One of the most common questions in a School interview is, “What do you do in your free time?” This question gives interviewers a glimpse into your personality, interests, and how you use your time outside of academics. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your hobbies and explain how they contribute to your growth as an individual.
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Question 1: “What do you like to do in your free time?
👩🏫Teacher:
Alright, let’s start with a fun one: What do you like to do in your free time?
👧Student:
In my free time, I really enjoy drawing and painting. I love creating art because it lets me express myself and get lost in my imagination. I like experimenting with different styles and using colors to create something new each time. It’s a way for me to relax and unwind, and I always feel refreshed after spending some time working on a drawing or painting.
👩🏫Teacher:
That sounds wonderful! So, you use art as a creative outlet and a way to relax.
👧Student:
Yes, exactly! It’s something I look forward to because it lets me focus on something positive and fun, and I always feel like I’ve created a little piece of myself in each artwork.
1. Start with Your Activity
Begin by clearly stating your favorite hobby or activity. This makes it easy for the interviewer to understand your interest right away.
Example: “In my free time, I really enjoy drawing and painting.”
Tip: Choose a hobby or activity you genuinely enjoy and feel passionate about. This authenticity will shine through in your response.
2. Explain Why You Enjoy It
Describe what makes the activity special for you. Is it the creativity, relaxation, or fun it brings? Share your feelings honestly.
Example: “I love creating art because it lets me express myself and get lost in my imagination.”
Tip: Focus on positive aspects of the activity that show your personality, such as creativity, focus, or self-expression.
3. Provide Specific Details
Add depth to your response by sharing specific aspects of your activity, such as techniques you use or experiences you’ve had.
Example: “I like experimenting with different styles and using colors to create something new each time.”
Tip: Sharing details helps paint a vivid picture for the interviewer and makes your answer more engaging.
4. Connect It to Personal Growth
Explain how the activity helps you relax, recharge, or grow as a person. This shows that your hobbies are meaningful and have a positive impact on your life.
Example: “It’s a way for me to relax and unwind, and I always feel refreshed after spending some time working on a drawing or painting.”
Tip: Relating your hobby to personal development can make your response more thoughtful and impressive.
5. Use Enthusiastic Language
Show your excitement and passion for your hobby through the tone of your response. Words like “love,” “enjoy,” or “look forward to” convey enthusiasm.
Example: “It’s something I look forward to because it lets me focus on something positive and fun.”
Tip: Avoid giving generic or indifferent answers. Let your enthusiasm shine to make a strong impression.
6. Relate It to the Bigger Picture
Mention how your hobby reflects your personality or values, or how it might influence your future. This adds depth to your answer.
Example: “I always feel like I’ve created a little piece of myself in each artwork.”
Tip: Interviewers often look for how your hobbies align with traits like creativity, discipline, or passion.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice your response with a friend, parent, or teacher to feel confident about how you’ll answer during the actual interview. Rehearsing your answer helps ensure it flows naturally and sounds authentic.
Question 2: How does this activity help you relax or grow as a person?
👩🏫Teacher:
That’s great! So, how does this activity help you relax or grow as a person?
👧Student:
Art really helps me relax because it gives me a break from everything else going on. When I’m drawing or painting, I can just focus on what I’m creating, and it helps clear my mind. It’s almost like a form of meditation for me. But I think it also helps me grow as a person. Creating art teaches me patience because some projects take a long time to finish. I’ve also learned to accept mistakes since not everything turns out the way I expect, but that’s part of the learning process. I feel like it’s made me more open-minded and resilient.
👩🏫Teacher:
That’s amazing! So, art not only helps you relax but also teaches you valuable lessons like patience and resilience.
👧Student:
Yes, exactly! It’s more than just a hobby for me. It’s a way to improve myself and keep a positive mindset, which I think is really important.
1. Explain How the Activity Helps You Relax
Start by sharing how your hobby provides a break from stress or other responsibilities. Emphasize the calming or therapeutic aspects of the activity.
Example: “Art really helps me relax because it gives me a break from everything else going on. When I’m drawing or painting, I can just focus on what I’m creating, and it helps clear my mind.”
Tip: Use descriptive language to convey how your hobby positively impacts your mental and emotional well-being.
2. Share the Growth It Brings
Talk about the life skills, values, or personal qualities your hobby has helped you develop.
Example: “Creating art teaches me patience because some projects take a long time to finish. I’ve also learned to accept mistakes since not everything turns out the way I expect, but that’s part of the learning process.”
Tip: Highlight traits like patience, perseverance, resilience, or creativity to show how the activity contributes to your character.
3. Be Specific
Provide clear examples to make your response more relatable and authentic. For instance, mention a challenging project or a specific experience where your hobby helped you grow.
Example: “Some projects take hours or even days, which has taught me to stick with things and appreciate the process, not just the result.”
Tip: Specific examples make your answer more engaging and memorable.
4. Relate It to Personal Growth
Tie the lessons you’ve learned to how they’ve shaped you as a person. This shows that your hobby has a deeper meaning and value beyond just being fun.
Example: “I feel like it’s made me more open-minded and resilient.”
Tip: Use personal growth as a way to highlight qualities schools look for, such as adaptability, discipline, or emotional intelligence.
5. Mention How It Enhances Your Mindset
Discuss how your hobby impacts your outlook on life or helps you maintain a positive attitude.
Example: “It’s more than just a hobby for me. It’s a way to improve myself and keep a positive mindset, which I think is really important.”
Tip: Frame your response to show maturity and self-awareness. Schools value students who are reflective and mindful of their personal development.
6. Keep It Balanced
Make sure your response includes both relaxation and growth aspects. This shows that your hobby is well-rounded and meaningful.
Example: “Art not only helps me relax but also teaches me valuable lessons like patience and resilience.”
Tip: A balanced response highlights the multidimensional impact of your hobby.
7. Use Positive Language
Speak with enthusiasm and positivity to demonstrate how much your hobby means to you.
Example: “It’s almost like a form of meditation for me.”
Tip: Let your genuine passion for the activity shine through in your tone and word choice.
8. Practice Your Delivery
Rehearse your response to ensure it sounds natural and confident. Practice with a friend, parent, or teacher to get feedback.
Question 3: Have you learned any important lessons from this hobby?
👩🏫Teacher:
Alright, next question: Have you learned any important lessons from this hobby?
👧Student:
Definitely! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from doing art is that mistakes aren’t always bad. When I make a mistake in a drawing or painting, I’ve learned to adapt and find a way to work with it. Sometimes, those mistakes actually turn into interesting parts of the artwork. This has taught me to be more flexible and not get discouraged when things don’t go as planned. I’ve also learned the importance of practice—every time I draw, I get a little better, and it reminds me that improvement takes time and effort.
👩🏫Teacher:
Those are great lessons! So, art has taught you how to turn mistakes into opportunities and the value of consistent practice.
👧Student:
Yes, exactly! It’s helped me realize that things don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful, and that sometimes, the process is more important than the final result.
1. Highlight Key Life Lessons
Think about what your hobby has taught you—whether it’s a skill, mindset, or personal value. Share one or two meaningful lessons.
Example: “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from doing art is that mistakes aren’t always bad. When I make a mistake in a drawing or painting, I’ve learned to adapt and find a way to work with it.”
Tip: Choose lessons that reflect qualities schools value, such as resilience, creativity, perseverance, or adaptability.
2. Show How You Apply These Lessons
Explain how these lessons have shaped your approach to challenges or daily life. Relating them to real-world situations makes your response more impactful.
Example: “This has taught me to be more flexible and not get discouraged when things don’t go as planned.”
Tip: Mention specific scenarios where you’ve used what you’ve learned to handle challenges or improve yourself.
3. Focus on Growth
Talk about how these lessons have contributed to your personal development. This shows the interviewer that your hobby is more than just an activity—it’s a tool for growth.
Example: “I’ve also learned the importance of practice—every time I draw, I get a little better, and it reminds me that improvement takes time and effort.”
Tip: Highlight how your hobby has made you more disciplined, patient, or open-minded.
4. Emphasize Positive Attitudes Toward Mistakes
Discuss how your hobby has helped you develop a healthier mindset toward mistakes or setbacks.
Example: “Sometimes, those mistakes actually turn into interesting parts of the artwork.”
Tip: Acknowledge the value of learning from mistakes, as it demonstrates resilience and optimism—qualities schools admire.
5. Connect Lessons to Broader Values
Relate what you’ve learned to broader life principles, like the importance of perseverance, embracing imperfection, or valuing the journey over the destination.
Example: “It’s helped me realize that things don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful, and that sometimes, the process is more important than the final result.”
Tip: Show that you’re able to reflect deeply and draw meaningful conclusions from your experiences.
6. Be Authentic and Personal
Share your lessons in a way that feels genuine and specific to you. Avoid generic answers by focusing on your unique experiences and perspectives.
Example: “Every time I draw, I get a little better, and it reminds me that improvement takes time and effort.”
Tip: Use personal stories or examples to make your response more relatable and memorable.
7. Practice Balancing Specificity and Brevity
Be clear and concise when describing the lessons, but include enough detail to make your response engaging.
Example: “Mistakes actually taught me to be more flexible and creative, which I now apply to other areas of my life.”
8. Show Enthusiasm for Your Hobby
Speak with genuine excitement to show how much your hobby means to you and how it has enriched your life.
Question 4: Do you see yourself continuing this activity in the future?
👩🏫Teacher:
Alright, last question! Do you see yourself continuing this activity in the future?
👧Student:
Absolutely! Art has become such an important part of my life that I can’t imagine giving it up. I want to keep improving and maybe even explore new forms of art, like digital drawing or sculpture. I feel like there’s always something new to learn, and that keeps me excited about it. Plus, since it helps me relax and express myself, I think it will always be something I turn to, even as I get older.
👩🏫Teacher:
“That’s wonderful! It sounds like art will always have a special place in your life, not just as a hobby but as something meaningful.
👧Student:
Yes, exactly! It’s more than just a pastime for me—it’s a way to keep growing and stay connected to myself. I’m excited to see how it will evolve with me in the future.
1. Express Your Enthusiasm
Show genuine excitement about your hobby and make it clear that it’s something you love and plan to continue.
Example: “Absolutely! Art has become such an important part of my life that I can’t imagine giving it up.”
Tip: Use strong, positive language to demonstrate your passion and commitment, such as “I can’t imagine my life without it” or “It’s something I’ll always cherish.”
2. Highlight Future Goals
Discuss specific ways you’d like to develop or expand on this hobby in the future. This shows that you’re forward-thinking and eager to grow.
Example: “I want to keep improving and maybe even explore new forms of art, like digital drawing or sculpture.”
Tip: Mention realistic goals that demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to learn, which are qualities schools value.
3. Show the Hobby’s Lifelong Value
Explain how your hobby is more than just a pastime—it’s a meaningful part of who you are and something that will stay with you as you grow.
Example: “Since it helps me relax and express myself, I think it will always be something I turn to, even as I get older.”
Tip: Emphasize the emotional or practical benefits of the activity and how they align with your future aspirations.
4. Connect the Hobby to Personal Growth
Show how continuing this activity will contribute to your long-term development. Schools appreciate students who are reflective and growth-oriented.
Example: “It’s more than just a pastime for me—it’s a way to keep growing and stay connected to myself.”
Tip: Relate your hobby to qualities like creativity, resilience, or emotional well-being to illustrate its significance.
5. Mention Eagerness to Evolve
Explain how your interest in the hobby will evolve over time. This demonstrates flexibility and a desire to keep learning.
Example: “I feel like there’s always something new to learn, and that keeps me excited about it.”
Tip: Talk about your curiosity to try new techniques or explore different areas related to your hobby.
6. Use Specific Examples
Provide examples of how you’ve already started planning for the future with this hobby, such as upcoming projects, classes, or long-term goals.
Example: “I’m excited to take art classes in the future to improve my skills, and I’m even considering entering an art competition.”
Tip: Mention plans that align with your passion to make your response more concrete and believable.
7. Frame It as a Lifelong Journey
Describe your hobby as something that will grow and change with you throughout your life. This adds depth to your answer and shows maturity.
Example: “I’m excited to see how it will evolve with me in the future.”
Tip: Use phrases like “lifelong passion” or “constant in my life” to convey your long-term commitment.
8. Reflect Confidence and Optimism
Speak confidently and positively about your future with this hobby. This leaves a lasting impression of your dedication.
Example: “Art will always have a special place in my life, not just as a hobby but as something meaningful.”
Tip: Avoid hesitation or uncertainty in your tone to show that you’re sure about your passion and its role in your future.
9. Relate It to Your Academic or Career Goals (If Applicable)
If relevant, link your hobby to future aspirations. This shows that your hobby has practical value in addition to being enjoyable.
Example: “In the future, I might even consider a career in design or the arts, so this is something I’ll keep building on.”
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