Is there a better time to start a new, exciting and somewhat strange hobby than the start of the semester? The Gazelle’s editors do not think so. Here are a few mildly amusing and wildly unique activities that would certainly make your Spring semester that much more memorable.

Make stamp collecting your new hobby Yana Peeva, Editor-in-Chief: As spring break travel planning has commenced, I can offer the best souvenir for people who choose the “hand-luggage only” option on any airline’s booking portal. Stamp collecting is a hobby practiced internationally by over 60 million people. This year, consider joining their ranks by replacing expensive or unsustainable souvenirs and gifts by visiting local post-offices for their unique stamps.

Playlists for every thought process Mehraneh Saffari, Editor-in-Chief: My favorite form of procrastination is making Spotify playlists. Any time I feel particularly inspired (or frustrated) by something, I channel it into a list of songs, curated for seamless transitions in between and the perfect title and cover photo combo. Rather than time- or genre-based playlists, I would suggest finding songs that feel like a slow motion movie scene of someone getting hit in the head with a basketball, a piano on fire, passport privilege, or just about any other concept you can think of. You can attach musical notes to anything, and looking back, it’ll act as an acoustic timeline of your life over time.

Hoard Nature Isabel Ortega, Senior News Editor: Speaking as someone with a terrible memory, I have made it a habit to collect local nature over the years. Shells, pressed flowers, pebbles, and much more have all become mementos for times I did not always consider particularly significant. Over the years, I have been surprised at what turns into new jewelry, dorm decor, or even material for a final project in a core class. You become more observant of your environment all while it becomes second nature to incorporate pieces of the everyday into daily life.

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