NIC @ Home Student Newsletter - Aug. 17

Hello NIC students! We invite you to visit our NIC Virtual Orientation 2020/21 to access various resources and sessions and get ready for a successful semester! I am pleased to present your weekly Student Life newsletter with information and updates.

Student Life at Home

Textbook information for the Fall is being regularly added – please continue to check the NIC Book Search for updates. Text information is still being updated by faculty, so we recommend waiting until closer to the start date of your program to purchase the required materials. For sponsored students, you may email your details to imc@nic.bc.ca and if we can accommodate you at the time of emailing, we will do so (stock dependent).  

You may also check the NIC Student page at Login Brothers – they carry many but not all of our required texts, and can ship the order directly to you.

For digital resources, please contact faculty – you may need to purchase it through a specific link or site to link correctly with your class.

Need a computer?

Having a reliable computer during this time of digital learning will be key to your success. Microserve is providing a discount to all students. Visit https://techwarehouse.microserve.ca/shop/home for available computer options. NIC students receive an additional 5% discount with promo code NIC2020, and free shipping is provided within Canada.

(Please note that this is not an endorsement from NIC, we are simply providing this information to you so you are aware of the discount. NIC is not responsible for the services or products provided by Microserve).

The International Health Literacy Consortium has launched an online bilingual survey on health literacy in the context of COVID-19, aimed at all post-secondary students across Canada. The goal is to better understand how post-secondary students are accessing health information during the pandemic and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on their stress level and overall wellbeing. Thousands of students around the world are participating!

For more information, see https://covid-hl.eu/.

The English version: 

Click here to participate until Aug 31, 2020: https://utorontodlsph.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9QAxHACn3MbwX09

La version française: 

Sinon, veuillez cliquer ici pour participer jusqu'au 31 août 2020:https://utorontodlsph.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TbCWjIlwdNdXLv

Self-Care: Tips to practice before the start of the school year

  • Sleep: Sleep is a natural healing process for your body and it allows your brain to actively work while you’re sleeping. To increase better sleeping habits is to turn off all electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
  • Eat healthy and balanced meals: It will give your body the natural vitamins and nutrients it needs to thrive. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables, eat breakfast, drink enough water, and pack snacks for long hours in the library or lab. Avoid fried foods, refined sugar, alcohol and caffeine.
  • Take breaks to refuel:  Take period breaks while studying. Don’t cram a big paper in 24 hours before the deadline. Give yourself sufficient time so you can schedule breaks to replenish your energy.
  • Journaling: It is a great way to write out your thoughts and feelings. This will help to shift your mind to think positive even during stressful moments in college.
  • Meditate and practice relaxation techniques: You can practise meditation and relaxation techniques by finding a quiet space to take deep breaths in a relaxed position.
  • Set realistic goals for yourself:  You can write out your short-term and long-term goals and place them in an area where you can see it daily to stay motivated. Follow the S.M.A.R.T. goals formula: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Timely and Realistic.
  • Get support from relationships: Having supportive relationships tends to be better for your mental health. Aside from spending time with your family and friends, get involved in college events and activities.

To learn more visit: https://www.mindsoother.com/blog/8-quick-self-care-strategies-for-college-students

Tell us how you are taking care of yourself at home by tagging us on Facebook and Instagram OR send us an email at studentlife@nic.bc.ca and we will share your insights.
#WeAreNICe #Thrive #NICatHome

If you need any support through this time, please reach out to us. You can find information on NIC's counselling services, along with links to community supports, including 24hr crisis lines, on NIC's Counselling page.

We encourage you to join our NIC Student Life Facebook group to connect with us, share your views and stay updated on events and information on student life at NIC. Go to NIC's Facebook page and click on “Groups”.

Healthy Eating - scroll down for another delicious recipe. Send your healthy recipes to studentlife@nic.bc.ca.

2020 Fall Virtual Orientation:

Visit the NIC Virtual Orientation 2020/21 page to access online information sessions about Fall 2020 and win prizes. Sessions are offered in a combination of pre-recorded and live formats.

Pre-recorded Sessions: These sessions include a short video or presentation to help you discover all the people and resources to support your success here at NIC. The sessions include: Virtual campus tours, COVID 19 information and safety protocols, Scheduling and registration, Academic integrity, Healthy Relationships, Checklist to Success, Student Life and opportunities for getting involved, and more.

Live Sessions:

Live sessions are being offered throughout August and early September and are 1-2 hours long. To register for the live sessions, please send an email to studentlife@nic.bc.ca indicating which session(s) you would like to attend and you will be provided with an online meeting link to join the session. The upcoming sessions are:

Parents and Supporters: This session will provide information for parents and supporters to assist students in making important academic and life choices.

  • August 20, 6-7:00 pm (PDT)

Student Life and Employment Opportunities: How to get the most out of your college experience during these unusual times and steps in searching for employment.

  • August 21, 12-1:00 pm (PDT)

Survive and Thrive at NIC: Supports and Services: An overview of the many academic and non-academic/personal supports available to NIC students. This session will include information on financial aid.

  • August 28, 10-11:00 am (PDT)

If you are a new international student please make sure you visit the International Student Orientation webpage.

For the chance to win a Chromebook, first watch the Win a Chromebook Competition presentation. Then, send your answers to the questions in an email to competitions@nic.bc.ca before 3 pm (PDT) on September 8, 2020.

For an additional chance to win a Chromebook make sure you attend one of our Welcome to NIC live events on September 8.

Supports and Services

The NIC bookstores at all three campuses will be opening between 10 am – 2 pm Monday to Friday starting Aug 17, 2020. (Note: bookstore hours are dependent on the most current Public Health Officer recommendations. Any changes to this will be posted on the student portal and website when available).

NIC educational, financial aid and Aboriginal education advisors are available for online drop-in sessions on Thursdays from 1-3 pm PDT starting July 23 and continuing through August. For the online meeting link and directions on how to join these sessions, email questions@nic.bc.ca or indigenousadvising@nic.bc.ca for Aboriginal advising. Learn more at https://www.nic.bc.ca/life-at-nic/nic-news/news/drop-in-advising/

Our Student Technical Service team is hosting drop-in sessions to answer any questions on how to use Blackboard or MyNIC. Use your computer or mobile device to connect! Learn more at: https://library.nic.bc.ca/studenttech

Learn Anywhere

NIC’s Learn Anywhere website is geared to provide a collection of information that will help you be successful in learning digitally by covering areas such as:

- What is digital learning?
- How to be an effective digital learner while using NIC-supported technologies during your studies
- A list of key skills and knowledge all students should have for successful learning in today’s world
- Knowing your rights and responsibilities
- Having a Technology Readiness Checklists

Photo ID

As a student, you are eligible to receive a student photo ID card. However, with social distancing restrictions currently in place, face-to-face services in Student Services are unavailable. You can still get your photo ID card by mail. To do this, you will need to email — from your North Island College email address — a jpeg headshot between 10-2500 KB and a clear copy of another photo ID (driver’s licence, passport, BC ID, etc) to photoid@nic.bc.ca. Once Student Services have received your jpeg headshot, they will produce your ID card and mail it to the current address on your NIC student record. If you have moved and not updated your address, you must do this, or the card will be sent to the wrong address.

Have you done any research, work, or presentations that would be beneficial for other NIC students that you would like to share to share? Let us know by sending an email to studentlife@nic.bc.ca.

If there is information you'd like to see included in upcoming newsletters or that you would like us to share, please let us know at studentlife@nic.bc.ca.

Enjoy your week and stay well,

Dean Martin and Disha Salhan
Student Life Team

If you wish to respond or have any questions, please click here.

Healthy Eating

Beetroot, hummus & crispy chickpea sub sandwich

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 300g pack cooked beetroot in water, drained, and half sliced.
  • 400g can chickpeas, drained
  • 3 tbsp vegan pesto
  • Olive Oil
  • splash of vinegar (white wine vinegar if you have it)
  • 2 large ciabatta rolls, sliced in half
  • 2 large handfuls mixed rocket, watercress & spinach salad

Instructions

  1. Blitz the whole beetroot, ¾ of the chickpeas, 2 tbsp pesto and 1 tbsp oil in a food processor with some seasoning until you have a thick, smooth hummus. Heat the ciabatta following the pack instructions.
  2. Fry the remaining chickpeas in a little oil until crisp, then set aside. Toss the salad leaves with the remaining pesto and a splash of vinegar. Slice the rolls, then assemble the sandwiches with the hummus, beetroot slices, salad leaves and fried chickpeas.

More at bbcgoodfood

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