Expanding Your Education through Hobbies and Skills: Classes and Clubs Around Rochester
In graduate school, it is important to try and find a balance between being a student and being a person, and I think acquiring hobbies is an excellent way to begin to achieve this balance.
In my time as a graduate student, in the depths of the studying abyss or when I’ve caught myself mindlessly scrolling social media, there have been many moments where I’ve thought to myself: I need a hobby. In graduate school, it is important to try and find a balance between being a student and being a person, and I think acquiring hobbies is an excellent way to begin to achieve this balance. They allow for you to carve out some time for yourself in a way that still feels productive as we learn new skills through hobbies, but they are also often relaxing and fulfilling. Also, during Rochester’s cold, winter months, hobbies can help combat the winter blues and maximize coziness which is always a nice bonus.
The Rochester Public Library
Let’s start our foray into Rochester’s world of recreational classes with the public library! The public library is an excellent and free way to pick up a few new hobbies and skills. There are a nice range of classes from arts and crafts to more technical skills. On the artsy side, there are classes on needle felting, juggling, pantomime, drumming, and even creating your own moss terrarium. On the more technical / stem side, the library offers many computer classes and varying language classes. Unfortunately, these classes do book up fairly quickly and they do not always happen on a regular basis, so make sure to check the library’s schedule frequently to make sure you do not miss out on anything fun! These classes are not the only things offered at the public library, so make sure to check out (no pun intended) its wide variety of books and films, the clubs, the museum discounts, and its other resources too!
https://calendar.libraryweb.org/calendar/RPL
R-Centers
The R-Centers are another great free way to get your hobby on. There are many R-Centers throughout the city, so if you are someone who relies on public transport, bikes, or walks – do not worry, there is most certainly an R-Center near you! The R-Centers are a bit more limited in the variety of the classes they offer, but they classes are consistently scheduled. If you are looking for a structured weekly class, the R-Center is a great option for you. Currently they’re offering darts, roller skating, dance fitness, and kickboxing. They also have other rotating fitness classes and quite a few adult softball teams. It is truly the perfect place for those who enjoy being active in new and communal ways!
The Rochester Brainery
The Brainery is one of the central hubs for hobby classes in Rochester. From cake decorating to jewelry making, fencing to mixology and cooking classes to varying glass workshops, and so much more, they offer just about anything you would want to learn how to do. While various and consistent, these classes can be on the pricier side, so this might be a great option for those who want to treat themselves to learning a skill that they later can pursue at home for cheaper, like crocheting. For those who want to try a specialty skill that requires a lot of equipment that may be harder to acquire at home, you could try glass flameworking. Either way, when you scroll The Brainery’s catalogue of classes, it is easy to feel inspired to try something new!
https://rochesterbrainery.com/collections/classes
Flower City Arts Center
The Arts Center is another one of these central hubs for hobby classes in Rochester. While their classes may not be as wide-ranging in terms of category –as all of the classes you will find at The Arts Center will be art-based –they are in no way lacking in variety. If you have ever wanted to learn an arts-based skill, they are certain to offer a class for it. There are classes on bookbinding, papermaking, photography, photoshop, pottery, screenwriting, painting and so much more. If you can believe it, that was me just naming a few. Some of the classes can be pricy, but in general they are relatively affordable. The Flower City Arts Center also offers both single classes and multi-session classes, so if you want just an intro into a hobby or the full experience, they have got you covered!
https://flowercityarts.org/classes/
Roc City Circus
Last, but certainly not least, we have the Roc City Circus! The Roc City Circus may seem like an unconventional place to pick up a hobby or a skill, but they actually have many interesting and unique classes that combine fitness with artistry. From the trapeze to aerial silks to tap dance, the skills you learn here will make you feel strong, but also somewhat magical. The classes are relatively inexpensive and they offer individual, drop-in experiences for those who want to just dip a toe into the world of the circus. If you end up enjoying the classes, they also offer session packages. The Roc City Circus, like the other resources in this article, is so wonderfully and uniquely Rochester – I hope that you can explore this option and/or any of the others to expand your education in a new and enriching way!