Your Own Two Ears by Stephanie

Your Own Two Ears by Stephanie - January 2014 Scholarship Essay

It might sound silly but the first thing I do is not take notes. Just like I can remember lyrics to a song, or lines from SNL skits, I can sit in class and listen to my professor. My favorite professors will use anecdotes from their careers or current events to tie in with the lesson. Instead of scribbling or typing notes, it’s easier to just sit there and pay attention and be present in the conversation.

Reading the books are important, researching for projects is vital, but what my generation takes for granted is the spoken word… especially if the person who voicing these words is also making the test. You might say “DUH, of course it’s important to listen.” It is easy to say that, but I have compared countless tests with vary obvious answers from the lesson and classmates still miss them.

Being as I was working forty plus crazy hours at a retail store and going to school full time, I often found myself choosing between sleep and studying. I’m not going to lie, sometimes I took blissful, uninterrupted sleep. Luckily I listened and was an active participant in class and that worked to my benefit in abundance. I did study and research, but because I listened to the lectures everything connected and made more sense. Your own two ears are going to be your best study tool throughout your college career.