They didn’t want information or advice, just my presence, like a sponge to soak up what they’d been holding inside for years.

他们不想要什么信息或建议，只要我在场就好，像海绵一样吸收他们埋藏多年的心声。

youdao

Find a quiet spot - If you would like to study, read, balance the checkbook, etc. you need to have a quiet spot where you can concentrate and soak up as much information as possible.

找一个安静的地点——如果你想学习，读书，算账等等。为了能够专注、吸收尽可能多的信息，你需要一个安静的地方。

youdao

Mr. Leon said he tries figure out how to get the students to soak up the information, not just for tests, but for life.

WSJ: Newark Lays Off Newest Teachers, Even If They're the Best Teachers

The ability of children to soak up and precisely recall information is often underrated.

BBC: Memory and method: In praise of learning by rote