Summer was great: fun, relaxing, and stress-free. And now that school has started, it’s time to get back into the swing of things to ensure a strong, successful year.

There are many things that we know we should be doing: listening to what the teacher says, focusing during work time, keeping the socialization to a minimum, doing our homework, studying for tests, etc. But all of those things are so general; let’s get a bit more specific.

During class, it helps to remember the acronym SLANT:

S: Sit Up

This seems obvious: in school, you’re generally in a chair at a table, not lying on the ground or chilling on a couch. But think about how often you relax in that chair, lean backward, put your feet on the chair in front of you, rest your chin in your hand, lay your head on your arm, slouch down into the seat. None of those behaviors are conducive to focusing intently or doing the best you absolutely can. Think about sitting up straight with your back against the chair and your feet flat on the floor. Not only is this much better for your overall posture, but it will also benefit your concentration and work ethic.

L: Lean Forward & Listen

Leaning forward is a crucial component of active listening. First, it helps you stay engaged in what the speaker is saying: it is more difficult to tune someone out if you are leaning toward them while they’re speaking. Second, it shows the speaker that you are paying attention and that you care about what they are saying.

A: Ask/Answer Questions

Another key aspect of active listening is to ask and answer questions. Again, this demonstrates to the speaker (the teacher, for instance) that you are paying attention and that you are engaged in the material. Answering questions shows that you understand the concepts being discussed, and asking questions shows your curiosity and desire to know more in order to grasp the ideas at a deeper level.

N: Nod Your Head

Much like when you’re leaning forward, nodding your head is another non-verbal characteristic of active listening. Again, when you are nodding during someone’s presentation, you are focused on and understanding what they are saying, and these nonverbal cues prove that to the speaker. Accordingly, if you are not nodding your head, the teacher may perceive that you do not understand the material and may therefore continue with the same content, standards that you already know.

T: Track the Speaker / Take Notes

If the teacher is moving around, your eyes should be following. If the teacher is pointing to an item on the board, you should look that direction. If the teacher nods toward the door, your gaze should be directed there. Tracking the speaker often takes a conscious effort, but it is pivotal in concentration and, along with many of these other strategies, active listening.

Additionally, you should always take notes. You know that you need to write down notes if the teacher includes a presentation with their lecture. And you know that you need to complete guided note-taking handouts. But you should be taking notes throughout the entire class as well: on the assignment sheet when the teacher explains it more in depth, in the margins of the short story, in your notebook when the teacher drops a nugget of knowledge. Research says that students retain information more effectively when they write it down by hand.

There are many, many more strategies to employ to ensure success throughout the school year, but if you start by SLANTing, your concentration, your listening, and your retention of content will surely improve.

Stay tuned for more strategies in the coming weeks.