Co-focus study sessions are a productivity and focus strategy where a person works alongside someone else—either in person or virtually—to help them stay on task. The co-focus partner doesn’t need to participate in the task; rather their calm, non-judgmental presence serves as a form of gentle accountability.
Many neurodivergent students find it overwhelming to start new tasks or projects, even when they really want to get things done. Co-focus study sessions can help break that cycle, by reducing feelings of overwhelm or isolation and creating a sense of low-pressure accountability.
It works especially well for tasks that feel boring, stressful, or hard to start, and it’s not just for people who are neurodivergent. Anyone can use this strategy when focus is hard to find.
Students use Co-Focus study sessions for all kinds of reasons—and it’s not just about study. You might find it helpful for:
Co-Focus Study Sessions will run from Week 1 through to the second exam week.
Monday Co-Focus sessions - online
The Monday session is a focused online study session. Students will spend the first 10 minutes setting a study goal and checking in, followed by focused study time. There is no presentation or workshop. There is no presentation or workshop.
Tuesday Co-Focus sessions - City Campus and online
The Tuesday session is a focused study session available on campus and online. Students will spend the first 15 minutes setting a study goal and checking in, followed by focused study time. A Senior Learning Adviser will be available for just-in-time support.
Wednesday Co-Focus sessions — Joondalup Campus and online
Wednesday sessions include social time, a short workshop and focused study time.
Session structure:
Learning Adviser drop-ins will be available during the Tuesday and Wednesday Co-Focus sessions. Students can ask questions about study skills, assignments, academic writing, planning, editing and other learning strategies.
Tuesday: Senior Learning Adviser will be available throughout the Co-Focus session from 9.00 am–11.00 am AWST.
Wednesday: Learning Adviser drop-ins will usually be available during focused study time from approximately 2.30 pm–3.30 pm AWST.
Each Wednesday, Co-Focus study session begins with a short workshop designed to support study skills, motivation, planning, focus and wellbeing. Workshops may be delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentors, Learning Advisers or Psychological Counselling Support (PCS).
After the workshop, students can continue working during focused study time. Students are welcome to work on assignments, readings, revision, weekly tasks, life admin related to study, or other tasks they need support to start or complete.
You do not need to have everything organised before attending. You can come along with a task, a general goal or just the intention to get started.
Week | Date | Workshop |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 29 July | Resetting Routines After the Break — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Week 2 | 5 August | Time Management and Planners — Guest Speaker: Learning Adviser |
| Week 3 | 12 August | Window of Tolerance — Guest Speaker: PCS |
| Week 4 | 19 August | Setting Realistic Goals and Boundaries — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Week 5 | 26 August | AI Integrity — Guest Speaker: Learning Adviser |
| Week 6 | 2 September | Perfectionism, Paralysis and Procrastination — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Week 7 | 9 September | Managing Overwhelm & Mental Overload — Guest Speaker: PCS |
| Week 8 | 16 September | Understanding Your Assignment and Writing Process — Guest Speaker: Learning Adviser |
| Week 9 | 23 September | Balancing Life and University — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Mid-Semester Break | 30 September | Self-Care: Taking Care of You — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Week 10 | 7 October | Academic Writing — Guest Speaker: Learning Adviser |
| Week 11 | 14 October | Window of Tolerance, placement & workplace — Guest Speaker: PCS |
| Week 12 | 21 October | Editing and Proofreading — Guest Speaker: Learning Adviser |
| Week 13 | 28 October | Regulation Tools — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Study Week | 4 November | Revision Tools — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Exams | 11 November | Exam Preparation — Delivered by Neurodivergent Peer Mentor |
| Exams | 18 November | No workshop — Focused study time only |
No registration is required. Students can attend in person or join the online Co-Focus Study Session
Add the Access and Inclusion Canvas site to stay up to date with future Co-Focus activities and add study session reminders to your Canvas calendar.