Graduation is only a few weeks away (or even days) for many of us. And although we’re excited to start jobs, travel, spend time with family and friends, and give ourselves a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come, there’s also a sense of “now what?” In college, it was easy to fill our schedules: there were classes to attend, clubs to try, nights to go out, and friends to spend time with. But post-grad life will most likely come with free time that’s not as easy to fill up. That’s why trying out new hobbies post-grad is a must. Whether you’re soul-searching for hobbies to uncover passions or just something to do on a Tuesday because trivia at a college bar is no longer an option, here are eight hobbies to try this summer.
something sporty
Fitness Classes
Now, although this hobby might be a bit cliché, virtually any gym offers fitness classes for a reason. The best part about finding a local gym that offers fitness classes post-grad is the opportunity to meet people who love something you love. Making friends in this setting is as easy as asking them to grab a bite with you after a class or complimenting them on a workout set.
Whether it’s something rejuvenating like a yoga class or intense like hydrox, you get to choose how you want to move your body. While going to the gym for a solo workout can be fun, it’s not for everyone. Movement isn’t supposed to be defined, and that’s the beauty of it. Figure out what works for you by trying different fitness classes until one clicks, or even going to a number of gyms before you choose the best fit.
Hiking
Now I know not everyone likes the outdoors, but there is something so refreshing about taking a moment to appreciate nature. It forces you to slow down and ground yourself (physically and metaphorically) in the things that truly matter.
Depending on the state you live in, there will be a variety of options to get outdoors. While Connecticut has many trails, hikes, and waterfalls, even cities like New York City or Boston have green spaces to relax in.
It’s important to remember hiking doesn’t mean 12 miles up a hill in the blaring sun. It doesn’t even need to be a few miles to be considered a hike. Like all movement, you get to define what hiking or getting outdoors means to you. If you prefer to find waterfalls or watering holes to swim at or find a nice field to picnic in, that’s totally okay, too. The main point is to get some fresh air, slow down your daily life, and explore a new place — whatever that looks like to you.
something crafty
Bedazzling + Glitter Art
Now I’m sure most of us have seen the TikToks of people bedazzling everything from lip gloss to medication. While this hobby isn’t the most intellectually stimulating, everyone could use a mindless activity to do. Plus, what and how you want to bedazzle your items is entirely up to you.
I also think great options for those unsure of what to bedazzle are bedazzling or glitter art kits. With these, you get a canvas with an outline as well as packaged beads. You just follow the outline to create a beautiful piece to hang up on your wall or lie resting on your nightstand or desk. You could even bring the finished product to work, adding some creativity and happiness to any boring cubicle or office space.
Memory Boxes
I also wanted to mention memory boxes, because these are perfect for the past, present, or future. All you need is a box, crate, or container and paint, flowers, or any other items to decorate it with. This is a perfect craft for creativity, as you can design your memory box however you’d like. Also, creating one with friends, especially college friends who are also graduating, can be a bittersweet craft night activity.
The best part is how you want to use the memory box. You could use it as a keepsake of college, storing pictures, letters, and anything else that reminds you of the last few years. You could also focus on the present and put objects from any travels or post-grad jobs this summer. Lastly, you could create a memory box with the future in mind, adding things to it throughout your 20s to encapsulate a decade of growth and new beginnings.
something resourceful
Learn How To Do Your Own Nails
With the job market being almost as bad as the post-recession job market was over 15 years ago, not all of us will have our dream jobs right out of college. And that’s totally okay. Instead of sacrificing our lifestyle because we may spend months landing a job we want, we can make it budget-friendly. For example, a hobby I hope to pick up is learning how to do my own nails.
There are hundreds of kits on Amazon with everything from acrylic to gel nail supplies. Plus, with so many tutorials all over TikTok and Instagram, learning how to do nails has never been easier. I’ve heard starting simple is a must, as is having the patience to mess up the first few (or dozen) times. But once you’ve mastered doing your nails, it becomes a fun and relaxing hobby that will save you lots of money.
Also, if you fall in love with doing your nails, you don’t have to stop at only your nails. You can start doing your friends’ nails or even turn it into a side hustle, which brings me to my next point.
Learn a Side Hustle
Another great hobby to pick up, especially in this economy and job market, is a side hustle. While the idea of a side hustle can seem daunting, it’s really anything that brings you extra money besides your main job. It could look like digital marketing, social media, dog walking, or babysitting.
Side hustles can even give you connections or experiences for a career path you’re looking at. For example, if you want to work with children or in marketing, getting into babysitting or digital marketing provides you with extra money and experiences to put on your resume. Plus, there’s no pressure with side hustles. Unlike a 9-5 job that’s a bit harder to quit, a side hustle has a no-strings-attached approach, so if you don’t like one that you pick up, you can easily leave it behind and try a new one.
something sustainable
Thrifting & Antiquing
Two fun hobbies that have a variety of benefits, including being sustainable and budget-friendly, are thrifting and antiquing. Because work clothes and getting an apartment or house post-grad are both expensive, thrifting professional attire and antiquing items for a new place can save you lots of money. Also, you can figure out your style and interior design musts when you have more of a variety to choose from. Instead of a blazer or home decor piece that everyone has, you’ll have items that no one else has.
It’s never too late to reinvent your style or approach to home decor, either. Thrifting and antiquing are the perfect opportunities to do some identity-searching after graduation. Plus, a lot of thrift stores are tied to charities, and antique stores are often smaller family businesses. Instead of supporting corporate giants, you can give back to your community and families while simultaneously finding unique treasures and wardrobe staples.
Gardening
The last hobby on this list, like hiking, is not for everyone. But gardening has many different subcultures within it. Whether you love flowers, plants, or fresh fruits and vegetables, there’s most likely something that you would be interested in growing or harvesting yourself. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood are gardening and picking raspberries and blueberries with my grandparents.
In this way, gardening is also a hobby that can be passed down through generations. A little different from hiking, gardening can also be a hobby that’s accessible at almost any age. My grandmother, who still gardens at almost 90 (don’t tell her I told you her age), has inspired me to add gardening to my hobbies-to-try list.
There you have it: eight hobbies to try as you embark out into the world. A theme among all of these is choice. Now that we’re entering post-grad, there are so many choices we can make. After the chaos of college, one of the best choices you can make for yourself post-grad is to focus on yourself and find what makes you happy.
Whether you want to bedazzle every lip gloss you own or create your very own garden to tend to, fill your free time with activities that make you grateful.
So happy choosing! And happy graduation! May you celebrate how far you’ve come and remember that graduation is not the end — it’s just the beginning.