r/SocialWorkStudents • u/Agile_Revenue_6866 • 1d ago
Taking notes
How should I be taking notes when my sociology teacher uses the Socratic method she only lets us have a pencil and paper out no electronics. And said in her own words she likes to use that method. Also she clicks really fast through slides so what’s anyone’s advice and how to know what stuff is actually okay to write down and what not to bother about.
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u/madameburpsalot 1d ago
Stay after class and ask her to please slow down the slide show. Or send an email and let her know you're very interested in what she's saying but having a hard time listening and building quality notes. THEN ask her if she has any suggestions or tips to help you be a better note taker in her class. This will hopefully help her feel like you're genuinely trying. Or you can also go to your schools disability center and ask for an accommodation, sometimes they have students on work study that will be allowed to go in and record or type up notes for you. I hope she's understanding, I'm sorry you're in this frustrating situation.
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u/uwugtg42069 1d ago
Are you able to receive accommodations for a note taker? Maybe even get the professor to send you the slides?
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u/Scouthawkk 1d ago
Do you have any disabilities that could qualify you to ask the student disability services office for accommodations - autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, any other learning disability, any physical disability involving your hands or neurological medical conditions involving your head/neck? If approved for accommodations, you might be able to get the slides in advance, copies of the teacher's notes, a note-taker, or the ability to record lectures (on your own device at your own expense) to go back over again after class.
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u/khammer2 15h ago edited 14h ago
If they post their slides online before class, print them off and write notes directly on those. You can always put them in a 3 ring binder to keep in one place or scan them to your computer.
Alternatively, take pics of her slides with your phone and take notes on paper.
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u/bestbeefarm 13h ago edited 13h ago
Taking notes on paper is a skill that I guess got the cursive treatment. Try to only write down things that are both important and that you're unlikely to remember on your own. Learn to write fast or develop a personal short hand. I refuse to take note on a computer and I'm mildly dislexic. I promise you can learn to take notes on paper just as well and it will help you be more present and engaged. I also feel for teachers because looking out as a class and seeing only the backs of laptops feels icky.
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u/Complete-Bet-8345 8h ago
If she posts the slides online before class, then write them all down beforehand. That’s what I do and it helps me follow along better during lectures.
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u/RutgerSchnauzer 1d ago
You’re actually remembering things more effectively when you’re writing them down, when compared to typing. It’s a good directive, but maybe ask her if she can slow down a skosh - also, if she can have the slides available for review somewhere.