During the pandemic we had to adjust to changes and try new things. One of the things I tried was listening to podcasts. Before the pandemic I didn’t find a reason to listen to podcasts, because I didn’t want to hear people having a conversation. I thought it would be boring, so I didn’t listen to it. When COVID-19 hit, I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands.
I played video games. I was so bored I actually started reading a book. It was a light novel, I liked it, but then I finished it. I was bored again. It would be months before the next volume came out. So, I decided to finally give podcasts a chance.
I picked a podcast of topics I liked and just started to listen. They were enjoyable topics, at least I think so. The first one I listened to I connected with. It was different, in a good way. At first, I started to listen, then I got into it and laughed at times, and before I knew it, it was already two hours. It was great. I actually like listening to people talk, just talk.
Then, I started going deeper and deeper. Then I discovered more interesting podcasts. And I didn’t stop there. I started surfing the web while listening to a podcast. I learned I could multitask. With this knowledge I started to play video games and listen to podcasts at the same time.
Here’s what I learned: I’m glad
I tried it. Podcasts can teach you a lot of things. You can learn, laugh and connect. So, my recommendation is — go listen to a podcast! Pick a topic you enjoy — video games, Dungeons and Dragons, photography, screenwriting — whatever you like, there’s a podcast for it. Even one for golf or politics, if you don’t find it too boring. Just sit down, look for it and discover. When you press play, the pandemic will feel far away.
ThreeSixty Fall News Team students wrote op-ed stories, then turned them into digital essays, inspired by the #360YouthVoiceChallenge, which is inspired by youth.
