If you don't have an immediate, vivid reason for listening to a speaker, you are an unmotivated listener.
2. Create Good Listening Environment
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.
3. Know Speaker's Goals
You can understand much better if you are able to recognize what the speaker is trying to accomplish with the talk or lecture. If possible, review the subject material ahead of the lecture.
4. Look for the Main Idea
Anticipate or identify the main idea or ideas of the presentation. Be able to differentiate between important and trivial details, facts and opinions, etc.
5. Don't Let Your Mind Wander
You can think faster than the lecturer can talk. That's one reason your mind may tend to wander. To prevent your mind from wandering, take notes.
6. Take Notes
Take notes while you listen. Even if you recognize everything being said, jot it down, because you won't remember it later unless you do. Use mind mapping approach to taking notes.
4a. Look for Ethos, Pathos, & Logos
If it is a persuasive speech, look for elements of ethos, pathos, and logos.
Exercise
Listen to President Obama's speech and make a note map showing the main idea and the supporting ideas.
Did you find elements of ethos, pathos, and logos in his speech -- if so, explain.
1a. Make It a Challenge
Treat listening as a challenging mental task. Listening to an academic lecture is not a passive act--at least it shouldn't be. You need to concentrate on what is said so that you can process the information into your notes.
5a. Stay Active
Stay active by asking mental questions. Active listening keeps you on your toes. Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you listen.
What key point is the professor making?
How does this fit with what I know from previous lectures?
How is this lecture organized?
Ask the speaker questions if you need clarifications.