus that is involved in a club revolving around that particular hobby. While many people choose to join clubs related to their major, there are also those who join clubs just because they sound interesting. My major, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, happens to be one of my biggest hobbies. I’ve loved the ocean and weather ever since I was a kid. But I never wanted my job to be my only passion. I took college as an opportunity to find out what else interested me.
I joined Her Campus my freshman year because I had always thought writing for the fun of writing instead of for a class assignment would be something I’d enjoy. While I enjoy writing, I’ve also discovered that editing others’ work is a hobby I enjoy even more. I get to combine my love of learning and helping others with the creative outlet I wanted so badly. Since my work and classes are focused on science and data, having hobbies that activate the more creative side of my brain and personality help me stay balanced. However, once I graduate this May, I won’t have this organization as a form of creative expression anymore. I know a lot of seniors who are in a similar situation as me, feeling as though they will lose access to their favorite activities once they graduate from their college student organizations. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
Learning to love your own company and finding solo activities you enjoy can immensely improve your overall happiness. It can be empowering to discover solo activities that don’t rely on other people’s schedules, since you can prevent boredom even when your friends are on different schedules than you. One of my favorite solo hobbies is reading. Not only does it help me relax before bed, but it is also a great alternative to being on my phone. College classes and jobs rely so heavily on being on your computer all day, which can be straining on your eyes. Having a book to read that I am invested in is just as engaging to me as my favorite TV shows. While reading itself is typically an individual activity, it also gives you access to a larger community of book lovers. I love getting my friends to read my favorite books so I have someone I can talk about reading with, like an informal club. If reading isn’t your thing, my other favorite solo hobbies include baking, running, walking and listening to music and podcasts.
This isn’t to say that you should isolate yourself. It’s also important to find hobbies you can do with friends. Oftentimes in college, it can feel like the majority of activities with your friends involve going out to bars or restaurants. But having alternative activities to do can help spice up your weekends. My roommates and I enjoyed painting nights, where we bought cheap canvases and painted while catching up with each other about our weeks. When it gets warmer out, my friends and I also enjoy playing tennis together and going window-shopping around Madison. Both activities allow us to get fresh air and move, which feels especially nice after a day of working inside. Some other activities to do with friends include ice skating, board games or going to the movie theater.
An honorable mention goes to attending sporting events. I love sports, so this is one of my favorite activities to do with friends, but I know not everyone feels the same. If you aren’t a huge sports fan, I recommend you try going to a baseball game, either a major league or minor league game. Tickets are much cheaper for baseball games than most other sports, and it’s easy to know what’s happening without having to understand all the rules. I’ve also found that baseball games are a great social outing with friends and family, since you can talk throughout the game without feeling like you’re bothering surrounding fans or missing out on crucial plays.
Being creative and having fun are so important. It can be easy to get caught up in the work culture of always feeling the need to get ahead. But it is equally as important to relax and do things that bring your joy, just for the sake of feeling happy. Take the time to try new things and see what feels exciting. Don’t be afraid to switch between hobbies either. I used to feel that I couldn’t enjoy an activity like tennis or painting because I wasn’t good at them. But hobbies are designed to be fun! It doesn’t matter your skill level as long as you are enjoying yourself. Challenge yourself to try something new, and see what hobbies you can incorporate into your life by yourself or with friends.