Post: #1

Hi this might be in the wrong section but let's go.

So I'm currently working on my PhD at a well recognized university. I'm in my early 20s.
I think it will take me another 4 years to finish this degree but at the end of it I should be getting a better job since I plan on leaving academia. Currently learning how to do big data analysis.

Anyways, this is a question to those guys with extremely crazy work schedules.
I regularly work 60+ hours between time spent in classes, lab, and reading. Not to mention I spend time to try to get to the gym few times a week and try to cook about 70% of all my meals. How do you guys build hobbies into lifestyles like this, what would even be a good hobby to develop at my age to meet some women outside of graduate school now and for the future?

Post: #2

Dance classes. Will serve you very well throughout life. I have a technical degree and it wasn't a panty-dropper, but dance floor game sure helps. I would be able to do a few, not just salsa. Ballroom dance is great for weddings where a lot of guys are too shy or awkward to know what they're doing.

Hiking groups, anything outdoors, rock-climbing, check out meetup.com and see what appeals to you. I easily work 6 days a week and often unusual hours in my business. Lately I've started yoga and that's also a good complement to a gym routine. Flexibility is important as you age and no time to start like when you're young.

One RVFer has a great write-up on learning to draw (links in his signature) and I plan to check that out too. Photography is an awesome hobby and good to build memories. College is a gold-mine, man! I had two left feet in high school and only went to two or three dances as a very shy nerd. College things shifted completely and I dated lots of girls from dance classes, mostly after college as I had a gf while at uni. Dance puts you in direct physical contact with women your age - what could be a better way to meet women, now and down the road?

Basically, whatever among these or anything else you come up with scares you the most, do that! But you gotta find a way to enjoy yourself which might start with not knowing WTF you're doing and then building confidence as you practice and get better. Having fun is crucial to improving at anything.