Procrastination can knock the wind right out of our sails, yet in a world where we can access anything from our phone or laptop, hobbies have taken on an entirely different set of criteria for university students.

In a world where we’re spoiled for choice—whether we are looking to play games, do our shopping or fire up a casino game—finding an enjoyable hobby and one that provides real value or satisfaction is increasingly difficult. This is especially true given our world is now so digital and ultra-convenient, yet simultaneously seeming to lack hobbies that can provide an authentic connection with people.

With that notion in mind, we’ve researched which hobbies are experiencing a rise in popularity and how new generations of uni students are looking for inspiration online to find new hobbies that they most like the look of. Here are some of the main ones that have been earmarked as ones with rising popularity.

Niche Casino Games

The rise of online casino gaming, especially slots, has been an eye-catching news item over the last decade. Playing slots online encompasses various gaming titles, including video slots, 3D games, and progressive jackpots. Its international growth has meant that it appeals to many different demographics.

As slot gaming has expanded into a multi-billion pound global industry, design companies have been eager to create innovative ideas and capture some of this colossal audience. Megaways casino games are another idea gaining more traction as designers focus on creating new slot gaming ideas while sticking within the same framework, rather than deviating away from the norm too much and putting together casino gaming ideas that do not have the same appeal or audience as slot gaming does.

Casinos now use various marketing tools to appeal to new gamers, including welcome bonuses free spins and promotions that provide players with free bets. The rise of sweepstakes casinos has meant that slot gaming has become a hobby for university students, meaning they can play with on-site currencies like gold coins rather than having to deposit their own funds.

Niche casino games don’t just include slot ideas; there are many others to explore, including crash games, virtuals, and casinos that offer bets on niche markets such as TV and film.

Online Console Gaming

Gaming has always been a big hit with the university demographic, whether it includes the range of console games and the online communities that stem from popular titles or other types of gaming, like casino gaming. The broad potential of online gaming is what has resulted in a new generation of university students turning to it as their new hobby.

Console gaming has changed a lot over the last decade and a half. Back in the late noughties, console gaming was solely a hobby. It wasn’t a big industry, nor was it something that offered any career unless you were interested in going into the design side of things.

In 2024, some of the most profitable companies in gaming have emerged from the highly successful world of professional video gaming competitions. For instance, this year’s eSports World Cup in Saudi Arabia had a whopping prize pool of $60 million. This has meant that the vast audience potential and money for elite gamers spurs on those looking to turn their hobby into a job.

While not all university students will be looking to turn gaming into their career, and will not want to spend too much time away from their studies and let their grades to suffer, it can be a great way for them to decompress and unwind away from the pressures of their course.

Cinema & TV

Thanks to the rise of online streaming companies and the fact that we can access thousands of movies via Netflix and Disney+, it’s become much easier for movie buffs to bolster their knowledge of the movies. It’s a lot cheaper, too. Ardent moviegoers and fans can create online communities with fellow students, start film clubs and discuss new ideas to dissect some of the latest movies.

Not all movie enthusiasts like to discuss movies at length or debate someone’s opinion. They much prefer to put their thoughts on paper or in a column. The recent polarising Gladiator sequel divided many moviegoers, with some not impressed and others pleasantly surprised by Ridley Scott’s epic, which has been 25 years in the making.

Binge-watching classic TV shows like Breaking Bad or The Wire is not just unique to university students. It is an entirely new way to consume media that many demographics have picked up on. As more streaming companies focus solely on putting their latest ideas on their streaming platforms, their audience base swells. In their downtime, university students spend more time watching TV and movies via these platforms.

Hiking

Although there might be a preconception that hiking is reserved for those slightly older, the number of university students looking to take to the hiking tracks continues to increase. It is a cost-effective way to connect with nature and a great way to disconnect from the digital world, get out, get some fresh air and escape from the city for a day.

In 2022, hiking and backpacking were two of the fastest-growing activities in the US. This trend has continued across the pond, too, over on our side. With so much of the British countryside offering scenic views that can rival anywhere in Europe and beyond, it’s not a surprise that more university students are exploring the hills as their latest hobby. 

Final Thoughts

Hobbies can go through cyclical changes, but many of the hobbies we have touched on today have seen a sharp increase over the last few years. This could be due to societal changes or students looking to do something a bit different, rather than falling into stale stereotypes like going out and getting cheap drinks on a Thursday night down at the local dive bar.

Hobbies ultimately boil down to the individual, but any hobbies that champion cost-effectiveness and health benefits are always going to find an audience, regardless of whether it is university students or an older demographic.

Please gamble responsibly.