Karlee Spicer, Immaculata Chapter Member, Class of 2028:

“One way I have practiced active listening recently is when one of my best friends came to me because she was having a difficult time with her siblings. She was feeling frustrated, hurt, and overwhelmed by some conflicts at home, and she needed someone to talk to about them. During the conversation, I focused on listening carefully to everything she had to say instead of immediately trying to solve the problem or change the subject. 

At first, it was a little challenging because I wanted to jump in and offer advice right away. However, I reminded myself that active listening means giving the other person space to express their feelings. I maintained eye contact, paid attention to what she was saying, and let her speak without interrupting. There were moments when she became very emotional and even started crying, but I continued to listen patiently and allowed her to share everything that was on her mind. 

As she talked, I was able to relate some of her experiences to situations I have gone through in my own life. After she finished explaining how she felt, I shared a few of those experiences and explained how I handled them. I made sure that my responses focused on understanding her feelings rather than making the conversation about myself. 

My friend responded very positively. She told me that she appreciated everything I had to say and was grateful that I listened to her without interrupting. She seemed relieved after getting her feelings off her chest and hearing supportive feedback. I believe she felt genuinely supported because I gave her my full attention and created a safe space for her to express her emotions. Overall, this experience showed me how important active listening is and how much it can help someone who is going through a difficult time.”