Centennial Talks
A student space to talk about student life.
As a student, life can hit you with challenges in many different places. Centennial Talks is a student space to support one another through the challenges of student life. You’re not alone, join a Centennial Talks session and explore a different topic for reflection each week.
Centennial Talks is a virtual space created and led by Peer Listeners. Peer Listeners are students trained to actively listen and respond without judgment.
Attend two or more Centennial Talks sessions and you will be eligible to receive a $20 Skip the Dishes Gift Card!
For more details on the Earn While You Learn program, click here.
GROUP GUIDELINES
Centennial Talks acts as a student-led peer support group. To ensure we maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive space, we ask all participants to agree to a set of shared values and guidelines during our sessions.
PRIVACY/ CONFIDENTIALITY
Mutual agreement that everything that is discussed during our group peer listening session stays here only; nothing will be repeated outside of the session. Make sure no one else is in your space during the meeting virtually or wear headphones if being alone is not possible.
COMPASSION/EMPATHY
Be kind, forgiving, and understanding about others’ views, support rather than attack even if you do not agree with other people’s views.
SHARE/SUPPORT
IDENTITY
Be mindful of each other’s identity; ask others how they would like to be identified. Peer Listeners will introduce themselves first, and everyone else can do so as well.
Disclaimer: CCSAI and Centennial College policies, including the Student Code of Conduct, applies to this space.
HOW TO JOIN
Centennial Talks sessions will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays via Microsoft Teams.
The Tuesday drop-in sessions are designed to be an open student-led forum. Participants decide what we talk about, or chat and hang out. If you plan on dropping in, join us before 12:15 pm as the virtual doors will close at that time.
Use this link to drop in on Tuesdays from 12 pm – 1 pm.
Centennial Talks Thursday sessions are more structured conversations led by peer listeners. These conversations will be centred around the weekly theme. Each week the session starts promptly at 12:00 pm EST.
Use this link to join on Thursdays from 12 pm – 1 pm.
WEEKLY THEMES
Alone But Not Lonely
Date: Thursday, March 10th
Habits and Emotions
Date: Thursday, March 17th
The Peaks and Valleys of Student Life
Date: Thursday, March 24th
Pandemic Burnout
Date: Thursday, March 31st
Self-Maintenance
Date: Thursday, April 7th
Relationships
Date: Thursday, April 14th
Developing relationships takes practice especially during the pandemic.
Let’s talk about how to initiate relationships and how to build strong relationships among family/friends/coworkers?
Wrap-Up Virtual Hangout
Date: Tuesday, April 12 & Thursday, April 14th
It’s been a long semester but we did it! Hangout with us for lunch during the last sessions of the week and discuss what went well this semester and some future goals for summer or next semester to improve health and wellness.
Meet the Peer Listeners
Michelle Hui
Hello, my name is Michelle and I live with my 14-year-old son and 4-year-old Shih Tzu-terrier dog, Dakota. I am a second-year student at the Addictions and Mental Health Worker Program at Centennial College. My hobbies include playing tennis, getting together with family and friends, and shopping with my daughter. My love for mental health aid and advocacy began with helping my children and volunteering at elementary schools in York Region, which I did for over 10 years. I enjoy finding ways to help people overcome mental illness by listening, supporting, and helping them come up with things that they enjoy doing.
Jacqueline Vo
Hi, my name is Jacqueline. I’m a recent graduate from Queen’s hoping to learn more about mental health and addictions! I enjoy cooking, learning languages and talking with people (usually while playing games)! In my future work, I hope to help others feel empowered about who they are and the decisions they make about their lives!
Arjun Vaja
Hello, my name is Arjun. I live with my family and hopefully a puppy in the near future. I love to be outside, enjoying the nice weather, going for a hike or simply relaxing, and I enjoy working out. I love the field of mental health because I enjoy helping others and I understand that mental health needs to be looked after just like our physical health should be.
Cassidy Allen
Hi, my name is Cassidy. I was born in Toronto and have lived here my whole life. Some of my interests are hanging out with friends and listening to music. I love working in the field of mental health because I enjoy listening to, and supporting others, judgement-free.
James Parker
Hi, my name is James from Toronto. During my spare time I like to go to the gym and I train in Karate, currently holding a 2nd degree black belt. I’m currently in my 3rd semester of the Addiction and Mental Health worker program. I enjoy studying and hopefully working in the field of mental health in order to spread awareness and help fight stigma.