Course module struggles

I’m a first year broadcast and multimedia student at UEA.

It would be putting it mildly to say I’m having a hard time getting to grips with the audio software and equipment and I am subsequently struggling in these lectures. While everyone else in the class doesn’t really seem to have an issue with any of it generally speaking, I can barely edit and upload a single piece of audio! It was stressing me so much I could have broke down today.

I’ve emailed and said more than once now to the lecturers and tech support staff that I’m finding this difficult and I have no experience in using this equipment yet I’m still left to get on with it once class resumes. I understand that a big part of Uni is independence, and yes there have been intro sessions where we were shown what to do, but I have Asperger’s and there is no way I can process that much in a single introduction lesson.

I believe in my abilities and think I bring a lot to the table but feel that others have an unfair advantage and I am being left behind; it is giving me a lot of anxiety and stress.

I don’t want to end up left behind by year 2 and this is my biggest fear.

Can anyone advise me on the best approach to this situation?

Reply 1

UniofLawstudent2

Official Rep

Original post

by liam_michaelroy

I’m a first year broadcast and multimedia student at UEA.
It would be putting it mildly to say I’m having a hard time getting to grips with the audio software and equipment and I am subsequently struggling in these lectures. While everyone else in the class doesn’t really seem to have an issue with any of it generally speaking, I can barely edit and upload a single piece of audio! It was stressing me so much I could have broke down today.
I’ve emailed and said more than once now to the lecturers and tech support staff that I’m finding this difficult and I have no experience in using this equipment yet I’m still left to get on with it once class resumes. I understand that a big part of Uni is independence, and yes there have been intro sessions where we were shown what to do, but I have Asperger’s and there is no way I can process that much in a single introduction lesson.
I believe in my abilities and think I bring a lot to the table but feel that others have an unfair advantage and I am being left behind; it is giving me a lot of anxiety and stress.
I don’t want to end up left behind by year 2 and this is my biggest fear.
Can anyone advise me on the best approach to this situation?

Hi there,
I can see how stressful this has been for you,
but it does sound like you’ve been doing everything right by reaching out for help and being proactive.
You absolutely deserve the support you need to succeed, and it’s good that you’re raising this early on.

Since you’ve mentioned Asperger’s and difficulties processing the technical content in standard sessions, I’d strongly recommend contacting your university’s Student Support or Disability and Accessibility team (sometimes called Student Wellbeing). These are individuals who's entire job role is to help you in situations such as this, compared to lecturers or IT staff in general who have other responsibilities and limited power here.
Alternatively, you might also ask your course leader or academic journey adviser to help coordinate this, they can often liaise directly with lecturers to ensure you get structured help rather than being left to manage alone.

They can arrange reasonable adjustments such as:

•

One-to-one or small-group technical support,

•

Extra time or alternative learning formats,

•

Follow-up sessions to go over practical skills at your own pace.

Speaking from personal experience, things will only be done if you go to the right people and plead your case with evidence. I arranged a meeting with my course-leader to discuss a time-table swap which IT and general administration were denying due to policy reasons.

It’s completely understandable that you’re finding it overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. Universities are required to put support in place once they know what you need. You’ve already shown determination and self-awareness, which are both huge strengths, you can definitely get through this with the right backing.

Best wishes,
Alfie,
Student Ambassador,
The University of Law

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post

by liam_michaelroy

I’m a first year broadcast and multimedia student at UEA.
It would be putting it mildly to say I’m having a hard time getting to grips with the audio software and equipment and I am subsequently struggling in these lectures. While everyone else in the class doesn’t really seem to have an issue with any of it generally speaking, I can barely edit and upload a single piece of audio! It was stressing me so much I could have broke down today.
I’ve emailed and said more than once now to the lecturers and tech support staff that I’m finding this difficult and I have no experience in using this equipment yet I’m still left to get on with it once class resumes. I understand that a big part of Uni is independence, and yes there have been intro sessions where we were shown what to do, but I have Asperger’s and there is no way I can process that much in a single introduction lesson.
I believe in my abilities and think I bring a lot to the table but feel that others have an unfair advantage and I am being left behind; it is giving me a lot of anxiety and stress.
I don’t want to end up left behind by year 2 and this is my biggest fear.
Can anyone advise me on the best approach to this situation?

Hi @liam_michaelroy 👋

I am sorry to hear you are feeling that way. You are doing everything right though as you have acknowledged that you may need some extra help and decided to contact for support. I suggest to contact them again and push the issue a bit further as it is not fair that you won't be given support until class resumes since you can fall behind.

If lecturers have academic support hours, look into that or email and see them in person. There should be a disability support team as well so do contact them as well! I hope you do get the support you need and do well as it seems you are doing well and taking a proactive approach so it will be fine 🙂

Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜

Reply 3

UEA Rep Fatma

Official Rep

Original post

by liam_michaelroy

I’m a first year broadcast and multimedia student at UEA.
It would be putting it mildly to say I’m having a hard time getting to grips with the audio software and equipment and I am subsequently struggling in these lectures. While everyone else in the class doesn’t really seem to have an issue with any of it generally speaking, I can barely edit and upload a single piece of audio! It was stressing me so much I could have broke down today.
I’ve emailed and said more than once now to the lecturers and tech support staff that I’m finding this difficult and I have no experience in using this equipment yet I’m still left to get on with it once class resumes. I understand that a big part of Uni is independence, and yes there have been intro sessions where we were shown what to do, but I have Asperger’s and there is no way I can process that much in a single introduction lesson.
I believe in my abilities and think I bring a lot to the table but feel that others have an unfair advantage and I am being left behind; it is giving me a lot of anxiety and stress.
I don’t want to end up left behind by year 2 and this is my biggest fear.
Can anyone advise me on the best approach to this situation?

Hello! @liam_michaelroy 🙂
I am very sorry that this has been your experience so far and you are right to feel stressed especially as you have contacted lecturers and there hasn't been much help.
I would recommend you speak to either the Student Information Zone (SIZ) or your advisor. They will be able to direct you to people at UEA who can help. UEA usually offer extra support who people struggle with certain parts of their course (e.g. maths for STEM based courses) so they may have a look at putting something similar into place for you.
I know for some parts of the media buildings you can book rooms/equipment to use in your free time, check with lecturers and see if this is the case with the software you are using and see if you can book it to have some extra practice outside of lecture hours as this may help you feel more comfortable with it.
I hope this helps, do let me know if you have any further questions!
Fatma
Natural Sciences student.

Reply 4

ARU Graduate

Official Rep

Original post

by liam_michaelroy

I’m a first year broadcast and multimedia student at UEA.
It would be putting it mildly to say I’m having a hard time getting to grips with the audio software and equipment and I am subsequently struggling in these lectures. While everyone else in the class doesn’t really seem to have an issue with any of it generally speaking, I can barely edit and upload a single piece of audio! It was stressing me so much I could have broke down today.
I’ve emailed and said more than once now to the lecturers and tech support staff that I’m finding this difficult and I have no experience in using this equipment yet I’m still left to get on with it once class resumes. I understand that a big part of Uni is independence, and yes there have been intro sessions where we were shown what to do, but I have Asperger’s and there is no way I can process that much in a single introduction lesson.
I believe in my abilities and think I bring a lot to the table but feel that others have an unfair advantage and I am being left behind; it is giving me a lot of anxiety and stress.
I don’t want to end up left behind by year 2 and this is my biggest fear.
Can anyone advise me on the best approach to this situation?

Hey,

I didn’t study that course myself, but I completely understand how you’re feeling…it’s really tough when it seems like everyone else has picked things up easily and you’re still struggling to get to grips with it. You’re definitely not alone in that, even if it feels like it right now.

It sounds like you’ve already done the right thing by reaching out to your lecturers and tech support, so props to you for advocating for yourself. Sometimes it takes a bit of persistence though, I’d suggest trying to set up a one-to-one meeting with either your course tutor or the module leader to explain how much this is affecting you day-to-day. Make it clear that you’ve tried following the intro sessions but need more structured, step-by-step guidance to get comfortable with the software.

You could also contact your uni’s disability or student support team. They can put extra measures in place…things like extended one-to-one technical support, extra time for practical tasks, or pairing you with a mentor or study skills advisor who can go through things at your pace. They can also help make sure your lecturers are aware of what support you’re entitled to so you’re not just being left to “get on with it.”

Don’t be discouraged, loads of people start uni with little to no experience in certain areas and still end up excelling once they’ve had the right support and time to practice. You clearly care about doing well, and that’s a huge strength in itself. You’ll get there, it just might take a bit more tailored help…which is completely fair and absolutely achievable!

Good luck! Sophie 🙂