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Not attending university lectures is it possible to pass with a first

NAS82328

Hi Guys, 

This is not specific to my ASD but I have no place to turn . 
I have been back at university 4 weeks and I already feel overwhelmed and burnt out . I work hard averages 45 hours a week including lectures . However I already feel behind . I think the lectures are the issues I often have 4-5 hour lectures . Often have 9 - 5:30 days of lectures . The lecture buildings are causing me a great deal of pain due to a physical disability they are not set up to be sat in for hours on end . Additionally I can’t keep up with typing . After the lectures I am in to much pain I just go to bed . 

I have been trying to work out why I am Struggling as I found end year during covid easier to self mange I had a year working after that . It’s not an easy degree and our second year isn’t designed to be easy but i managed well . 

I have been thinking about not attending any lectures that are over 2 hours . Then catch up using recordings around 95% are recorded anyway . As I find if I have a 4 hour lecture I am essentially putting my self in pain and not taking anything in then I have to rewatch the recording to write up my notes this usually take 8 hours for a 4 hour lecture . I always sit on the broader (1% off last year ) of a first my tutor said with hard work I can do it .

Is it possible to achieve a first not attending lectures ? I will attend interactive or seminaries and all lectures not over two hours ? 

  • Definitely speak to your tutor, watching the recordings if they are just talking at you sounds like a reasonable adjustment for your disability that they should be making. If you don’t attend non recorded lectures you will struggle to boost your scores though

  • From what I remember of university, lectures involved no interaction whatsoever so watching the recording (we didn't have them at the time, but I'm glad you do) would be an identical experience. You should schedule watching into your timetable so you don't accidentally get behind.

  • in reply to NAS82328

    20 years ago I had no idea about being autistic and that I should come up with adjustments instead I was trying to fit in doing what everyone else was doing, what was expected, to attend and note dopwn everything.

    If I knew what I know now I would attend and restrain myself to noting headers only as I used to do at school, befiore teachers started picking on it, calling it ''not having a proper notebook''

  • I don't recommend it, but I missed a whole lecture course, got hold of a book covering the subject, swotted it up and got 93% in the exam, plus a note commending my depth of knowledge from the lecturer.

    My daughter, autistic, currently in the third year of a chemistry degree, just contacts the head of year if she is feeling overwhelmed, and takes days off lectures. The lecturers send her additional course material to make up for anything she has missed. She is online for a good first.

  • I don't see why you have to attend any lecture for which there is a recording! Especially with a physical disability making it painful. Back when I was at uni they were not recorded, but I only had a few. I was allowed to make my own tape recordings as I could not take notes fast enough due to my physical disability. Yes that dates me!

    Either your tutors or student welfare should be able to help you. Especially if you are on track for a first.

  • I'd raise it with your tutor.  It should be more than possible provided you aren't missing out on the lecture content and your interactions with your tutor.  I'd think it perfectly reasonable for them to make any lecture you want available via a remote participation or a video recording as a "reasonable adjustment".  Actually, they are legally required to help you out with that one somehow.  Your chances of success could even be better because of the physical pain you wouldn't be having to deal with.

  • do you mind telling us which subject you are taking?

  • in reply to Mariusz

    The you for your reply . Very helpful maybe that my issue too . Did you mange to put anything in place to help ? 

  • HI

    I struggled with lectures as well, I know now why. It's my speech recognition issue, if I'm to listen with understanding I can't multistask it with anything else

    Skipping lectures turned out to be my downfall, so I would recommend speaking with each lecturer separately