Learning by Listening
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Determine why what the speaker is saying is important to you. Have an immediate, vivid reason for listening to a speaker.
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If you can't hear, arrange things so you can. Move away from sources of noise-human or mechanical. Sit where you can see the speaker easily, and where other distractions are at a minimum.
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Look for the speaker's pattern of organization. In a lecture, a speaker is generally referring to notes or some other source of information. You can understand much better if you are able to recognize what the speaker's driving at and how the speaker's getting there.
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Look for the main idea or ideas of the presentation. Facts are important only as they support the speaker's points. If you have trouble distinguishing between the important and the trivial, a classmate or a tutor in the Academic Skills Center can help you.
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Listen to what the speaker is saying. Don't tune the speaker out because you don't like something about them or the message. Be sure you understand something and why you do not like the message before you reject it.
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Don't let your mind wander. Your thoughts move far more rapidly than the swiftest mouth, and the urge to stray is tempting. Your attention span can be increased, however, through deliberate effort. Continue to practice the habit of attention and don't be discouraged by early failures.
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Take notes while you listen. Even if you recognize everything being said, jot it down.