Power through finals week with these must-listen podcasts

Finals season has finally fallen upon Rutgers, and every student knows what that means — long nights spent poring over books and online readings. But cramming in as much information as possible can quickly lead to further stress and burnout.

If you're looking for a way to make the process more enjoyable, podcasts are great to play in the background as you study or unwind. Here's a list to check out on your next study break. 

"TED Radio Hour"

If you're a fan of "TED Talks," the "TED Radio Hour" is a seamless podcast rendition of the iconic series.

The show enlists some of society's brightest minds to help answer some of life's lingering questions, for example: How do you cope with embarrassment? How can we coexist with artificial intelligence?

With a fluid format, touching on different topics and niches, this podcast leaves no stone unturned — there's bound to be an episode in its catalog that piques your interest.

"Ologies"

Ologies is a podcast created by Alie Ward that combines two genres that seemingly have nothing to do with each other — comedy and science. Bringing on guest speakers who are experts in different "-ologies," or scientific fields, the show demonstrates that you can learn things while also having fun.

While the series may seem intimidating at first, Ward and guests do their best job to distill the information for the average viewer — there's even a handy topics list to help new listeners sort through episodes and find one that most aligns with their taste. Who knows, you may find an entry that helps you get through your Biology final.

"The Broski Report with Brittany Broski"

There's been a trend in recent years of social media stars and content creators shifting away from their traditional material to podcasting. While many of the newer entries into this genre aren't worth anyone's time, "The Broski Repot with Brittany Broski" is worth investing in.

The comedy podcast, hosted by Brittany Broski, investigates a variety of pop culture topics. Past episodes have covered things like the release of Beyoncé's "COWBOY CARTER" or the world of "BookTok." Broski's witty personality and commentary are truly unmatched — If you're looking for laughs and interesting cultural takes to help you get through writing a paper, this is a great place to start.

"The TryPod"

Similar to "The Broski Report with Brittany Broski," "The TryPod" exists as an elevation of typical content creation, this time under the creativity of The Try Guys.

With weekly episodes, the comedic podcast explores the ins and outs of entertainment, while also offering a behind-the-scenes look into their other content and each member's personality. With more than 250 episodes, there's enough material to get you through the rest of the semester and potentially any summer courses.

"The Food Chain"

For fans of food and cooking, "The Food Chain" adds some spice to the usual podcast format. In addition to offering some insights into the science and politics of the food industry, it also offers a global perspective.

Recent topics of the British Broadcasting Corporation series include school lunches, the popularity of dumplings and TV chef shows. If you're taking a quick snack break, "The Food Chain" is a great option for entertainment.

"The Mindful Minute"

When studying, effective time management is just as crucial as retaining the information itself. To ensure that you can recall important details when it comes time for the exam, prioritize "mindfulness."

If you aren't sure where to start, "The Mindful Minute" is the perfect podcast for you.

Hosted by meditation teacher Meryl Arnett, this series explores different meditation and mindfulness practices to help listeners relax and incorporate more awareness into their everyday lives. Whether you want a mini-meditation or a full, hour-long listening experience, this podcast is worth checking out.

When your little study corner at the library starts to feel boring and drab, try putting one of these podcasts on in the background. Whether you're a podcast newbie or a longtime listener, hopefully, this list helps you find something new to help you spice up your study sessions and brain breaks.