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Top Podcasts for College Students
By
Cait Williams
Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
Podcasts are a great way to stay up to date with news and learn new things while listening to stories, but did you know that they also could be a valuable tool in your college journey? Podcasts for college students have certainly grown in popularity over the past several years, so there are a variety of listening options. In this article, we’ll look at which podcasts might be beneficial for you!
Why listen to podcasts?
Though we briefly said that podcasts are a great way to learn and listen to news, you still might be feeling like they’re not worth your time. So, let’s start this article with a quick note about podcasts.
First, you might not like podcasts, and if that’s the case, that’s okay–they aren’t for everyone. Some people prefer books or reading the news instead of listening to it. However, for some of you, podcasts may be all you listen to. Perhaps you even dream of hosting your own podcast some day! If that’s the case, this article will highlight some grade A podcasts that you should consider incorporating into your daily life. Okay, now let’s jump in and look at the podcasts we recommend!
Financial podcasts
Finances can be a confusing and scary topic that you must deal with as you become an adult. Perhaps you are already thinking about creating a budget as a college student? Maybe you are thinking about investing early? Keep reading to learn about a podcast that might help you feel a little better about finances and not having it all figured out!
The College Investor
Learning about investing, college loans, and how to grow your wealth as a young student is just the tip of the iceberg for the College Investor podcast! Originally based on their blog, this podcast is basically an audio version of the blog, which means everything you want to know can be found in a written format as well!
Also see: How to make money in college
Self-improvement
Becoming curious about how you can improve your studying and productivity as a college student is a great thing to do! Podcasts have made it that much easier to explore those curiosities and help you grow as a person. Put one on while you get ready in the morning, listen to it while you work out, or turn it on during just about any other activity!
The Inforium (AKA The College Info Geeks)
Whether you want to learn about study tips, finances, or how to get a job you love, The Inforium can help you explore all of that. If the voices on this podcast sound familiar, it’s because they are! The Inforium is the rebranding of a podcast called The College Info Geeks. The podcasts’ hosts Thomas Frank and Martin Boehme changed their podcast’s name to welcome a more diverse audience. While their content is helpful for college students, they wanted other students, both older and younger, to feel that they could benefit from their podcast!
Also read: Communications major overview
Tiny Leaps, Big Changes
With almost a thousand episodes TLBC will have something for everyone! The host Gregg Clunis wants to make self-improvement and development easy by exploring our day to day behaviors. And, with episode lengths being between 10-15 minutes, it’s easy to listen to a few episodes at a time!
Unlocking Us
Looking to learn about how you can become a better you through your emotions? Unlocking Us host, Brené Brown, is a researcher and storyteller with a goal of helping people understand the connection between vulnerability and courage. Her podcast discusses everything from her own experiences and troubles to some of the most groundbreaking research about psychology and human behavior. Guests on Unlocking Us range from highly respected scientists to actors and directors!
Cait Williams
Student author
Ohio University
Related: How to get involved in college
News
Staying up to date with the news can be hard as a student. You already have plenty to read and research, right? Adding the news into that mix might push you over the edge, but what if you could listen to the news? Below are two podcasts from highly vetted media that we recommend for staying up to date with current events!
The Daily
The Daily is just what it sounds like: a daily podcast that sums up the news of the day in a concise twenty minute format. It’s the perfect show to listen to in the morning or on the way to class. It’s released five days a week by New York Times Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise.
Potamic Watch
Discussing the latest news from Washington, DC, this podcast is hosted by the Wall Street Journal. In less than a half hour, you can learn what’s happening in the nation’s capital.
Also see: Should students get a credit card?
Education
If you’re the type of person who just can’t get enough new knowledge, even after going to lectures all week, then check out these podcasts listed here! They discuss some of the most diverse topics with real life experts!
Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders
This one is for the business majors! This podcast was brought to you by Stanford University. This weekly podcast highlights entrepreneurs and the developing ideas and lessons they have learned. You don’t have to listen to this podcast in order, which means if there’s a specific name or entrepreneurial topic that catches your eye, give it a listen!
TED Talks Daily
Every weekday TED Talks Daily brings you topics that span from how we can live as happier people to artificial intelligence and everything in between. Each episode features clips from real TED talks and expert input on the topic.
Stuff You Should Know
Have you ever wondered how easy bake ovens work? Or why we experience emotional pain? On Stuff You Should Know, Chuck and Josh will answer all your questions and more! For students who just can’t get enough knowledge, this is a podcast for you. Listen to it on your walk between classes, your commute to campus, or while you’re doing dishes! With every episode, you are guaranteed to learn something new!
Don’t miss: Tips for dealing with homesickness in college
Look for local podcasts
Podcasts are becoming more popular as resources to create such media become more available. It’s not uncommon for colleges, local radio stations, and local media outlets to have their own podcasts. If you’re looking for a new show, try looking local first, especially if podcasting is something you yourself are interested in. You never know what local podcasts may offer internships or are looking for local people to interview!
Don’t miss: Top communications scholarships
Try looking by major
The last note we’ll make as we close out today is to look for podcasts related to your major. Podcasts are also becoming more specialized, which means if you’re a chemical engineer or a business major, there’s likely something specific for you out there! Most students want to know more about how to choose a major, and if they can do so while on a run, all the better!
Frequently asked questions about podcasts
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Is having a podcast good for college?
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