When you are in the classroom, focus your attention on the professor and the course subject matter. Do not let your mind wander. To stay focused, you may need to ask yourself mental questions such as, "What is the main point of this lecture?" or "How do the topics relate to one another?"
To better stay focused in the classroom setting, there are certain steps that you can take to enhance your listening experience. First, sit near the front of the room so that you can better hear your professor. Avoid sitting near windows or the classroom door. If your class is in the morning or late afternoon, be sure to eat so hunger will not distract you.
Do not write down every sentence that your professor says; instead, focus on the key points of the lecture. Include notations about important sub-points below your main ideas. Use short sentences and easy to understand abbreviations when taking notes. As soon as the class is dismissed, review your notes as quickly as you can -- this way you can elaborate on the information while the material is still fresh in your mind. You can rewrite the notes with additional information and without abbreviations.
At night, review the notes from the previous day and then read ahead in your book for the next lesson. By reading ahead, you will become familiar with the material and you will be able to better grasp the information covered during the class discussion. You will be attuned to the material, and when you listen during the next lecture, you can ask questions about any unclear information.