Effective listeners look for foundational concepts. They grab key ideas and use them as anchor points for the entire lecture. Adjust your note taking system to the lecturer's pattern. Some poor listeners attempt to outline everything, believing an outline and notes are the same thing. Poor listeners let their minds to wander.
Effective listeners remain focused and actively try to absorb material.
Aggressively tackle difficult material. When they encounter a tough topic, poor listeners absorb very little. Things bounce off them. Effective listeners condition themselves to be interested in challenging matters. Poor listeners tune people out on the basis of a few words.