Hobbies Help Students Escape the Stress of College Life

By Alexa Baumberger ‘23 Arts and Entertainment Editor

University of Akron students Kora Dutton and Dan Groen sat down to talk about the activities they enjoy doing to relieve stress and develop their skills. Having a hobby outside of class and work gives them an opportunity to be themselves without the pressure of being graded.

“I have always enjoyed creepy or unsettling art. I decided I wanted to create some of my own. I started named her creations “Koraline Dolls.” Dutton is currently working on a third doll as a gift for her sister. Coraline is still widely popular among fans on social media. dabbling in doll making about a year ago,” said Kora Dutton, a social work major.

“I was inspired by a TikTok to make a Coraline doll of myself. Coraline has remained one of my favorite movies since I was a kid, and I wanted one of my own,” said Dutton.

Learning to make the dolls wasn’t easy. The work was more tedious than she had anticipated. Manipulating wire to create a bendable body, sculpt clay for a head, and sew body and clothes - all took time for her to learn.

“I winged about every aspect of the first doll I made,” Dutton said.

It is both sustainable and adds to the creep factor of the doll,” said Kora.

Making the dolls is a therapeutic activity for Kora, one she doesn’t put too much pressure on herself over.

Dan Groen, a media studies major, also uses his hobby to gain skills with less pressure.

Dan Groen, a media studies major, also uses his hobby to gain skills with less pressure.

“One of my favorite hobbies is fishing. I love it because it helps me relax,” said Groen.

Having an escape from the stresses of everyday life and connecting with nature are outlets Groen values.

“It really helps my mental health,” he said.

Based on the 2009 stop motion animation movie Coraline, Dutton

With no full-sized sewing machine, she must rely on handsewing and stitching which was the hardest part for her. When Kora started doll -making, she had little expertise in making clothes. Seeing her craft and imagination evolve with each new doll is one of her favorite parts of the hobby.

“For the second doll I made, I was happy to see my skills develop. For this doll, I added an extra odd feature. I stuffed it with my dog’s fur.

Groen has been exposed to fishing since he was a little kid. Though he’s had some influence, most of his skills have been developed by himself.

“My dad taught me the very basics, but he never had a huge interest in it, so I taught myself once I got older,” said Groen.

He started fishing regularly around the age of 13 or 14. During the spring and summer, Groen typically fishes at Portage Lakes and his grandpa’s lake house in Ontario.

“I try to fish for bass, but I also catch sunfish, perch, crappie, catfish, and even walleye,” said Groen.

Gaining knowledge about the basic skills of his hobby didn’t take long. Curating the different techniques took him a bit longer to develop. His level of expertise isn’t his main concern, however.

“I’m still learning new things to this day,” said Groen.

Both Dutton and Groen have little time set aside for hobbies, so they use what opportunities they have.

Dutton uses her downtime to make gifts.

“I am currently working on a third doll as a gift for my sister and hoping to improve my sewing and sculpting abilities to create more durable and interesting dolls,” she said.

Groen also doesn’t have as much time as he used to for his hobby.

“But when I do, I always make the most of it. Even if I catch nothing, it’s still very therapeutic to be outside on a nice day enjoying nature,” Groen said.

Creating time for fun activities isn’t always easy, but the enriching experience of a hobby makes carving a place for one in your schedule worthwhile.