How do I combat distraction in the Classroom?

This is a question that a lot of students ask at one point or another in their scholarly careers. Distractions can be internal – such as letting one’s mind wander or falling in to a trance like day dream – or external. External distractions might include watching as your neighbor shuffles his or her papers, or staring at a fellow student you find attractive.

Other external distractions might be more difficult to control. Perhaps the classroom is too hot or too cold. Try to remedy this situation by dressing appropriately before you go to class.

Do not use your notebook as a tool for distraction. A lot of students, when they get bored, will doodle in their notebooks, drawing pictures or writing poetry, in order to give the impression that they are taking notes, when in actuality they are tuning the professor out. This can be detrimental to one’s academic success in the long run, and is a habit that one must break in order to achieve greatness as a student.

What are some mental skills that can help me improve?

Listening itself is a mental challenge – and one that you may need to focus a lot of your energy on. Listening to a lecture in a classroom setting should not be viewed as a passive act. Listening requires a lot of energy and intellectual rigor. Stay actively involved by constantly writing down interesting points that the speaker is saying, and if need be, asking the professor pertinent questions when you are given the chance.

A key point of listening is processing information. As the professor is speaking, try to ask yourself questions relating to the content of what has been said. This will keep your knowledge in check and ensure that you are listening constantly to the lecture. You can also ask yourself more abstract questions, such as “Why is the lecture organized in this way?” and “How does this fit in with lectures on the subject that have been given previously?”

Your thoughts occur at a much faster rate than the professor is able to speak. Use that process to your advantage. By constantly thinking about every sentence that is uttered, this ensures that you are listening close – and will be able to retain that information at a later date.

First Page: Listening Better in School