Life Outside of School....? Ha!

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What do you folks do for fun outside of school? We all need hobbies. What interesting activity do you wish you were doing right now? What am I missing out on?

I'll start.

Backpacking
Watching UFC and Football
Working on cars and my house
Playing guitar
Reading about the Vietnam war

I have a tough time seperating my academic life from my personal life. When I'm not reading for a course, I'm reading and writing at home, trying to develop myself as a scholar. This usually consists of reading outside of psychology, or if within, from at least a different historical period, or a different sub-speciality (e.g., reading computational neuro). I don't feel like I'm missing out on that much in "real life"; I'm exactly where I want to be (though I do wish I had some more $$$).

That said, when I put the books away, I'm usually working on various musical projects I've had on the go for the past few years. So, practicing, recording, composing, etc. Or, alternatively, I'm riding bikes and drinking copious amounts of coffee. I'm also an amatuer powerlifter, though during the school year, I don't get to the gym as often as I would like.

I'm finally getting to that point where I get to do a lot of fun hobbies.
- College football addict (you probably wont see me on any threads in the fall besides APPIC, for that reason)
- coffee enthusiast/roaster- roast my own beans I buy green
- reading- murder mysteries, mostly, but I branch out (jonathan kellerman ftw imo)
- backpacking/hiking/camping
-playing tennis and ultimate frisbee
-and I got married recently. Not a hobby, but it's fun and does take up "hobby time".

I sing. I've often said here that my voice lessons are the one time during the week that I don't have to think about psychology, and it's awesome.

I also watch a lot of TV and movies. I read for fun as well when I can find books that interest me. Right now I'm working through the Song of Ice and Fire series.

Running, fantasy football, occasionally video games. I didn't pleasure read when I was in school (too much reading).

Happy hour, date nights, and hanging out with non-school friends is always a breath of fresh air.

Originally Posted by Pragma

Running, fantasy football, occasionally video games. I didn't pleasure read when I was in school (too much reading).

Happy hour, date nights, and hanging out with non-school friends is always a breath of fresh air.

Replace running with weight training (I'm generally allergic to cardio), add in a tiny bit of pleasure reading, and you've just described my life as well.

Originally Posted by AcronymAllergy

Replace running with weight training (I'm generally allergic to cardio), add in a tiny bit of pleasure reading, and you've just described my life as well.

Haha, yes I forgot you are a self-described "meathead"

Running is a good stress buster for me. The pleasure reading picked up during my internship year, but only because I had my dissertation done.

Actually now that my fellowship is wrapped up, I think the pleasure reading will pick up a lot! I just can only stomach so much reading in a given week.

Ultimate frisbee - used to play college and club. I'm out of eligibility but I might stop by a few practices at my new graduate school
Working on my fitness- I try to go to the gym everyday but we'll see if I can keep that up once I start school
Anything with dogs - I used to work at a dog rescue and I'd love to volunteer at a Humane Society

Reading, camping, anything outside really, happy hour, arts & crafts, sports at my alma mater. these are a few of my favorite things.

Wait a gosh darned second!!!

We're allowed to have one of those?!?

Originally Posted by paramour

Wait a gosh darned second!!!

We're allowed to have one of those?!?

Only if you don't tell your chair.

Originally Posted by G Costanza

Only if you don't tell your chair.

You get to sleep to?! I'm doubly impressed!

My hobbies are weird. They'll "out" me to anyone I know in real life.

But can I just say how awesome it was to disappear in some books this year? Fifty Shades was nice, mindless reading. Mmmmm, mindless.

For those of you who expressed some interest in UFC and/or any other athletic activity, I cannot recommend Brazilian Jiu Jitsu strongly enough. BJJ has had an incredibly positive influence on my life. I had finished undergrad and was searching for career path and purpose. I started training in 2006 and the "BJJ lifestyle" took over. It is a martial art focused on using leverage and technique to defeat larger and stronger opponents. One of the fundamental tenets of the art is to use the most efficient method to defeat your opponent. I've applied what I've learned in BJJ to my academic and career goals. Knowing both are long processes, I went back and earned a bachelor's in psychology and should hopefully be a psychologist in three years. It takes most people 10-12 years to earn a blackbelt in BJJ, and when I earn it, it will rank up there with my doctoral degree.

Nowadays, I cannot train as often as when I was an undergrad, but I still get on the mat 3-4 times a week. It is a great way to relieve stress and stay in terrific shape. Plus, BJJ is an extremely effective method of self defense. Every training session is different which keeps me interested, unlike running or weight lifting. Additionally, BJJ is a brotherhood. I've travelled to several different states and can always find a place to train. It's like a common language. I've trained with MDs, computer wizards, an architect, lots of law enforcement/military guys, rich business types, young MMA guys, ect. BJJ is my hobby outside of grad school and I encourage everyone to give it a shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVCKEbiEJNc

+1 for BJJ

I also like photography and writing.

Golfing...love it. I'm just getting back into it the last 2 years.
Outdoor adventure racing...which I may expand to include trail running, tbd.
Photography...I need to get back to doing, it's been 3-4+ years since I did it with any consistency.

I am doing/did some restoration work, but I need a real workshop to do it right, so the last bunch of years I've just tinkered and tried to learn the basics. I restored most of an upright piano during grad school, but I had to sell it when I moved. I have another piano that I bought awhile back to fix up, but I'll probably sell it before moving because it is too beastly to move again. Third time is a charm...right? I want to build some shelves with distressed barn wood, but the darn Yuppies drove up the price of raw materials so I'm stuck poking around to find free/cheap materials.

I am an avid video game player and I like writing sci-fi and fantasy. Being a world famous author is my back up plan if psych doesn't work out And my brother makes amateur horror movies which I help with here and there.

Originally Posted by CriminalPsych

And my brother makes amateur horror movies which I help with here and there.

That is pretty cool, I must say.

Originally Posted by CriminalPsych

I am an avid video game player and I like writing sci-fi and fantasy. Being a world famous author is my back up plan if psych doesn't work out And my brother makes amateur horror movies which I help with here and there.

I decided that grad school was my backup plan as writing probably wasn't very realistic. I'll return to my fantasies once I get a "real job."

Originally Posted by Rivi

That is pretty cool, I must say.

Agreed.

Writing and releasing music on small labels, keeps me sane during the insanity of school

Originally Posted by Therapist4Chnge

Golfing...love it. I'm just getting back into it the last 2 years.
Outdoor adventure racing...which I may expand to include trail running, tbd.
Photography...I need to get back to doing, it's been 3-4+ years since I did it with any consistency.

I am doing/did some restoration work, but I need a real workshop to do it right, so the last bunch of years I've just tinkered and tried to learn the basics. I restored most of an upright piano during grad school, but I had to sell it when I moved. I have another piano that I bought awhile back to fix up, but I'll probably sell it before moving because it is too beastly to move again. Third time is a charm...right? I want to build some shelves with distressed barn wood, but the darn Yuppies drove up the price of raw materials so I'm stuck poking around to find free/cheap materials.

That sounds awesome, but what is it?

Originally Posted by Pragma

That sounds awesome, but what is it?

Hmm, I wonder if it includes things like the Warrior Run and Zombie Run, etc.?

Originally Posted by G Costanza

What do you folks do for fun outside of school? We all need hobbies. What interesting activity do you wish you were doing right now? What am I missing out on?

I'll start.

Backpacking
Watching UFC and Football
Working on cars and my house
Playing guitar
Reading about the Vietnam war

the biggest thing i did outside of school was laugh....any activity with a high probability of laughter was the activity for me!

movies
tv
comedy clubs
and basically spending time with fun people


i think the laughter kept me semi-sane in grad school.

Originally Posted by Pragma

Haha, yes I forgot you are a self-described "meathead"

Running is a good stress buster for me. The pleasure reading picked up during my internship year, but only because I had my dissertation done.

Actually now that my fellowship is wrapped up, I think the pleasure reading will pick up a lot! I just can only stomach so much reading in a given week.

pleasure reading was the one thing i missed the most in grad school....although, i said screw school work when the final harry potter book came out....it was only for a day though.

since finishing school and that infernal EPPP, i dont even know what to do with myself! i'm regularly found with at least 3 books and a kindle in my purse. the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction!

Originally Posted by AcronymAllergy

Hmm, I wonder if it includes things like the Warrior Run and Zombie Run, etc.?

Yup. The irony is I highly dislike running, but if there is a purpose to it I'm far more likely to do it.

Originally Posted by Solipsism3

For those of you who expressed some interest in UFC and/or any other athletic activity, I cannot recommend Brazilian Jiu Jitsu strongly enough. BJJ has had an incredibly positive influence on my life. I had finished undergrad and was searching for career path and purpose. I started training in 2006 and the "BJJ lifestyle" took over. It is a martial art focused on using leverage and technique to defeat larger and stronger opponents. One of the fundamental tenets of the art is to use the most efficient method to defeat your opponent. I've applied what I've learned in BJJ to my academic and career goals. Knowing both are long processes, I went back and earned a bachelor's in psychology and should hopefully be a psychologist in three years. It takes most people 10-12 years to earn a blackbelt in BJJ, and when I earn it, it will rank up there with my doctoral degree.

Nowadays, I cannot train as often as when I was an undergrad, but I still get on the mat 3-4 times a week. It is a great way to relieve stress and stay in terrific shape. Plus, BJJ is an extremely effective method of self defense. Every training session is different which keeps me interested, unlike running or weight lifting. Additionally, BJJ is a brotherhood. I've travelled to several different states and can always find a place to train. It's like a common language. I've trained with MDs, computer wizards, an architect, lots of law enforcement/military guys, rich business types, young MMA guys, ect. BJJ is my hobby outside of grad school and I encourage everyone to give it a shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVCKEbiEJNc

Thats awesome man..they have bjj classes at my gym, I'll definitely check it out. I started to do boxing and muy,thai for a while but couldn't stay consistent unfortunately.

Originally Posted by Shatani

the biggest thing i did outside of school was laugh....any activity with a high probability of laughter was the activity for me!

movies
tv
comedy clubs
and basically spending time with fun people


i think the laughter kept me semi-sane in grad school.

I went to a comedy club a couple months ago for the first time. I didn't realize how much it hurts your face to laugh and smile so much.

Can anyone recommend easy reading? I'm out of e-books.

Originally Posted by G Costanza

I went to a comedy club a couple months ago for the first time. I didn't realize how much it hurts your face to laugh and smile so much.

oh yeah...its also a fabulous ab workout! i'm a regular at one of my local comedy clubs....they dont even check my id anymore! lol

i joined their "insider's club" and so i often get texts about free tickets to shows....so, it doesnt even have to cost much!

Originally Posted by PsychPhDStudent

Can anyone recommend easy reading? I'm out of e-books.

i recommend anything by John Green....i love his work! his most recent is called The Fault In Our Stars.

After I had submitted all of my applications for tenure-track jobs, there was a huge lag until I heard about interviews, etc. Probably right around Thanksgiving, I started to go crazy. While my postdoc and teaching on the side took up the vast majority of my time, I needed something that was a good distraction where I wouldn't be pre-occupied.

I ended up becoming a little bit of a gamer. I'll proudly admit that I like to play WOW now in my free time. Totally kept me sane while I waited for interviews and offers. However, so glad I didn't play during school because the game itself would have been a distraction. That's actually also when I discovered SDN. If gaming isn't your thing and you are waiting for something big (jobs, internships, etc), I recommend just finding any NEW hobby that you have to immerse yourself in. Worked for me! But that also made it that much harder to study for the EPPP, which I put off until the end of my (2 yr) postdoc.

As I mentioned, daily running, fantasy football, and going out with my wife are also typical activities. I'm hoping to start playing my guitar again as well (that hobby was a casualty when grad school began).

Comedy clubs = the best money spent for going out (IMO)!

Snorkeling, gym / weight training, and love seeing movies and spending a ton of money to eat junk popcorn and soda.

I live in South Florida so next up to add to the list is scuba diving.