Listen.

Classes are finally back in session (woohoo!) and I'm having a blast getting to know all of my new students. Because, when you get right down to it, my job consists almost entirely of talking to people. The act of listening/watching/observing my fellow humans has been a part of my daily life since I was a teenager--I have two degrees in Theatre, it's my job to pay attention to people.

But as we go about our daily lives, running from class to class, it is becoming more difficult to truly "listen" to other people. I watch my students moving aimlessly around campus, focusing on their cell phones, texting friends, sending e-mails, watching videos...but they rarely look at what is around them. Don't get me wrong, I consider my iPhone a technological version of crack--but it does narrow my focus to a disturbing degree.

I often tell other advisors that the main difference between my performing arts students and other students is their focus. When I meet with my arts students, they will look me in the eye when we talk. Other students (especially students interested in the health professions) often have a more difficult time "connecting"--they keep their gaze trained to the floor.

When my first year students transition to their departmental advisor, they will frequently complain that their new advisor doesn't know as much or doesn't care as much about them as I do. This is simply not the case. The only major difference is that I give the student all of my focus during advising meetings. I don't hide behind my computer monitor, I try very hard not to answer my phone during meetings, and I LISTEN. These aren't monumentally difficult things to do, but they make a huge difference to my students.

Now I would ask you, as students, to turn this theory around. How often do you give your TEACHERS all of your focus? How often do you actively LISTEN in your classes? The university requires that you turn off your cell phone in class...do you? Think about how good you feel when someone is actively listening to you...do you think your professors are capable of the same emotion? (hint: they are!) Why not give your professors some credit and actively LISTEN to the things they are trying to tell you? I can promise you that your professors will respond favorably...and you might actually learn something!