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How do you keep your hobbies after HS?

Now, I'm not yet knocking at graduation's door, but I worry that I'll fall out of love with everything I currently enjoy. Take marching band as an example. Going into my freshman year, I DREADED marching season, dreaded the fact that my summer essentially wasn't mine anymore, it was the band's. But, present day junior me is enamored with marching season, its quite possibly the most wonderful time of the year for me. I love my section, I love all my band friends (most of which are my best friends,) I love halftime performances, and I love competition days. But all that suddenly dissappears once I graduate next year. And I know there's many, MANY DCI groups out there I could audition for -heck, one of our alumni techs this year has marched with Phantom Regiment and marched with the Blue Devils this year- but, while I absolutely love and adore DCI, I'm a woodwind player, and DCI is all brass, guard, and pit. I've played concert flute for about five years now, occasionally picking up the piccolo and the alto flute for chamber recitals, flute choirs, and ensemble performances. I'd love to pick up another instrument but even glancing at saxophone prices makes me cringe, they're expensive! And that's not including the absurd amount of reeds I'd need! I'm not certain if I'll join college band, if I'll minor in music, or if I even wanna breathe the same air as the room my flutes are in after I graduate. Not participating in all-region auditions sounds pretty amazing, I won't lie. I don't want to fall out of touch with music, it's always going to be a part of me and there's simply nothing I or any professional can do about that, and I don't want to lose my spark for all the multitude of other things I enjoy. (like drawing, character creation, learning, I could go on.) I shouldn't be worrying about this right now, not when I have the rest of *this* year ahead of me, but the thought's been scratching and crying at the door to my brain, trying to get in, and it wouldnt go away no matter how many times I tell myself "it'll leave if I pay it no mind." So I let the little cretin in and it's plaguing my very existence, so I need it gone.

help band hobbies life-after-college marchingband flute after-high-school saxophone
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Dylan’s Answer

This is a very mature question, and everyone with profound hobbies in school faces this challenge. My insight is that if you truly love an activity, it will never leave your side. However, if your professional lifestyle requires you to take a break from music, you will eventually yearn for it so much you will find a way to work it into your life. Additionally, I encourage you to keep a relationship with the arts. Many adults overwork themselves and don't take time to participate in the activities that bring them joy. This only perpetuates stress and depression. In closing, keep at it! Whether you find yourself in a community music program or you just play for yourself at home, music is a vital part of your life and an essential part of the human experience.
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Karen’s Answer

Sounds like you have accomplished some great things in your musical career. Whether that ends now or continues until your last breath, really doesn't matter. You did something you enjoyed, and because of it, you gained friends, experience and some good times. If you can think back to when you were 4 or 5 years old, maybe there was something you thought was the best thing in your life -- something as small as having a balloon. Probably won't have that same feeling now about a balloon, but it was good while it lasted.

Try to embrace the new things in life that you will experience. You don't have to decide about your future in music now, just let it happen. Meanwhile try some things you have never done before and see where that leads you.

With every good wish.
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Lucy’s Answer

Hey ...I know how that feels ...I also was thinking how I loved music and writing practice would I still be able to keep having time to do my hobbies Whist in nursing school but ... Just like hobbies there are way to go about them such as you should try to join college clubs that are similar or the same to your hobbies, explore community bands that are around the university of your choice, take private lessons if you can afford it , or participate in online music communities those are also available...you could ask your music teacher. If performing isn’t feasible, broaden your skills with similar instruments or cheaper options. Keep an open mind, explore other interests like drawing, and create your own opportunities by forming small groups in college you never know what might grab your interest or sharing your work online start a YouTube or tiktoks to have a consistency in practicing and getting even more better. It’s about finding new ways to enjoy your passions as you transition beyond high school to college.
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Connie’s Answer

Hello Ren.

There are some advice to keep hobbies right after high school:

1) If you plan on going to college right after high school, I would strongly recommend joining a student organization or club on campus that interests you to be consistent with these hobbies. If none of the student organizations or clubs on campus have your hobbies or interest you, you can create a student organization based on your hobbies or interests. It is a lot of work, as you'll need at least 5-10 students that are also interested in the student organization, as well as a connection with faculty or staff member that is willing to be an advisor of your student organization, but the skills you'll build and develop from starting a student organization is totally worth it. Feel free to reach out for more information if starting a student organization on campus is something that interests you.

2) If there are specific hobbies you are passionate about, there are several options on pursuing a career path on these hobbies, whether it is starting a business dedicated to the hobby, teaching people on the hobby (teaching people on how to play an instrument), blogging about the hobby, or creating social media content or YouTube videos based on the hobby.

3) If you're feeling stressed, burned out, or even bored, take some of this time to focus on your hobbies, as consistency is key, even if it's just a few minutes a day. The more often you spend on hobbies, the more likely these hobbies continue to persist after high school.

Hope this helps!
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Verne’s Answer

What a great question, please note that you do not need to leave your hobbies alone when growing your career. I would say the most successful persons in their careers are those who enjoy their work and have strong passion about what they do. That is really what hobby is. It is spending time doing something you enjoy. Here’s a few ideas on how to weave it into your career based on what you are studying.

1. Use Music as a Tool for Healing
Music and medicine go hand in hand more than people realize.
Music Therapy Collaboration: While they might not be a certified music therapist, nurses often work with them. If they have musical skill, they could support or partner in therapeutic settings—especially in maternity wards, pediatric units, or mental health spaces.
Sing/play for patients: In maternity or neonatal units, soft flute or vocal lullabies can soothe newborns and anxious parents alike. It’s simple, beautiful, and profoundly comforting.
Create a calming environment: Nurses often set the tone for a room. Having a playlist or a gentle music setup for birth centers, or even playing live in community outreach events, can make a huge difference.

2. Humanize Healthcare Through the Arts
Storytelling & Music for Connection: Nurses who perform or compose can use music to tell stories—about motherhood, birth, caregiving.
Arts in Medicine Programs: Some hospitals hire or partner with artist-healers to bring warmth into clinical spaces.

3. Keep Music Alive on the Side (for Joy & Self-Care)
Healthcare is rewarding, but emotionally intense. Keeping a music hobby can be one of the best forms of emotional resilience.
Community Ensembles: Evening rehearsals, casual bands, flute choirs—they fit around weird shifts, and offer social + emotional relief.
Music Journaling: Writing music based on patients’ stories (with anonymity, of course) can be an emotional outlet and creative diary.
Content Creation: Share experiences through songs or musical storytelling online—think "nurse by day, musician by night."

4. Music and Midwifery—A Soulful Pairing
Create playlists for labor: Help clients customize music for birthing. It adds a personal, empowering touch to the process.
Music-informed childbirth classes: Use rhythm and sound to teach breathing, relaxation, and comfort during labor.

I hope this gives you some ideas on how you can keep your hobbies alive. I will say it again. Those that normally make the most in their respective professions are those that enjoy what they do and are passionate about their work. In other words, their career is a hobby.
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