Active Listening

Contemporary Rhetoric is the first class where I was told to doodle during class. I was a bit surprised that I was given permission to do this during a lecture but I came to understand why it was important. When I am doodling I am not just focusing on what I am drawing but I am engaging myself in conversation because I am keeping my mind busy. Instead of staring off into space, I am able to stay focused in class and as a result, I participate more.

Similarly, I used a technique like active listening during a test once. To overcome my fear of test taking, I used a tinker toy to distract me from my nerves. During the test I would play with a hackey sac so the focus wasn't completely on the test. By doing this, I was able to relieve stress because I had my mind occupied without giving it a chance for nerves to settle in. 

On our first day of active listening I tried to bend wire but I dropped my paper clip about three times and my paperclip privileges were revoked by Brianna and Jesse.:) Instead of wire bending I doodle and I can focus on class better when I am doodling.