CANDID
Making university more supportive: because we CAN, so we DID.
CANDID (ChronicAlly ill, NeuroDiverse, Impaired and Disabled) facilitates friendships, develops connections and provides mutual support for students who have experiences of:
- chronic illness
- neurodiversity
- disability (including mental health)
- impairment.
Carers and allies are also welcome too.
We are a student-led group, supported by the Prevention and Inclusion team. We currently run a lunchtime Microsoft Teams social catch-ups on the third Monday of every month, sometimes with a speaker.
We are flexible, respectful and responsive.
CANDID facilitators also run weekly Shut Up And Study (SUAS) sessions in person and via Microsoft Teams, for those who would like to participate in focused study sessions with peer accountability. We use the Pomodoro technique of alternating 25 minutes or more of silent work with short social breaks. See our Teams page for details of upcoming sessions.
CANDID recognises that people are diverse, as are our experiences, health, and wellbeing. We want CANDID to be a safe place for people from all walks of life, and for this safety to be reflected in how we communicate with each other. All meetings are optional, you can come and go as you please. Come and see if we are your community.
For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions below. You can also email us at CANDID.group@latrobe.edu.au.
CANDID’s activities are mostly online, with occasional in-person activities at Bundoora and regional campuses. You are welcome to participate however you would like—we welcome different communication styles. For example, for online events/activities, you do not have to turn your camera and mic on. You may wish to display a photo instead of using the camera and/or communicate by typing in the chat instead of using your voice
All CANDID events are free and optional. You can participate as much or as little as you like, and come and go as you need. You can introduce yourself and share your favourite tips, strategies, and ideas, or just come and listen.
No. We understand access to diagnosis is often not possible. Anyone who identifies with CANDID (e.g., chronic illness, neurodiversity, disability, including mental health, or impairment) is welcome to join, provided they are at La Trobe.
We ask that CANDID members respect each other and comply with the University’s Code of Conduct.
The privacy of CANDID members must be respected. We ask that members do not take photos, screenshots or recordings of files, folders, people or presentations in the Teams group or during meetings. Distribution of any recordings, files or images is also not permitted unless they are resources marked as ok to share. Members must maintain the confidentiality of other members, and must not share CANDID members or attendees’ personal or identifying information with others, without that person’s express permission. If in doubt, please check with the CANDID facilitators.
We run three types of sessions:
- Learning Sessions – presenters talk about aspects of study, assistive technology, disability accommodations, wellbeing and other topics related to studying at La Trobe. These are held online via Teams. We appreciate new topics and presenter suggestions.
- Social Sessions – informal sessions to get to know each other, brainstorm ideas for common issues, and discuss topics of interest. These are usually online via Teams and occasionally in-person.
- Study Sessions – weekly Shut Up And Study (SUAS) Sessions with a mix of in-person and online sessions. We use the Pomodoro technique of alternating silent work time with brief chat/movement breaks.
Study Sessions bring people together in person or online to work together. Many people find that having an accountability/study buddy is very helpful. You do not just have to study. Some people listen to readings or watch lectures, organise files, do housework, or their tax return—whatever it is that needs doing!
We use the Pomodoro technique, which involves alternating silent work time with brief chat/movement breaks throughout the Study Session (e.g., 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break or chat). Pomodoro blocks are flexible, and times can be adjusted if you need longer work times and shorter or longer break times. We often use the Pomodoro Kitty - A Cat Themed Pomodoro Timer to keep track of time.
You do not have to stay for the whole Study Session—you can come and go as needed. We often begin by stating what we aim to accomplish during that session (i.e., your intention), but you do not have to. Some members may be happy to share the strategies they use to get work done.
Members are also welcome to start ad-hoc study sessions via the Microsoft Teams channel at any time.
The days and times of our hosted study sessions vary each semester depending on facilitator availability and members’ preferences.
You can read about the Pomodoro technique via this website. How to Adapt the Pomodoro Technique for ADHD
Topics vary each semester depending on member preference. Frequently requested topics include aspects of study, assistive technology, disability accommodations, or wellbeing at La Trobe University. We welcome suggestions and requests for presenters and topics.
No! All meetings and study sessions are optional. You are welcome to come and go as you please.
With permission, guest speaker presentations are recorded so they can be accessed whenever convenient. Other activities are not recorded.
The CANDID Microsoft Teams site contains numerous resources to support study and life. Example resources include assistive technology, executive functioning, procrastination, overthinking, motivation, managing your mental health at university, disability rights and self-advocacy, library resources and study strategies, and careers and employment services.
Members are also welcome to contribute resources. You can download and print the resources for your own personal use. However, the privacy of CANDID members must be respected. We ask that members do not take photos, screenshots or recordings of files, folders, people or presentations in the Teams group or during meetings. Distribution of any recordings, files or images is also not permitted unless they are resources marked as ok to share. Members must maintain the confidentiality of other members, and must not share CANDID members or attendees’ personal or identifying information with others, without that person’s express permission. If in doubt, please check with the CANDID facilitators.
We are a volunteer, student-run, peer-support group supported by La Trobe University’s Wellbeing Services teams. All facilitators have lived/living experience.