Hobbies came in all shapes and sizes, from coffee tasting and surfing to collecting artifacts—common pastimes that many enjoyed. However, some hobbies, like tabletop games, stood out as more unique or unconventional. At California Baptist University, students have the opportunity to express and share their passion for these distinctive hobbies.
Hobbies are typically known as a fascination with an activity to pass the time or expand one’s knowledge of a subject or skill.
According to Modern Recovery Services some of the health benefits associated with having a hobby. Hobbies provided a break from stressful everyday life, creating a stress-reducing environment.
Engaging in self-loved hobbies also helped form connections between people with shared interests. Choosing a hobby could seem like a challenge, but hobbies were ultimately about doing what one loved.
Students at CBU expressed their love for hobbies, finding and creating deeper connections with others.
Alexander Shorts, freshman history and theatre double major, has a unique passion for tabletop games. His interest in board games developed through friends, passing the time while camping, and the support of those around him who introduced him to new games.
His love for board games stemmed from his friends and family. He mentioned some of his favorites, including “Dungeons & Dragons”.
“My cousins love to play board games, and one of my best friends introduced me to my two favorite games, ‘Blood on the Clocktower’ and ‘Twilight Imperium 4th Edition’,” Shorts said.
Shorts’ love for board games brought him joy and strengthened his friendships, as he enjoyed bringing people together for quality time in his garage. This connection deepened when Shorts and his friends immersed themselves in a game, developing strategies together.
A hobby like his could come with a hefty price tag due to the cost of board games. However, Shorts noted that many of his board games had been gifted to him. Lately, he began investing in higher-priced board games.
“I’ve started purchasing more expensive games, specifically ‘Blood on the Clocktower’, ‘Twilight Imperium 4th Edition’, and the ‘Prophecy of Kings expansion’,” Shorts added.
Some hobbies extended beyond physical board games and tangible items.
Samuel Torreyson, junior business administration major, has an interesting hobby: watching sitcoms. His passion for sitcoms stemmed from childhood, where he grew up watching shows like “Seinfeld” and “Family Matters”.
Torreyson’s love for sitcoms came from simply watching and enjoying the moment. He also noted that sitcoms had positively impacted his life by broadening his perspective.
“They’ve increased my appreciation for the artistic medium of TV,” Torreyson said.
To continue watching his favorite shows, Torreyson subscribed to streaming services for sitcoms like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation”.
Torreyson also enjoyed sharing his love for sitcoms with his friends and residents, making it a social experience.
These unique hobbies helped form a sense of community within CBU’s diverse campus. Students like Shorts and Torreyson created bonding experiences, whether by physically gathering to play a board game or emotionally connecting over a shared love for sitcoms.
