Shut Up and Listen! By Sara Neiman

How many times have you sat in class for an hour and a half only to leave not recalling anything the professor said? Or has one of your friends ever told you a boring story while you zoned out only have them calling your name trying to get your attention? Yea, me too.

Fortunately, I am going to give you some tips on how to bring your so-so listening skills to A+ effective hearing and comprehension abilities.

1. Use eye contact and positive body language. Avoid looking at your watch, cell phone, or other people around you. Showing the person that you are listening gives him or her respect while also helping you to pay attention.

2. Ask questions. Inquiring about the discussed subject matter helps both the listener and talker stay engaged in the conversation. However, avoid answering a question with another question. This may make you appear to be aloof or with hidden motivations. No one appreciates a sneaky person.

3. Avoid making assumptions about what the person is talking about. Because most people can listen quicker than most can talk, it can be easy to misinterpret the talker’s choice of words. This is especially important when having a discussion with someone you disagree. Listen to everything the person has to say, taking it at face value, then, once the person has finished, try to understand the idea they are trying to convey as a whole.


With these quick listening tips, you are well on your way to getting that A in class because you paid attention and having more friends because you didn’t rudely stare at them while you were thinking about something else.