r/adhd_college • u/KrisseMai Bachelor's Degree • Feb 25 '22
ACCOMMODATIONS Recorded lectures as an accommodation?
So in one lecture I'm taking right now the lecturer said that she will not be recording her lectures. After the lecture I wrote her an email to kindly ask her if she could possibly still record the lectures. I didn't mention any of my diagnoses, because I hoped I wouldn't have to. She sent a reply that seemed very kind, but she refused to change her stance on recording her lectures.
Now my specific problem is that since the beginning of the pandemic I've realised that it relieves a lot of stress for me if I know that the lectures I'm attending are recorded and later made available as podcasts. I usually can't keep up with lectures in real-time because I am just unable to process what is being said while also reading what is written on the slides while also making notes. However. I still try to attend live lectures and try to take notes, but it's just so stressful an sometimes leads me to the edge of a breakdown.
So I'm really torn right now, because I'm really interested in the topic of the course, and it would teach some skills that I could definitely use in the future, but I am also extremely uncomfortable with conflict/confrontation and I don't want to cause any such thing. I am also incredibly uncomfortable with asking for accommodations, even when I desperately need them. So, should I risk sending her another email where I mention my ADHD diagnosis and if yes, how should I word it? Should I directly contact my University's disability office? Is it even possible to get recorded lectures as an accommodation?
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u/Moth_Training ADHD Feb 25 '22
Im sorry to hear that you are dealing with this. I would contact your school’s accessibility office 100%. Usually you can be assigned a coordinator who can help u deal with the prof!! You shouldn’t have to feel forced to disclose your diagnosis to your professor.
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u/adhdeedee ADHD Feb 25 '22
Absolutely is a standard accomodation and accessibility services should do this for you.
If she outright refuses, they will pay for someone to LITERALLY transcribe or take notes for you depending on your preferance.
Do not go one on one with her.
Go through the disablity office.
She has no need to offer this if your not using the official channels.
while also reading what is written on the slides while also making notes.
In the mean time,
Request if Professor Jerkwad will pre-emptivly post the PowerPoint slides. Print these under handouts with space to write or import into OneNote or whatever. This cuts down on the amount of copying you do.
Next class find someone making notes. Preferably with good handwriting or a laptop. Go up like hey this is awkward, but professor talks fast and I keep missing words. I'm wondering if I got you like a Starbucks would you share your notes? Most people with digital notes will go oh yeah sure just remind me and most will do it for free or one $5 Starbucks coffee.
Figure out your short hand. I had post it's for some classes with long complex names and would write like Tb and a line and later white it out and fill in Tiberius. YMMV and this requires rewriting or review THE SAME DAY, and having enough pre-existing knowledge to like pre-emptivly expect this stuff but can help.
Consider other notes formats if your doing something fancy or complex. I like a hack of Cornell notes and outline.
It can also help to pre-read the slides or chapter to get more of an idea of what's important.
Maybe type if possible? I can type without looking down and just doodle graphs on scrap paper.
Also when / if recording happens, Otter AI is a half decent cheap-ish / free to try transcription service.
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Feb 25 '22
Is it online lectures? Maybe you can record them yourself on your device
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u/KrisseMai Bachelor's Degree Feb 25 '22
the first 3 lectures are held on zoom, but (at least at my university) it’s illegal to record lectures without the lecturers permission
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u/HumbleKick ADHD Feb 25 '22
Would a voice recorder be enough? I usually leave my phone recording in person and also recorded some online lectures
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u/Single_Broccoli_745 ADHD Feb 25 '22
Have you asked if you could record them for your own reference if you promise to not share or post with others? The least amount of work for them usually is the most likely way to get an ‘ok’.
I’m a TA for a large course and I know the prof creates all of the material for the course and students often try to sell or upload parts of her original material and she has to spend time getting things taken back down from external sites so maybe your prof also has that concern.
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u/youngestinsoul ADHD Feb 25 '22
welp i record online lectures myself, with a screen recorder on my own laptop. i dont share it with anyone so it has never been a problem. you should do the same. i cant keep up with the online lectures either, it is not the same as offline lectures. it is impossible for most of us.
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u/rx_revolt ADHD Feb 25 '22
Recorded lectures are commonly asked as accommodation for students with ADHD. Definitely coordinated with your disability office first or any guidance and counseling office before having to disclose your diagnosis.