5 hobbies to start at University

As a recent graduate, I’ve found that, as many of my friends move back to their hoemtowns and I begin settlinging into my new job, I am spending much more of my freetime leaning back on old hobbies that are helping my adjsut through this time of change. Not only can having solid hobbies help you after graduation, but also in contributing to a healthy lifestyle while at University. These hobbies are all things have I ahve tried while a student in Cardiff and strongly suggest for you.

1. Learning a language

While I have recently stepped back from my language learning goals to learn to drive (an equally beneficial but less afforable venture), learning a language is an affordable, social and fun activity for any Cardiff Unviersity student. Langauages for All offers all students a free opportunity to improve their langauge learning skills. You can attend weekly in-person classes on campus, make new friends and improve your employability skills.

2. Writing and blogging

I use writing and blogging as a method of getting myself out into the world. It is a way of getting my thoughts out into the world while building a portfolio of written content and improving my own skills. Writing has helped me build realtionships around the world, attend a press trip in Barclona and keep a online record of my own travels and experiences. I has also helped my gain confidence in my own abilities throughout my dyslexia journey. Quench Magazine is the student unions’ art and culture magazine and is a great place to get your work published.

3. Journaling or drawing

I often switch between the two, yet this hobby is focused on getting offline and focusing on the details around you. This can be done in written from or from drawing (you don’t need to be particluarly talented in either, this is a practice for your mind and not to share with the world). I find it helpful to write about my five senses (feel, touch, see, taste and smell), drawing is great for focusing on specific details that you may not otheriwse notice, gor example, the texture of a tree or the cloud shaped like an elephant.

4. Hiking

Cardiff is a great place to live to start this hobby, with its easy access to the beauty of the Brecon Becons and the South Wales coastline, so you can enjoy hiking by mountains or the sea. A great way to do this as a student is with the Rambling and Hiking Society, which offers weekend and residential hikes. This is great for exploring some of South Wales, taking an well earned study break and meeting a new group of people.

5. Book club

Finally, being a part of a book club can be a great community to be a part of. You can get started easily with the Student Unions’ book club. This is a fun and accessible way to amke new friends and challenge yourself to read more for pleasure, outside of your course. Reading is a great hobby to take with you into the working world as it offers opportuntiy to wind down and open up your imagination.