How hobbies help students recharge and thrive
By Sara Silverman
May 18, 2025
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Hobbies help students focus on something important and give their minds a break from their usual tasks. Whether it’s working out, reading, sewing, playing a sport or painting, hobbies encourage students to do something productive and exciting during their free time.
Dr. Mariso G. Franco, a New York Times best-selling author and a professor at the University of Maryland, explains how hobbies help with connection, purpose and mental health.
“I [think] that they give people a sense of purpose and expand their sense of identity beyond maybe work, and that leads to overall meaning and fulfillment,” Franco said.
As an expert on connection, Franco explains how hobbies can help maintain and even grow friendships. She discusses that a shared interest can encourage people to meet up routinely and not only actively do something they enjoy but also be around other people.
“When it comes to friendship…you meet someone and you don't really have a reason to reach out and that can really be a deterrent to people,” Franco said. “But if you're able to say, ‘I want to go back to that salsa class, do you want to go?’ It gives you a reason to continue the connection.”
Hobbies are also things that are completely customizable for every individual. Every person has the freedom to gravitate towards whatever hobby seems interesting or enjoyable to them.
Emma Zaslavsky, a sophomore communications major at UMD, was drawn towards sewing at a young age and has stuck with it ever since. She joined a fashion school during elementary school and eventually became a teacher there.
“It's something that I'm proud of because not a lot of people know how to design and sew, so it's really special,” Zaslavsky said. “Whenever I need an outlet, I use sewing.”
Zaslavasky was also able to find people that share her hobby and connect with them on a different level: “At the fashion school, there was such a great community.”
Hobbies have also boosted individuals' moods and increased their productivity. Jonah Schneider, a junior finance major, finds joy in working out. He notices a shift in his mood when he does not set aside time for the gym.
“I feel like when I don't go for a while, my mood changes and I get more lazy, but when I keep a consistent schedule with it, I feel like I can be very productive,” Schneider said.
Along with working out, he loves cooking– a passion that began when he watched his mom in the kitchen as a child. Eventually, she passed on her knowledge to him, and now he creates flavourful meals for himself, his friends and his family.
“Especially in the kitchen, there's really no rules, so you kind of just can create whatever you want with your vision so it allows me to have some freedom and express my creativity,” Schneider said.
Both hobbies provide him with a sense of purpose and self-expression, helping him maintain balance in his busy and demanding schedule.
Hobbies can introduce people to a community that becomes meaningful and important, or it might simply offer a personal escape to turn to in stressful times. Whether hobbies are shared with loved ones or enjoyed alone, they can be a safe space to think creatively, alleviate stress or connect with others.
“It's very warming and rewarding to have something that you love to do and that you can continue doing no matter what,” Schneider said.
Dr. Mariso G. Franco, a New York Times best-selling author and a professor at the University of Maryland, explains how hobbies help with connection, purpose and mental health.
“I [think] that they give people a sense of purpose and expand their sense of identity beyond maybe work, and that leads to overall meaning and fulfillment,” Franco said.
As an expert on connection, Franco explains how hobbies can help maintain and even grow friendships. She discusses that a shared interest can encourage people to meet up routinely and not only actively do something they enjoy but also be around other people.
“When it comes to friendship…you meet someone and you don't really have a reason to reach out and that can really be a deterrent to people,” Franco said. “But if you're able to say, ‘I want to go back to that salsa class, do you want to go?’ It gives you a reason to continue the connection.”
Hobbies are also things that are completely customizable for every individual. Every person has the freedom to gravitate towards whatever hobby seems interesting or enjoyable to them.
Emma Zaslavsky, a sophomore communications major at UMD, was drawn towards sewing at a young age and has stuck with it ever since. She joined a fashion school during elementary school and eventually became a teacher there.
“It's something that I'm proud of because not a lot of people know how to design and sew, so it's really special,” Zaslavsky said. “Whenever I need an outlet, I use sewing.”
Zaslavasky was also able to find people that share her hobby and connect with them on a different level: “At the fashion school, there was such a great community.”
Hobbies have also boosted individuals' moods and increased their productivity. Jonah Schneider, a junior finance major, finds joy in working out. He notices a shift in his mood when he does not set aside time for the gym.
“I feel like when I don't go for a while, my mood changes and I get more lazy, but when I keep a consistent schedule with it, I feel like I can be very productive,” Schneider said.
Along with working out, he loves cooking– a passion that began when he watched his mom in the kitchen as a child. Eventually, she passed on her knowledge to him, and now he creates flavourful meals for himself, his friends and his family.
“Especially in the kitchen, there's really no rules, so you kind of just can create whatever you want with your vision so it allows me to have some freedom and express my creativity,” Schneider said.
Both hobbies provide him with a sense of purpose and self-expression, helping him maintain balance in his busy and demanding schedule.
Hobbies can introduce people to a community that becomes meaningful and important, or it might simply offer a personal escape to turn to in stressful times. Whether hobbies are shared with loved ones or enjoyed alone, they can be a safe space to think creatively, alleviate stress or connect with others.
“It's very warming and rewarding to have something that you love to do and that you can continue doing no matter what,” Schneider said.