As a teenager, my cousin Jenna saved up to acquire a vintage 1950s Ford Mustang, which she proudly parked in the driveway and meticulously restored. She dedicated her afternoons and weekends to working on it, seamlessly fitting it into her school and sports commitments. Similarly, my other relatives pursued passionate interests, such as playing the guitar or performing on the piano. These pursuits were once simply referred to as “hobbies,” and they were largely self-directed, allowing kids to engage in activities with friends or on their own, while their parents offered minimal guidance, perhaps sharing a few tips on car repairs or strumming a tune on the piano.
In contrast, my teenage years were devoid of hobbies; I was immersed in what I called “extracurriculars.” I took music lessons in high school, which I noted on my college applications, and begrudgingly participated in various sports teams purely to enhance my resume for college. I did find joy in the drama club, a commitment I would have pursued regardless of its impact on my college prospects. However, I primarily viewed these activities as a means to build a compelling application for selective schools. Unlike the generations before, even those kids with genuine passions were often nudged to frame them as their “hook,” the standout feature that would attract admission committees.
This shift seems to reflect generational changes. My husband, who is slightly older, is the youngest of a large family and attended college in the 1970s and ’80s. By the time I was applying in the early ’90s, what teens did in their free time was overshadowed by what they needed to do, according to college advisors. The term “hook” entered the college counseling lexicon, and now, as I’ve learned from friends with teenage children, college applications have transformed into a multi-year endeavor where kids meticulously cultivate their resumes, grades, and activities to present their finest selves to elite institutions.
During my time as an SAT tutor in the early 2000s, I had a student named Sarah who loved playing the piano and attended weekly lessons. To accommodate our sessions, her parents canceled her piano lessons, and she voluntarily sacrificed her practice time to focus on test prep and homework. Throughout her junior and half of her senior year, I hardly saw her engage in anything purely for enjoyment. She confided that her piano skills weren’t strong enough for a conservatory, so she felt it wasn’t “worth” prioritizing music over SAT prep.
The narrative of today’s overscheduled and stressed-out youth is well-documented, and rightly so. Many teens struggle with sleep deprivation and lack of exercise. Driven by parental expectations or their ambitions, they push to elevate their B+ average to an A. The process of “getting into a good college” has morphed into a grueling journey where kids postpone their true passions—activities that bring them joy—in favor of checking off yet another item on the “well-rounded applicant” list. While there are many reasons to reconsider this high-pressure high school experience, I propose a simple benefit: hobbies may be poised for a resurgence.
Now, I can proudly say I have a hobby. I play the guitar, and although I’m not great at it, I truly love it. I wish I had more time to dedicate to it. If my children express interest in activities like drawing comics or constructing model airplanes, I will wholeheartedly support them. My hope is that, when they reach high school, I won’t push them to prioritize SAT tutoring over what they love; but who knows? Maybe the pressure will get to me too. After all, restoring a classic car could look quite impressive on a college application.
This article was originally published on Oct. 7, 2015.
For more insights, check out this blog post on home insemination, or visit Make a Mom for expert advice on fertility supplements. For a comprehensive understanding of infertility, consult the CDC’s FAQ, which serves as an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the shift from hobbies to structured extracurricular activities reflects a broader societal change in how we view youth interests and their implications for college admissions. While the pressure to succeed persists, there may be hope for a return to more personal and fulfilling pursuits.