6 Ways to Be More Productive with Audiobooks, and 5 Places to Get Them

In the past few years, audiobooks have become all the rage. Every other YouTube video and podcast is sponsored by Audible or another audiobook company, and you’ve likely considered getting a subscription to one of these services.

Although they can be expensive, audiobooks have changed my outlook on productivity and organization. They help me to get more done throughout the day and make me feel more confident and positive about the work I do. Check out six ways that audiobooks can make you more productive and five resources to get cheap and free audiobooks.

1. Read More

Listening to audiobooks can inspire students to read more books. Whether they are reading for school or personal pleasure, audiobooks make reading more accessible and manageable.

Any time that would usually be spent listening to music can be turned into an opportunity to read. If you are someone who has a long list of books to read but never manages to get to them, this medium might be the solution for you.

2. Clean Up

In addition to chipping away at your “to be read” pile of books, audiobooks can make daily tasks more enjoyable. Doing laundry, washing dishes and cleaning your room are not always the most fun, especially after a long day of classes, work and extracurricular activities. Listening to an audiobook while doing work can make these boring chores more exciting.

An hour of chores can feel like half the time when your mind is focused on a book. Personally, when listening to an audiobook, I am more likely to do my chores more regularly and get them done faster.

3. Work Out

Many college students struggle with getting to the gym and finding motivation to stay fit. What if you could guarantee your hour run was actually an hour of reading?

Being able to spend some time by yourself working on both personal and mental fitness can be extremely productive for students. No matter what you are doing in the gym, Percy Jackson can always come along for the ride.

4. Commute

Whether you walk to class, take a train or get in your car, audiobooks can make the journey more bearable. Commutes can be frustratingly long and seem like a waste of time, but if you’re hanging out with Harry Potter, it isn’t quite so bad.

Time flies when you’re reading a good book, so find some positivity on your commute by reading. When you can get two things done at once, the days feel much more productive.

5. Avoid Screens Before Bed

For most college students, it is incredibly difficult to stay away from screens at least half an hour before bed like studies suggest, but this is an important habit to create.

Reading an audiobook is a great way to ease into this lifestyle. Replace time spent watching old vines on YouTube or bingeing your favorite Netflix show with a relaxing book to give your eyes a break.

6. Feel More Productive

Listening to audiobooks makes work more exciting and can help to boost overall productivity. What if by the time you had gotten ready for the day and eaten breakfast, you had already read for an hour?

That sense of accomplishment can set the tone for the day and encourage more productivity and positivity.

Where to Get Audiobooks

Many college students are pressed for money between student loans and bills, so buying audiobooks in not always realistic. Audiobooks often cost as much as or more than physical books, and they are rarely on sale.

Subscription services can be limiting, and, if not used often enough, a complete waste of money. Luckily, there are several services that offer free audiobooks to get you into the habit.