Hobbies are a great way to keep the semester interesting, and an even better way to break up the monotonous schedule of class and all of your various campus involvements. I know I have to keep up with a couple of hobbies in order to keep myself sane during the school year. This week, I'm going to list off a couple of different activities to keep yourself busy with this semester in order to help you branch out and try new things!

Painting. This is something I would consider one of my favorite pastimes. Am I a super talented? Nah. Yet painting is one of the things I do when studying for a test isn't something that sounds not even remotely doable. Seriously, just try it some time. It relieves so much stress and allows you to artistically express yourself. Not to mention being able to paint cute canvases is super srat. Once you have a supply of paints and paint brushes, you can instantly make your friends and family relatively cheap presents for any occasion. No matter what size the canvas, I'm sure your mom will still hang it on the refrigerator with pride. If your significant other is up for it, painting makes for a great date night as well!

Knitting. No, this one is not a joke. My big told me that one of her good friends got into knitting during college. So whether you join a knitting circle or go solo, you'll be the coolest person in your friend group. You can gift your friends with sweaters, blankets, hats and any number of warm things. One of my very best friends in high school taught herself how to knit and crochet - not to mention professionally decorate cakes and sew, she is the ultimate house wife already. That same friend of mine knitted me a little stuffed owl that I absolutely love to this day. I'm sure this is a fairly relaxing hobby to keep once you learn the tricks of the trade.

Video Games. This is not something that has ever interested me, but I know pretty much everyone else grew up with a video game console in their house. From what I can tell, these can easily turn into a dangerous time trap, but if played responsibly they can make a great escape from the constant grind of school and related commitments. As I am writing this article, my friends are in front of the TV playing Shrek 2 on the Game Cube...no, not the movie, the video game. I guess you could call this one a "group hobby," so that makes it all the better. Most sorority houses don't have video game consoles in them, but there are plenty of us old out-of-housers that have them and would love to have their sisters over. 

Intramural Sports. Not sure if this one really counts, but I'm going to say it does. I have never been the biggest intramural sport player - literally never - but they are something I am definitely interested in getting into this semester. I am the least sporty person on the planet, but I feel like Oklahoma State offers enough obscure options that even people like me will have a great time. Coed intramurals are an easy way to have a great time and make friends with the house you are paired with, so why not give it a try? The 'Archery' sign up sheet has my name all over it this year. Am I going to be the next Katniss Everdeen? Probably not, but might as well have a great time doing something crazy like archery with my sorority sisters while I have the opportunity. Intramural sports are also played at the most random times, so it is hard not to fit one into your schedule.

Netflix Watching. Hobby? Well maybe not, but I'm almost certain every college student has visited this website at least once since coming to Oklahoma State. Instead of being an introvert and watching in the comfort of your bed - I know, it's tempting - make a night out of it with friends. My boyfriend won me over by having us schedule a "Madmen night" every Wednesday while he was still safely in the friend zone. 

Biking. Stillwater may or may not be the most scenic town in all of the United States, but that is up for debate. Even though we don't have any great views around, biking around campus is still a great way to get exercise and fun enough to be considered a hobby. Wait, exercise is fun? My bad. I finally brought my bicycle up to school this year and so far I have loved using it to get around instead of walking. You can cover a lot more distance and it's also super relaxing. Do you notice that I have considered all hobbies relaxing? Bicycle rides are a great thing to do with friends or alone so social hobby or not, it's a great one.