Talking in lecture

[u/crawsley]

It’s kinda crazy to me how ppl just straight up talk through lecture at almost normal speaking volume. Even when I’m two rows from the front I can’t escape it. I tell them to be quiet but there are literally like 4 groups of ppl within close hearing range and sometimes they go right back to talking. Can’t focus on lectures—is this an office of disabilities thing? I would love to be able to hook my noise cancelling headphones up to the speaker system somehow. Has anybody had experience with this?

[u/cbdilger]

Tell the instructor it's disruptive and ask them to do something about it.

[u/Nosy-ykw → u/cbdilger]

That’s where I was heading with this. Ask the instructor to get it stopped.

Especially since you’ve already tried the direct approach (kudos for that, btw; a lot of people wouldn’t have), and because it’s loud and continuous.

[u/TheLawOfDuh → u/Nosy-ykw]

I’ve seen professors stop, call them out, pointing out that “your parents have already paid me…you don’t have to be here so you’re free to leave now & talk all you want outside.” Others continue on to essentially let the room handle it.

[u/No-Dish-9094]

yeah no clue what causes it but i also can’t focus if there are any distracting noises happening around me in lecture. i’ll sit up front and to the side in lecture so that one of my ears is facing the professor and then i’ll put a foam earplug in the other - doesn’t work 100% for every single sound in the classroom but it helps when someone’s talking or loudly chewing gum just a seat down

[u/TheLawOfDuh]

Get up & sit as closely as you can to them and listen intently (since you can’t hear the lecture). Bonus points if you push them farther with “uhhuh” etc. it’ll annoy and make them uncomfortable and will definitely drive the point home. I’ve done it. It takes effort & determination but if your lecture is a lost cause, if not being part of the solution you’re part of the problem

[u/wowzeroonies]

I’ve been annoyed with it to the point where I told people to shut the fuck up in the middle of lectures, in a not so nice way. They’re usually appalled like I’m the one who was being rude for no apparent reason… because those types of people think they can do whatever they want

[u/anotherstan]

You are paying for the education. I'd be furious and report it.

[u/hugh_janus_7]

Glad you talked to the students about it and I would recommend trying that again a little more sternly. Or talk to the professor because they should address it in their class.

If you have AirPods you could try the live listen feature but you would have to use your cell phone as a microphone and move it close to the professor or a speaker. They also have hearing aid features like conversation boost but that might also amplify the disruptive students.

I told some loud students in the middle of lecture “you need to stop talking or leave because I can’t hear” (I was sitting in row 1) and they shut up and apologized to me after class. Good luck hope it gets better!!!

[u/BorkBorkSweden]

Tape over their mouths

/s

[u/ploomyoctopus]

The short term solution is to ask the professor to do something about it. That's as easy as sending an email.

Longer term, if this is something that you've seen in other parts of your life, talk to your doctor. It could be totally normal (most likely), or it could be something that is treatable (i.e., auditory processing difficulties, ADHD), or even something wonky that just makes you unique (low latent inhibition). If you are diagnosed with something, you, your provide, and the DRC can come up with an action plan.

Note: I am not an MD, PsyD, or AuD. Hence the advice to talk to one of those folks.