NIC @ Home Student Newsletter - Aug. 24

Hello NIC students! We are pleased to present your weekly Student Life newsletter with information and updates and hope that you are getting outside to enjoy the beautiful hot days, while remaining cognizant of physical distancing measures in place to keep yourself and others safe!
Student Life at Home
 
Campus services and spaces are operating with reduced hours or different delivery methods during the pandemic. Study spaces, computer labs and services are available at NIC this fall. To learn more about hours and services visit www.nic.bc.ca/safe-start-fall/campus-services-and-spaces/.
 
The NIC bookstores at all three campuses (CV, CR, and PA) will be open between 10 am and 2 pm Monday to Friday starting Aug. 24, 2020, subject to changes in Public Health Officer recommendations. Any changes to this will be posted on the student portal and website.
 
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 is 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, please do so to ensure your student ID is mailed to the correct address.
 
Reminder: 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 well-being. 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: Do you have a budget?
 
Before you start your new term this September, it is worth taking a minute to reflect on how you are managing your money. Here are few tips from UBC Alumnus Ryan Patrick Jones that you might find helpful.
 
  • Make a budget: Generate a spreadsheet and assess your income and expenses for the coming year. If your expenses exceed your income, plan how you can reduce your expenses or increase your income.
  • Track your expenses: Tracking each expense will help you see any spending patterns and help you to assess if you need to make any changes.
  • Spend on what you need not what you want: This will give your budget a breathing room and extra money to save every month.
  • Follow and update your budget: It is important to stick with your budget and keep it updated with any changes.
  • Look for 'free money' for school: Apply for scholarship, awards, and bursaries.
  • Be smart on how you pay for your tuition: look for different payment methods to pay for your tuition and choose the one with fewer fees added to your total fee amount.
  • Save money on textbooks: Look for deals on textbook, rental programs and NIC's Book Buy and Sell Facebook page.
  • Save money at home: Cook meals at home, buy your groceries in bulk, make your own coffee, plan your meals and use grocery and food coupons.
  • And most importantly, reach out for help: Book and appointment with our NIC Financial Aid Advisors.
    Share with 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 on your behalf. #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 24-hour 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 Facebook page and click on 'Groups.'
 
Healthy Eating - scroll down for another delicious recipe. Send your own healthy recipes to studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
 
2020 Fall Virtual Orientation:
Visit the Virtual Orientation Webpage to access exciting and informative Fall Orientation 2020 online sessions and win prizes. Sessions are offered in a combination of pre-recorded and live sessions.
 
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. Access pre-recorded sessions at https://www.nic.bc.ca/life-at-nic/explore-our-college/nic-virtual-orientation/
 
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 and you will be provided with an online meeting link to join the session. The upcoming sessions are:
 
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.
  • Aug. 28, 10-11:00 am (PDT)
 
Welcome to NIC: In this session, we offer a warm NIC welcome to all new students, in addition to a brief review of important orientation information, and a chance to win prizes!
  • Sept. 8, 10:30-12:00 pm (PDT)
  • Sept. 8, 1:00-2:30 pm (PDT)
You do not need to register for September 8 session, as the meeting link will be shared soon.
 
If you are an international student please make sure you visit the new 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 Sept. 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
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 required materials.
For sponsored students, you may email your details to imc@nic.bc.ca and if we are able to accommodate you at the time of emailing, we will do so (stock dependent).
You may also check the NIC Student page at Login Brothers/NIC — 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, in order to link correctly with your class.
NIC educational, financial aid and Aboriginal education advisors are available for online drop-in sessions on Thursdays from 1-3 pm PDT throughout 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 learning digitally by covering area such as: What is digital learning? How to be a 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 and Technology Readiness Checklists. More details at: https://learnanywhere.opened.ca/
 
Have you done any research, work or presentations that would be beneficial for other NIC students that we can share? Let us know by sending an email to studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
 
If there is information you'd like to see us share or include in upcoming newsletters, please let us know at studentlife@nic.bc.ca.
 
Enjoy your week and stay well,
 
Dean Martin/Disha Salhan
Student Life Team
 
If you wish to respond or have any questions, please click here.
 
Healthy Eating
 
SHEET PAN CHICKEN AND POTATOES
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
 
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 4-6 boneless thighs
  • 1 1/2-2 pounds baby red and/or gold potatoes
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons dry Ranch seasoning mix (about two packets)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (shredded or from the green can)
 
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and pound chicken breasts to even thickness (less than 1 inch throughout). Grease a large sheet pan and set aside. 
  2. Arrange chicken and potatoes on prepared pan in a single layer. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper, Ranch seasoning, and garlic powder. Toss to coat well. Sprinkle parmesan over the potatoes. 
  3. Bake for 15 minutes, then switch to broil for 3-5 minutes until potatoes are crispy and chicken is browned. (Watch carefully so it doesn't burn). Garnish with parsley if desired and serve. 
 
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