How to Study
Of all the tips I learned about studying through this latest read, the part that resonated with me the most was the process of listening when you study. Listening to: authors, presenters, lectures, different perspectives, and new information. And the results of not listening was impacting when Rowntree talked about Einstein refusing new scientific information because it didn’t fit his paradigm, even though the new information is what guides modern science today. How much more could he have discovered if he was open to listening and accepting the perspective of other gifted minds? When you know so much about a topic, it can be easy to refute new information that challenges your perspective. We avoid listening because adapting to a new way of thinking can be uncomfortable or even scary.
As we develop, I have come to see humility and the wisdom to know who and what can influence you as a mark of maturity. It can be challenging to know what to refute, challenge, and critique and what to receive, accept, and allow to change your personal perspective. In the psychology world, change is also called a “crisis”, and as therapists, we spend much of our time listening and assisting people through these changes or crises as smoothly as possible to make them stronger individuals. When studying different individuals who have recovered from difficult changes, we usually find a compassionate presence who validated and listened to them without judgement through their crisis. This caused them to develop the needed resiliency to learn new life lessons and heal as they became a student of life instead of a victim to life.
Through this new educational experience, I was reminded of the importance of listening to the other voices that can influence my educational experience. I find myself grateful for my other colleagues working through the challenges of studying
and find comfort in the fact that I am not alone. We are in this together as we work through the crises of changing, growing and studying new paradigms and perspectives that often challenge what we’ve known. Anxiety, uncertainty, and confusion are all a part of the process, but we are eased as we find comfort and support from those around us. Listening to yourself and others, and responding compassionately to the challenges of learning will make the study process easier and more successful.
Although listening is significant to the learning process, it is not always easy to do, as confirmed by Rowntree. Sometimes we avoid listening to people because our brains process faster than the person talking (Kindle, 3727). A client came to mind as I was reading this. Being a fast processor with a noisy brain, it can be challenging for me to be quiet and listen to a full thought before responding, but it is especially challenging for me to listen to a deliberate processor. One gentleman I work with is a very deliberate processor and demands a 20-second delay (I know because I have counted) before answering a question. As he gazes back at me, those 20 seconds seem like 20 minutes as I wait in restrained anticipation for his delayed response. But when I do have the patience to listen to his response, I have always been rewarded with profound insight that continues to guide us in his therapy. To resist the impulse to speak instead of listen, I become a student of him and I am rewarded with an enriching learning experience. Through this reading, I have resolved to practice the art of listening so as to enhance my study skills and learning process, even when it’s challenging.
About the Author
Jennifer Dean-Hill
12 responses to “How to Study”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Hi Jennifer,
I drew to your point on “noisy brain.” I never thought of it that way. My mind is always talking even when I go to sleep. It is a major challenge at times when I am trying to focus on reading.
Please let me know how you are able to listen with a noisy brain. I need ideas.
Tips for listening with a noisy brain: sit in a quiet place with no distractions, play with silly putty or something to work with your hands, chew gum, doodle, have drink nearby, have creative outlet…are just a few.
Humility is key! It can be challenging to admit that we just do not know everything about anything…LOL
It is imperative that we keep our minds and hearts open. I have found that some of the most monumental learning experiences I have ever had in my life were in times where I just listened and remained open. I look back and wonder what my life would be like now if I had not taken the time to do that. So grateful that I did and continue to do so.
In addition to being open, I too, struggle with how my brain quickly processing information. I have to listen to HS when he tells me “just sit and listen” even when I have something of value to say. It is not about what I have to say in that moment but more about what He wants me to hear in that moment. 🙂
Beautiful….yes that stillness is so hard for me to do to hear God’s voice. It’s probably why He talks to me in my dreams because I’m finally quiet!
Jen, great post but especially two things I would like to respond to:
“…we usually find a compassionate presence who validated and listened to them without judgement through their crisis.” Growing up in an abusive home, my sibs and I had all the usual guilt. We had an aunt who would just walk with us and let us talk. I’m sure she was the compassionate presence that you talk about. Learning to listen is something we can do that may help people more than we know and may have to wait until we get to Heaven to find out all of the ways we helped.
“Being a fast processor with a noisy brain, it can be challenging for me to be quiet and listen…” Like Christal I agree that humility is the key. I think you hit on one of the key things for life long learning. Thanks for your insights.
Jennifer, I must confess that you identified and area in my life that is a bit of a struggle. Back when I was working as a counselor, I was a pretty good listener as I sat one on one in a formal setting. I think that I still am when I do pastoral counseling. But in the hustle and bustle environment of a multi-staff church, my brain (and mouth) is always moving at a pace much faster that is wise. Thanks for the reminder that careful listening takes discipline.
I hear you Stu…counseling is good practice for listening but sometimes I have listening fatigue and I’m worn out with listening. To listen without thinking what to say next is a challenging too, especially when my clients expect me to say something profound:).
Great post Jennifer!
“To resist the impulse to speak instead of listen, I become a student of him and I am rewarded with an enriching learning experience.” What an excellent example of learning from one another. We can even learn from others in their silence.
I remember when I first got to the Czech Republic and couldn’t speak Czech. Students would talk and talk to me in Czech and part broken English. I didn’t get half of the things they said and I could only respond occasionally with a few words. I mostly just smiled and nodded. It wasn’t until years later that I found out that I had a reputation as a great listener! Haha! Knowing myself quite well, that just was not the case. Talking is how you get things done, or so I thought. Since then I’ve worked hard at being a good listener. I’m not even close, but I’m working on it. I think that a great leader of people is not summed up by their financial successes, the buildings they’ve built or the organizations they’ve created. A great leader is one who positively impacts the people they are privileged to influence. You can’t influence unless you listen.
Thanks Jim for listening to me in my post. See you are a great listener, and I enjoyed our conversations in London.
Great thoughts Jennifer. I think we should make you the group therapist! We all have much to learn from each other, and can all get better at listening. Our family loves watching Frasier – “I’m listening”.
The flip side of compassionate and non-judgmental listening, of course, is critical and “judgmental” thinking, whereby we are called to make judgments about what we are hearing and reading, and form opinions and critical evaluations.
Fraiser is great!
Yes, good point about the flip side. I’m finding I have to develop that more since my job is so much about validating people and helping them to feel accepted. Funny irony I find myself in now. Looking forward to our next read….
I’m sorry, were you talking? 😉
My tendency when someone is speaking is to begin forming my response to them, before they even finish, and thus sometimes even missing what they’re actually saying. I appreciate (and am convicted) by his call and your challenge for us to listen; and be patient as others respond to us.