Improving Your Listening Skills

Many students complain that they listen to the lecture but are unable to retain the information that was presented.  The reason for this: lack of mastering the art of listening.  Listening is a skill, and a tricky one at that.  University students are confronted with new platforms of listening and challenged to self-teach themselves things they would have never had to do before.  Utilizing one’s own listening skills, and honing them to the best of their abilities, will help students repeat and summarize information, identify key points, and communicate that information in a clear way once they have received it. 

What Stops Us From Listening?

One always has to take the time to listen, before they can actually hear what is happening.  Good listening requires a completely blank canvas.  No need to think about what you are having for supper tonight, or the plans you have for this weekend, it is time to clear your mind.  Effective listening requires the ability to manage what happens in your mind.  Often many barriers in the listening process include anger, fear, prejudice, language differences, boredom, or even the lack of an attention span.  Being able to get a grip of your own mind, and take down those barriers is the first step.
 

Don’t Just Listen, Speak Up!

Good listeners do not always just sit there silently receiving the thoughts of others.  Effective and good listeners respond to the thoughts and feelings other have about the information being discussed.  The speaker will give both verbal and nonverbal clues to their audience, to make sure they are listening.  Giving feedback about the subject matter is a great way to actively listen; verbal feedback is best when stated, not questioned.  Statements will paraphrase what one has heard and will confirm to the speaker they are being clear about their information; from there they will delve deeper or explain further on the subject. 

A Few Tips

Some tips for good listening, be attentive.  Of course, how simple!  This is not so easy for individuals with a shorter attention span.  Listening to key words and picturing what the speaker says will help you in being attentive, and keep your mind active.  Reading facial expressions, gestures, and the posture of the speaker will also help you stay attentive, and give you an idea of the content as well.  The best way to listen, actively give feedback.  This will help the speaker adjust their presentation to the needs of the audience. 
Following a few small tips such as these will aid you in being a great listener indeed.