1. Maria St. Hilaire Taking
Chapter 6: Listening and Note Taking
After viewing the PowerPoint Presentation, think about your situation. In a one to two page
summary (no less than one page) answer the following questions:
• When you have no interest in class material, how does it affect you – your behavior, your
grades, your connection to others, your commitment?
When I have no interest in class material it affects me in every way in my behavior, grades,
connection to others, and my commitment. When it comes to my behavior I act like I don’t care,
I don’t pay attention to what the teacher is saying and I day dream or think about other things
that is going on in my life. Then I don’t take notes or study hard so my grades get affected as
well. If I don’t have no interest in the material I don’t make eye contact with teacher, I don’t
listen to what he or she in teaching me I don’t participate in class and there is no feedback from
me at all. I don’t ask questions and make comments. I would isolate myself from the other
students. I would either be reading other class work or organize my book bag. If I am not
interested in class material I would come to class unprepared and would no be focusing on the
subject at hand. Like Maya I would be unable to understand what is going on in class and I
would have a hard time studying from my notes as well. When something is not interesting to
me it is hard for me to pay attention. I would probably even contemplate giving up and quitting
school. Lucky for me I don’t have that problem now. I am enjoying all of my classes so far. I find
connections with my life and purpose in all topics discussed in my classes. I guess I am so glad
to be in school that I find every class desirable. Also I understand that all the classes I take are
for a reason and that each assignment that I have to do is necessary, because they help me
better myself, learn, and they are beneficiary to me in aiding me to get closer to my goal.
I do understand the importance of being interested in class material and how much I am or not
can and will effects me in the over all as a student and as an individual. I do hope that I never

2. lose interest in school or my class work. And if for some reason I do end up loosing interest in
class material I will try to find out why. Try to stay focus look for connections and even look at
the possibilities that are available to me like changing class or getting help for somebody that
can explain the class work to me so that I can better understand and relate.
Next, come up with a positive course of action for Maya that might help her get
something out of her class.
Maya needs to work on her listing skills. I would tell her that sometimes you may think
something is no interesting at first, but if you start paying attention you will find a connection or
find out that it might be interesting or needed after all. If you still don’t find it interesting just do
it because it is a requirement and keep in mind the idea that getting a good grade get you closer
to graduating. Furthermore when you don’t feel motivated and your class material is not
inspiring to you just remember that it mean it might be tougher to do. So put on you gloves and
start working harder to make it out at the end of the semester a fighter not a quitter. Do a better
job taking notes so you can study and get good grades. See it as a challenge not an obstacle.
Find a solution that works best for you. And stay focus on your goals.