Students Study skills Listening skills
Listening is one of the most important skills you can develop to do better in college/university.
It is the second most difficult skill with reading being the most difficult.
In order to improve your listening skills in class it is important to concentrate on what is being said at all times - try not to day-dream!
Remember, you cannot listen if you are talking.
Before class:
Think about what the class is going to be about.
What were the main points covered in the previous class?
Review any assignments/homework due for this class.
During class:
Relate what you have already learned to what is being taught.
Does your own general knowledge provide any information about the subject being taught?
Take notes on the main points covered.
Concentrate fully on the subject being taught.
If you can, sit near the front of the class. There will be fewer distractions and you will concentrate better.
After class:
Review your notes and think about what was covered in class.
Sometimes re-writing notes can help your understanding.
Some people like to underline or highlight important areas.
In Summary:
Good listening means that you are paying attention.
Try to hear what is being said, not what you want to hear.
Think ‘around’ the topic and ‘between the lines’.
Relate it to what you already know.
Identify the main points.
Listen carefully to what the lecturer says about your assignment and write it down immediately.
Listen for these essential phrases from the lecturer:
- ‘This is important…’
- ‘It is essential that you know this…’
- ‘You will need to know this for the exam/test…’
