How to Study History as a Hobby (Without Falling Asleep)
When most people hear “history,” they think: boring lectures, old dudes with beards, and dates that feel like passwords you’ll never remember.
But what if we told you that studying history doesn’t have to feel like reading your boring cousin’s wedding card?
It can be wild, emotional, scandalous, dramatic — basically better than any Netflix drama.
Wait… Why Study History for Fun?
If you’re thinking, “I’m not even a history student, why bother?” — here’s the tea:
- You understand how we ended up where we are (climate, colonization, TikTok bans — all of it).
- You become the smart friend who casually references ancient Rome during chai breaks.
- You spot patterns — and realize history isn’t about dates. It’s about people.
“But I Don’t Know Where to Start!”
No worries, we got you. Here’s a fun, scannable guide to help you make history your next big hobby (no exams involved).
1. Pick Your Era (Not All of History, Please)
Trying to study all of history is like trying to watch every drama Hum TV ever made — exhausting.
Start small:
- Ancient Egypt (for mythology + mummies)
- World War II (if you love strategy and plot twists)
- Mughal Empire (for desi grandeur and palace politics)
- Cold War (for spies, paranoia, and KGB-level drama)
🔗 Internal link idea:
→ Dive deeper into desi history in our Pakistani Youth Guide to Forgotten Mughal Stories
2. Use YouTube, Not Just Textbooks
Textbooks are cool but… YouTube is cooler.
Some binge-worthy channels:
- CrashCourse – fast-paced, visual, beginner-friendly
- Kings and Generals – animated battles and empires
- History Dose – obscure stories with serious drama
Watch one episode a day — while eating biryani. You’re welcome.
3. Turn History into Storytime
Think of history as gossip from the past:
- Who betrayed whom?
- What royal marriage ended in disaster?
- Which general cried in his tent before battle?
Books like Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari or Destiny Disrupted (focused on Islamic history) make it super gripping.
🔗 External link:
→ Sapiens on Goodreads
→ Destiny Disrupted – A History of the Islamic World
4. Follow Historians on Social Media
Believe it or not, history Twitter and Insta is a thing.
You’ll find:
- Memes about Napoleon’s height
- Ottoman Empire aesthetics
- Threads on Partition stories
Some cool accounts:
- @thehistoryguy (TikTok)
- @raahgir_history (Pakistani history content on Insta)
- @bayeuxbroderie (weird but cool medieval memes)
5. Start a Micro-Project (It’s More Fun Than It Sounds)
Instead of passively reading, do stuff:
- Make a timeline of your favorite events
- Start a Tumblr blog on women in ancient Persia
- Design a playlist for Mughal kings if they had Spotify
Engage with it creatively — even short TikToks or mini-essays work.
6. Use Podcasts for On-the-Go Learning
Plug in history podcasts during gym, commutes, or when you’re ignoring people at weddings.
Try:
- Hardcore History by Dan Carlin (intense but gripping)
- The History Extra Podcast (British-centric, but global topics too)
🎧 Extra tip: Listen at 1.2x speed to feel like a genius.
FAQs: Studying History for Fun
Is studying history without exams even useful?
Absolutely. It builds critical thinking, cultural awareness, and a sick sense of perspective. Also, you’ll kill it at trivia night.
Can I study Pakistani history as a hobby?
Yes, and you should! Start with the Mughal era, the 1857 rebellion, or even Partition stories from your own family.
→ Check out our post: Lahore in the 1940s: Stories You’ve Never Heard
I’m bad at remembering dates — is that a problem?
Not at all. Focus on stories, people, and causes. Dates are just background noise (unless you’re prepping for CSS).
Final Thoughts: History Is Basically Time Travel (Without a Visa)
Studying history as a hobby isn’t about becoming a nerd. It’s about understanding where you come from — and how wild the human journey has been.
You’ll laugh, cry, cringe, and maybe scream at a few kings for making dumb decisions — but that’s the fun.
So… what part of history are you going to explore first?
Tell us in the comments — and tag your bookworm friend who needs a new obsession!
