Preparing for the class ahead of time makes it much easier to follow the instructor's lecture. Diligently reading the assignments before each lecture gives you a knowledge of the subject matter and provides a context for the ideas and information discussed during the lecture. A prepared student is in a much better position to take in and comprehend the details of the lecture.
Many students find their minds wandering or they have difficulty focusing because they adopt a passive rather than active attitude in the classroom.Taking notes forces you to concentrate on the main points of the lecture. Writing down the essential points, in a notebook or on a laptop, helps to organize and digest the material. Engage the teacher with questions. Formulating and asking questions in the classroom requires taking a more active attitude in the classroom. Asking questions also allows the teacher to clarify points of the lecture that are unclear to you and possibly other students as well.
Another aspect of active listening is to staying engaged and focused in the classroom. Keep your eyes on the teacher. The teacher's visual cues, gestures and body language are all useful tools in following the course of the lecture. Avoid the temptation to let your mind wander when the subject matter becomes difficult. Develop the habit of concentrating all the more if you are having trouble understanding a certain point.
Many students are distracted in the classroom because their mind is on something besides the lecture. Avoid watching the clock. Choose a seat in the classroom that enhances your abilities to focus on the lecture and that minimizes the temptation to shift your attention elsewhere. For example, if you find yourself looking out the window all the time, don't sit near a window. If your mind wanders more in the back of the classroom, sit in the front of the classroom. If the students next to you are possible distractions, take another seat.