Effective Listening

Since most of what you are required to learn in school is going to be communicated to by a teacher or professor it is imperative that you learn to list. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that hearing and listening are the same thing – they are very different. When you listen to what someone saying you are not only hearing what they are saying you are also processing what they are saying. Here are few things you can do to be active listener.

Give Attention to Meaning

Pay attention not only to the words being spoken by your teacher but to the thoughts and messages they convey. Identify the main idea, concept or subject being addressed and the relating issues. Listen for explanations, descriptions and clarifications. Again, don't just hear the words. Listen to the meanings being communicated.

Use effective note taking style

Poor listeners try writedown everything, believing a detailed outline and effective notes are the same thing. They get frustrated when they cannot see the meaning behind what they are writing down or they go to review their notes and don't understand the concepts that were taught in class. Effective listeners adjust their note-taking to the lecture style. They listen to whats important, they try to understand concepts and they take notes that clarify, organize and reiterated important details of the lecture.

Make sure you are concentrating 

Poor listeners frequently are poor concentrators. Effective listening requires that you concentrate and pay attention. Remove all thoughts of home, friends, fun and ancillary activities from you head while the teacher is speaking. Learning to focus and concentrate will help you become an effective listeners and much more effective student.

Be Ready for the class

It is difficult to listen and mentally process what you're hearing when you come to your class unprepared. If your teacher gives you a reading assignment or homework designed to prepare you to understand a topic its important that you are familiar with the topic before it is discussed in class. Being ready to listen means being prepared for each class ahead of time.

Focus on whats important

Poor listerners focus on fact. They may retain a few of those facts, but the information is usually garbled. Effective listerners focus on main ideas, fundamental concepts and vital issues.

Choose to be interested

One of the most tell tale signs of a poor listeners is that they just can't find what the teacher is talking about to be interesting. As a consquence they don't listen with real intent and often miss important topics and details being addressed. Good listeners are able to decide to be interested in the subject matter being addressed by the teacher. As a result they listen more intently and effectively.