May 2003 Issue
Student Study Skills Tips
By
Robin York, Chemeketa Community College
Email: yorr@exchange.chemeketa.edu
Listening and being "really present” in class
Good listening requires, first of all, a positive attitude toward the
instructor and the subject being taught. Remember you must always think about
ways in which a particular topic is interesting and important to learn. Focus on
the content that is being covered, instead of faking attention and yielding to
distractions.
Good listeners know how to focus on selected information to the omission of
everything else. This means attending to the instructor’s verbal messages and
making the correct response, such as answering questions, asking questions and
taking notes.
Being “really present” in a class requires effort. It is an active practice, not
a passive process. The listener’s eyes should focus on the speaker. Sitting
upright indicates an eagerness to learn, plus helps students move and respond to
the instructor. Students must make every effort to maintain mental alertness!
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