Podcasts For College Students | The Odyssey Online

Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Arts Entertainment

6 Reasons College Students Should Listen To Podcasts

"Most people that I know are interested in on-demand stuff; podcasts is essentially audio Netflix." -Jordan Harbinger

Lindsey Bronder

Sep 25, 2018

University of Dayton

143

6 Reasons College Students Should Listen To Podcasts

https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-beautiful-blur-casual-374703/

In This Article:

Freshman year me would have scoffed at the idea of celebrating International Podcast Day on September 30th. I used to think that podcasts were long and boring, but I could not have been more wrong.

When Spotify quietly began adding podcasts, I decided to trust Spotify's rankings and give a few a try. Now I listen to several podcasts regularly and find myself anxiously awaiting the release of the next episode. As now a 'super listener,' you can almost always find me with my headphones in and a podcast on as I go about my day.

As a college student, I have found that podcasts have had several surprising benefits such as:

1. Podcasts are free entertainment you can listen to anywhere!

I started listening to podcasts while walking around campus and working on homework. With options to download for listening offline, you are no longer constrained by data limits or wifi.

Did I mention they are FREE? Podcasts are often compared to audiobooks, but podcasts with their endless options for free seem to be the better deal with audiobooks available around $15 each. So there is no risk in trying out podcasts and finding one that works for you!

2. Podcasts are perfect for passing time.

I have found podcasts to be just as entertaining as watching my fave TV shows, but now don't have to look at the screen leaving me free to focus. They are a great way to pass time while doing mindless chores, letting you immerse yourself in conversations or stories making you forget you are actually washing dishes. (Or as you do homework...)

3. Podcasts can provide great background noise.

Sometimes listening to someone talk can be relaxing and help you focus. There are podcasts like the "Sleep Meditation" podcast that provides ambient sounds like a coffee shop that I like to pop on as I study to drown out all other distractions. In "Nothing Much Happens," Kathryn Nicolai calmly narrates bedtimes stories of everyday situations where nothing much happens like being in a kitchen during a storm or a walk in the woods. As a college student, this really helps me to fall asleep quickly and make the most out of my time to sleep.

4. Podcasts are usually conversations instead of stories.

Except for the meditation podcasts, most podcasts consist of conversations than story narration. The back-and-forth seems more natural and makes you feel more immersed. The conversations make me feel like I am not alone and I feel like I am actually friends with the hosts. I feel like I really know Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark of the "My Favorite Murder" podcast because of their open discussions on mental health and their interactions with fans in their minisodes where they read 'Hometown' murders or stories their listeners send in.

5. Podcasts come in many different genres.

With such a wide variety of genres and even subsets within genres, you are bound to find a podcast that fits your style and interests. Podcasts like "My Favorite Murder" and "And That's Why We Drink" are perfect for fans of true crime who enjoy shows like Forensic Files and Buzzfeed Unsolved. Both are also comedy podcasts with the hosts giving funny spins on otherwise scary stories. Rooster Teeth is known for their gaming podcasts and Barstool Sports is, well, known for their podcasts on sports.

6. Podcasts allow you to learn about a subject or stay up to date on news.

Podcasts are more than entertainment, they are also educational. NPR's podcasts are a great way to stay up to date on news. With "TED Talks Daily", you now have access to more TED Talks that are short, sweet and to the point with informed speakers giving you their insight on a subject. Another great podcast is "Stuff You Should Know" where Josh and Chuck tell you about common things and how they work. These are perfect for the college student who wants to grow personally and/or professionally. Plus, you will also have random facts up your sleeve to wow your friends with or win at trivia!

I hope you will be entertained and learn something new!

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

7 Experiences All Girls With Resting Bitch Face Have Had

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

University of South Florida

1321

girl

Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

458

my heart just pooped its pants

Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less

Adulting 101: In Sickness And In Self

Everybody hurts sometimes.

Georgia State University

387

you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text

Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

1143

university

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

1585

college shirt

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Facebook Comments