Learning from lectures...

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Hello,

I am sure other people have posted something similar, but I wanted to vent for just a bit. And hopefully someone will reply who can relate.

I am having a hard time dealing with guilt, because the lecturer in my IT class sees me constantly putting in headphones and studying on my own. I can feel that he disapproves somehow (I think). I am considering talking to him and explaining that I learn differently than the others in that:

- I find the topics in the lectures random, and cannot see how they build upon each other without delving deep into each topic, and learning all of the basics (ALL of the basics) of each.

- Every time someone loudly jokes, spills a drink, makes a comment, etc, I have to rewind my brain and start over at the beginning, because I find it scary to maybe have lost some important detail or idea after recovering from the distraction.

- I would listen to him, and maybe learn things, but I am afraid of forgetting it if I don't then record EVERY idea on paper

When I drown out the class noise with music, I can see what he's writing, do my research, and basically teach myself. This is the only way I feel confident that I can pass an exam at the end. I always sense when people are disapproving, but I have a hard time figuring out when to break and bring it up, or if it is even appropriate to do so. I have created more problems in the past by bringing up issues.

I would just have a talk with the professor. I generally don't have any trouble understanding interesting lectures. But boring ones I may have to tune out. It depends on the professor. I like to sit in the back of the class and take notes or draw. It helps me to concentrate.

If you need to do this to learn, then just have a talk with your professor and stop feeling guilty.

I am going to talk to him. Guilt is maybe the wrong word. Anxiety might be better...It's an old habit from years of not being diagnosed, and thinking there was something wrong with me when someone confronted my 'unconventional' ways of handling things.

Definately talk to him about this.
Putting in earphones during a lecture is very high up the 'rudeness' ladder. even though you have a good reason for doing so, your teacher doesn't know this unless you tell him.

usually, college/university teachers are quite understanding about autism/sensory integration

Hey chuck_gish.

When you go to class, do you usually come prepared? Maybe read over the lecture materials the night before so when you do show up, you already have a good overview of the day's lecture.



Do you have a smartphone or voice recorder? Ask your professor if he/she is okay with you recording during lecture. This is what some of my classmates do, but again, it's important that you get permission first.

My community college forces ALL of it's students to take a college survival course that teaches people how to manage their time and tricks for taking good notes (like fold the paper in half and make the second half "jepordy questions" of your notes). AWESOME!! !! ! Today my teacher was talking about how 80% of college is lectures and how some teachers have quirks we have to look past. She says that it's best to arrive early and sit in the very front row. I would suggest looking into a college survival course and explaining the situation to your teacher. Maybe you should use ear plugs instead of earphones when the classmates are being noisy jack asses. My college's testing lab actually offers them to people taking tests. The ear plugs scream "I am trying to block distractions" while earbuds might say "Whatever I'm gonna daydream and listen to music". Good luck!

Yeah, I never know what to write during lectures. I get so lost~. So I just space out during class, then research the topic when I get home. Works well enough for me.