The Importance of Passion Projects in and Out of College

By: Sophie Wright

Image courtesy of Steve Johnson via Pexels.

Being accepted into the SMAD program opened up new opportunities for me to explore my creative vision. Collaborating with other creative individuals and working on projects that help students grow as storytellers allowed me to experiment with different forms of storytelling and deepen my understanding of the creative field.

During this time, I realized I wanted to nurture my love for creativity and art by developing a hobby that could also support my future career. Painting and collaging became personal passion projects that not only fueled my excitement for the creative world but also provided a fun and meaningful way to spend my time.

What defines a passion project? 

Passion projects are small but fulfilling activities that a person shows interest in. My addition to this definition is that it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else. Passion projects are a way to surround yourself with the creative world: something that isn't the same as your job or field of study but an activity that ultimately makes you more passionate about what you love and what you are interested in.  

While they can look like hobbies, passion projects are often more purposeful—focused on what brings you joy and keeps you motivated. The amazing thing is that it’s all for you. It doesn't have to make sense to anyone else! It's truly for yourself and yourself only; something that you are passionate about. 

Why should you develop a passion project during and after college?

As college students, we are busy all the time. It can be tough to balance school, friends and mental health, and we may feel stuck on what else to engage in throughout each day. That's where passion projects can come in. They can allow you to fill up time in meaningful and exciting ways that can help to fulfill your future and your passions.

For me, I love fashion, design and art, so collaging and making mood boards has helped me to center in on my favorite things, but also provides me with a helpful tool to use within my future career. Mood boards are used often throughout creative roles, and can allow for ideas and visions to flourish when it comes to curation and inspiration. Passion projects also fill up time and can give you the chance to take a breather on other important elements of life like friends, school, part-time job, etc. 

College is the perfect time to figure out what you like and what you don’t. Today, when social media can be a trap: you may find yourself caring about how many people liked your story or saw your post. It's important to have an outlet that can help you to separate yourself from worldly influences. Having a passion project is solely for the purpose of you liking it, so there is no pressure of doing things right or proving anything. Passion projects are for you and only you, which makes them unique and special. 

The benefit of starting a passion project during college can mean a more steady routine for after graduation, and can keep your schedule busy. Busy doesn't always need to be what everyone stereotypically thinks of. Busy can mean what you want it to mean. It can absolutely be devoting time to passion projects and the things you love: allow time to be filled up in ways that mean more to you. 

For some of us who are graduating this May or in the coming year, the idea of leaving years of school routines and plans can be daunting and overwhelming. It's normal to feel stuck figuring out where to go or what to spend your time doing when still trying to figure out your career or finding your first job. Passion projects can help to take up this time of waiting and can allow you to build up inspiration, and future goals. 

What are the benefits of having a passion project?

Passion projects allow for inspiration to grow. They let you find something that makes you happy, and they provide another outlet throughout our busy and media-focused lives. Finding a passion project can be a fun challenge. What makes you happy? What’s something outside of the box, outside of your comfort zone? Passion projects can also be a fantastic element to showcase in your portfolio to make you stand out from other candidates. Projects can be proof for your own mind that you are not afraid to learn new things!

My experience of having a passion project has allowed me to branch off and find something that I truly love and am interested in, without caring what others may think. College is the time where we are forced to be alone and find our way as young adults. Adding a fun activity like a passion project can be beneficial and worthwhile, whether it's for enjoyment or gaining inspiration for a future career. 

For all of my creative thinkers, go out of your comfort zone and branch off to new outlets. It doesn't hurt and can truly inspire more creative visions and spark interest in new things! What I love about it is that it makes you stand out from the crowd. Passion projects can be on your own timeline, and can truly be a work in progress. Go out and get that paint set, those crochet needles, paint on vinyl records. The sky is the limit - let your creativity fly.