Student schedules are clearing as they transition into summer vacation. The much-needed time off is a great opportunity for students to explore their interests and pick up some new hobbies and skills.
Gardening is a good option for students, whether they are looking to stay indoors or get outside. There are a variety of beginner-friendly flowers, vegetables and herbs for students looking to start a home garden.
Riley Mueller, a sophomore studying biochemistry and the vice president of Gardens at ASU, said she recommends first-time gardeners plant forgiving herbs.
Forgiving herbs include thyme, mint, oregano and basil. These herbs are fast-growing and low-maintenance.
"They're called forgiving because they're impossible to kill, and they survive under anything," Mueller said.
These herbs can easily be propagated once they have grown, which is the process of creating new plants from existing ones.
Leaf and stem cuttings from the herb can be used to start this process. Mueller said the propagated plants can be a good gift for friends and family.
A draining pot, seeds and soil are the main things students will need to get started, Mueller said. Store-bought plants are another option for those looking to get a quick start.
"My biggest piece of advice is to be patient, which is probably not what some people want to hear that are getting involved," Mueller said. "It'll be really cool once it happens, but you can't rush the process."
Students looking for a creative hobby during their time off could consider trying ceramics. Ceramics can take on many forms, whether it is stoneware pottery spun on a wheel or air-dry clay sculptures.
Lauren Castleberry, a senior studying ceramics and art history and the president of the Clay Club at ASU, recommends starting with a store-bought ceramic kit. These kits can be found online and at art supply stores, including Michaels and BLICK Art Materials.
Castleberry said simple dishware is a good beginner-friendly project.
"Plates and bowls are the easiest, especially if you don't have a wheel," Castleberry said. "It's really easy to make plates and bowls with just your hands and pinching them into position."
The glazing process depends on the item and the kind of clay used to make it. Glaze may be required to make dishes food safe, while some planting pots don't need to be, Castleberry said.
Using too much water is a common mistake when throwing or sculpting clay, Castleberry said. She recommends using only a little bit of water at a time to avoid dissolving the clay.
Castleberry said ceramics is similar to playing with Play-Doh, and students should just enjoy it.
"At the beginning, just play around and just have fun with it," Castleberry said. "You find out what technique or what you're good at making, what you have fun with making."
Students looking for more leisurely activities during the summer may find joy in hooks and yarn. Crocheting is a relaxing activity that students can do anytime and anywhere.
Crocheting is a craft technique that uses a hooked needle and yarn to create fabric. Yarn and hooks can be found at local and online department stores.
Stephanie Zbierowski, a junior studying industrial engineering and vice president of Hooked Hearts at ASU, has been crocheting for about 10 years. She said the methodical and calm nature of the activity guided her toward it.
Zbierowski said she suggests starting with smaller projects like bookmarks, dish cloths or granny squares — a crocheted piece built from the center out.
"Everyone starts off as a beginner, and everyone's first project looks a little bit worse for wear, so it's nothing to stress about and it honestly just takes time," Zbierowski said.
Basic stitches compose much of what crocheting is, she said. Focusing on these stitches and using lighter yarn to see each stitch is helpful in the beginning.
Zbierowski suggests finding inspiration on Pinterest and YouTube to get more exposure to different patterns.
"Patience is very much needed in this; it can be very frustrating when you first start," Zbierowski said. "If you have fun with it, choose projects that you want to do and have fun with, it makes everything so much more relaxing and fun to do."
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Natalia Jarrett and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at dbell39@asu.edu and follow @dhemibell on X.
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Dhemi Bell is a reporter on the community and culture desk and is in her second semester at The State Press.
