Not that these hobbies aren’t great, but there are a lot of other hobbies out there that are underrated. Because hobbies like social networking, chilling, playing a sport, or playing music are common and enjoyable (for the most part), small hobbies like reading and writing are overlooked and perceived as boring in comparison, despite how fun and beneficial they can actually be.
 

Reading.

According to the official research journal of the Young Adult Library Services Association, less than one-third of 13-year-olds are daily readers, a 14 percent decline from 20 years earlier. Among 17-year-olds, the percentage of non-readers doubled over a 20-year period, from nineteen percent in 1984 to nine percent in 2004.

 

As you can see, reading has become less and less of a hobby over the years, and by the looks of it, it’s sure to continue going down in the coming years. Technology in all its ‘infinite’ glory has taken over the lives of today’s young adults. Teens are becoming less and less fascinated by the worlds there are to be discovered in books.

 

Reading expands the horizons of creativity in students and serves as a source of inspiration and insight that can be applied to practical things in life including essays, college applications, job interviews, and so forth.

 

Writing.

Yes, I know you’re all probably reading this article thinking, “Man, who dis girl think she is, Shakespeare or somethin’?” By the way, I’d like to think of myself as more of a Jane Austen type of gal. Anyway, the point is – I know writing seems very old fashioned when compared to watching television.

 

However, old fashioned doesn’t always necessarily mean ‘boring’. Writing doesn’t always have to be in prose or verse. In fact, students have the luxury of combining writing and technology together! Keep a written journal or have a blog; either way, documenting things about your life can be useful as you grow. Maybe it’s just me, but seeing how I’ve matured over time is very interesting.

 

According to psychcentral.com, journaling can actually benefit students’ physical health. A researcher at University of Texas, Austin concluded that writing about stressful events helps you come to term with them.

 

So whether you’re writing and reading therapeutically or recreationally, you’ll just be helping yourself.