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What Podcasts do College Students like?

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: March 21, 2024, Reading time: 11 minutes

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College is one of the hardest parts of our lives. You’ve got task over task, early morning classes, late-night reads, and so much more. This is why many students, 92%, depend on caffeine during their college days—it’s one of the things that keeps them going!

We know how challenging college can be, especially during your freshman year when you’re still adjusting to dorm life away from your close friends and family. Creating bonds with peers and learning new study habits is even more challenging. 

Top College Podcasts - fact
College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Podcast Popularity

Among the most popular ways college students cope is by listening to podcasts. According to Oberlo, the number of people who listen to podcasts is rising and is predicted to reach 504.9 million by 2024. This well-liked model engages college students and transforms the way we consume information.

Podcasts are becoming popular in colleges, showcasing expertise and knowledge students can relate to. This audio media is also a great way to reach prospective college students, in addition to helping current ones cope. A good podcast can make a big difference in a college student’s life. 

There’s a Podcast for Everyone

There is a podcast for every college student, with hundreds available covering a diverse range of themes. Whether you’re interested in pop culture, student life, career advice, or academic issues, there’s a podcast for you. Here are ten of the most sought-after college podcasts in the United States. 

Top College Podcasts for Students

The 5 am Miracle

The 5 am Miracle

Rising before the sun has completely risen has been praised throughout history for its many advantages, especially for students. Early mornings provide a unique, peaceful atmosphere that encourages serenity and concentration. Students can take advantage of this quiet period before school starts to engage in constructive activities to help them feel optimistic about the day.

The 5 am Miracle podcast, hosted by Jeff Sanders, is a valuable resource for students with tight schedules. The show focuses on managing time effectively, promoting productivity, and focusing on setting goals, boundaries, and consistency.

The podcast airs weekly and features guest speakers who share their experiences in improving personal productivity. By following these principles, students can enhance their social life and academic performance.

The Squiggly Careers

The Squiggly Careers

College is all about preparing for the future job market. The right knowledge and preparation are crucial for a smooth and challenging professional advancement, as recent graduates often face a steep learning curve.

Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper, founders of Squiggle Careers, are not just career advisors. Their unique expertise and insights provide valuable tools for college students to navigate their career journey. Their weekly episodes are a treasure trove of knowledge on work-life balance, work stress management, interpersonal relationships, and career development.

Their monthly interviews with successful professionals are a goldmine of career tips and hints. This podcast is more than just a resource- it’s a roadmap to student career success.

The College Investor

The College Investor

College students often struggle with unpaid loan debts and need financial assistance. The College Investor podcast, hosted by Robert Farrington, guides students in repaying student loans and utilizing government policies on taxes, investments, and education financing.

Farrington teaches students how to identify suitable investments, cut expenses, and commit to entrepreneurship to build substantial wealth from college.

Every episode of this podcast demonstrates Farrington’s dedication to demystifying finance and making it understandable for a younger audience, making it a must-listen for anybody hoping to protect their financial prospects while still in college.

Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio

This educational podcast, hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, is a unique platform for undergraduate listeners worldwide, focusing on the economic side of various aspects of life. It explores medical errors, personal finance, and controversial conversations.

The podcast helps listeners understand that we are not living in an all-perfect world and provides insights into behind-the-scenes deals and missions. It also explores the economic analysis of why money controls humans.

In essence, it allows students to learn about the influence of money on human behavior, highlighting the intricate relationship between individuals, societies, and financial systems and challenging listeners to question the status quo.

Brain Science

Brain Science

Brain Science hosts Dr. Ginger Campbel, who discusses the brain’s cognitive abilities in learning. He shares insights from neuroscientists on assimilation and understanding short-term and long-term memory. Understanding the human brain’s workings can help students focus better in class and deal with distractions. 

Dr. Campbell’s podcast also explores the role of emotions in learning, emphasizing their Impact on memory formation and retrieval. You’ll hear from other certified experts in educational technology and be able to understand the intersection of neuroscience and technology and its potential to revolutionize learning experiences.

Listening to Dr. Campbell’s podcasts can provide college students with effective studying and assimilation strategies. These strategies, backed by neuroscience, can instill confidence in students about their ability to improve their learning process.

Ted Talks Daily

Ted Talks Daily

“TedTalks Daily” is an educational podcast that provides diversified content on politics, science, innovations, discoveries, and inspirational speeches from experts. The range of topics covered in “TedTalks Daily” is truly expansive, from the latest advancements in science and technology to discussions on societal issues. It offers real-life issues and solutions with a high-quality audio format. 

The podcast does more than just provide analytical views on matters not explicitly discussed in classrooms. It serves as a valuable resource for students, offering notes and references for further research.

More importantly, it connects students to a broader world of ideas, fostering critical thinking and curiosity. This sparks a deeper exploration of subjects beyond their academic curriculum.

The Grown-Up Millennial

The Grown-Up Millennial

Millennials, those who were born between the years 1981 and 1996, are often considered entitled. But little does the older generation know that they face numerous challenges, too. This includes low-paying jobs, technology addiction, college debt, aging parents, discrimination, substance/alcohol/sex addiction, violence/bullying, less human interaction, and mental health issues.

Despite advancements, wages remain stagnant, and millennials often prioritize family, watching television, and using social media, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression.

With a focus on relationships, money, and health, the Grown-Up Millennial podcast, hosted by Nicolette Richardson, provides college students with insightful advice on balancing life and work in the modern age.

It includes various topics to prepare them for a fulfilling life after graduation, such as relationships, families, careers, and general well-being.

The NPR Politics Podcast

The NPR Politics Podcast

College students can benefit significantly from learning about American politics regardless of their major or future career path.

Understanding American politics equips college students with knowledge and skills for an informed, engaged, and responsible society, transcending political affiliations and ideologies and enhancing comprehension of national and global structures.

The NPR Politics Podcast is an engaging audio show that provides insights into American politics, government news updates, and more. Its unique approach makes listeners feel directly engaged, making it an excellent choice for college students seeking to understand American politics and its complexities.

The Bigger Pockets

The Bigger Pockets

America’s reputation as a land of opportunity raises questions about whether poverty can motivate individuals to make significant financial gains as adults. As seen in billionaires like Oprah Winfrey, poverty can provide advantages over the middle class and the wealthy.

Poverty can either make you stronger or beat you down. This podcast teaches college students that being poor isn’t an excuse not to grow wealth.

Hosts David Greene and Rob Abasolo teach mind-blowing real estate investing strategies and principles that even broken students can learn to take charge of their finances, promoting financial responsibility.

How To Do Everything

How To Do Everything

Humor enhances retention in students of all ages by activating the brain’s dopamine reward system, stimulating goal-oriented motivation and long-term memory. 

“How to Do Everything” is a podcast hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag, offering practical, peculiar, and entertaining tips on life’s challenges. The hosts use comedic banter to share information, ranging from trivial to essential skills. The podcast’s charm lies in its ability to find humor in everyday tasks, turning seemingly mundane tasks into opportunities for learning. 

The podcast’s diversity of topics covered is impressive, celebrating the quirky and unexpected. The podcast provides a welcome respite for those seeking a break from the ordinary, reminding us that even the most mundane tasks can be approached with humor and curiosity.

Want To Make Your Own Podcast?

College is very stressful for anyone—some college students outlet their frustrations by going out with friends for a drink or over coffee. There are, however, college students who channel their stress into podcasting. And we don’t mean just listening to podcasts. 

Social media is so widespread that you can now easily create your podcast and publish it via Spotify, iTunes, Podchaser, iHeartRadio, and more.

Some audio platforms, such as Buzzsprout, Podbean, and Spreaker, allow you to publish your podcasts for free. However, unlike paid uploading platforms, free ones often have limitations, such as upload and time limits. 

Here are some valuable tips if you want to start your podcast to help college students or attract more students.

#1 Ask yourself.

Before anything else, you should ensure you’re ready to voice out. Do you want to go solo on your podcast, or do you want a team? 

Going solo allows for complete creative control. On the other hand, creating a podcast with a team brings diversity and collaboration into the mix. Another option is a hybrid approach, combining solo episodes with team-based ones. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of both worlds.

#2 Think of your content.

This is probably the fun part of creating your podcast! The most common podcasts in colleges explore topics about the stress of academics and how to cope with it. Other valuable topics include thought leadership, research, or school or region-specific issues.

#3 Time to record your content!

This is where you let your heart out. You can record from the heart, or you can write a script so you don’t miss out on any important key points. If your podcast is about inspiring college students, it’s often best to do this by heart to really connect with them.

You’ll need a microphone, audio recording software, and a squirt place without audible distractions. 

#4 Edit and save.

You don’t want to get too excited and upload your content without replaying it and editing it. Listen well to your key points and make sure you’re satisfied with your content and the audio’s quality. Make a note of the moments when you feel like things are getting a little clingy, and then use your editing program to fix them later.

#5 Upload!

There are several audio media apps where you can upload your content. Among the most popular includes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and SoundCloud.

Once you’re done uploading, you need to promote your work. You can promote your podcast by sharing episodes on social media, linking to your website, including a link in marketing emails, and writing a blog post with a transcript for accessibility and search engine optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a podcast?

A “podcast” is, technically, a series of audio files sent via an RSS feed centered on a theme people can relate to or learn from. Some feature interviews with celebrities. The average podcast lasts about 25-30 minutes, similar to the average American commute, making it a versatile information source.

Should college students listen to podcasts?

Podcasts offer college students flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, accessibility, and informal learning. They cover diverse topics, allowing students to learn during commutes, exercise sessions, and household chores.

Podcasts also break down geographical barriers, making learning more accessible and relatable, extending beyond textbooks and classrooms.

What’s the Impact of college podcasts on students?

Podcasts offer college students an alternative learning method, enhancing their understanding of complex subjects and encouraging critical thinking.

They also help optimize time, expose students to diverse perspectives, promote personal development, and inspire them to set higher goals, enhancing their overall learning experience. 

Students can enhance their learning experience by incorporating diverse podcasts into their routines, gaining fresh perspectives, and fostering personal and intellectual growth as the podcasting landscape expands.

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