August 2022 Newsletter

Hi Ho, Highlanders! Welcome (back) to MCC! We’re so glad you’re joining us for the fall semester. This month, we’ve curated a newsletter & back-to-school checklist to help you prepare for a successful academic year. Read on!

Spotlight: On-Campus Resource

Did you know that the LTC (Learning Technology Center) offers an abundance of resources for your academic success?

In the Learning Commons, you’ll find the library, study rooms (great for Zooming in to class if you need to bring a child to campus), computers, printers, tutors, charging cables, and more!

The library will provide you with any print or digital resource you need as you're completing course assignments. If you need help with anything at all, just ask a librarian! They LOVE helping you find resources.

IT offers all the tech support you can imagine! If you need help with your password, Brightspace, email, wi-fi, or various softwares, reach out!

The LTC also lends technology to students who qualify. This includes portable WiFi and laptops. For more information, reach out to the CREW at 254-299-8561 or crew@mclennan.edu.

Spotlight: Off-Campus Resource

As part of the back-to-school checklist, we want to make sure you’re well-fed! SNAP has a special program designed just for college students that offers a nutrition grant to those who qualify. If you need assistance applying for SNAP or would like more information about the program, contact the CREW at crew@mclennan.edu or 254-299-8561.

Shout-out!

Thank you to Mario and his team over in IT for being on top of all things tech! This crew is quick to assist with any questions or concerns–which keeps students and faculty/staff in sync with their classes and technology. Be sure to say thanks if you pass by in the LTC.

Self-Care Tip

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your success this upcoming semester is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep—and that your sleep routine is consistent. Studies have shown that students who sleep a full 8 hours the night before an exam do better than students who pull an all-nighter.

As students, caregivers, and employees, it can sometimes be challenging to get prioritize healthy sleep habits. So here are a few tips to try.

As much as possible, have a consistent bed time and wake time. Even if you’re tired in the morning, the routine will help set your internal circadian clock, making it easier for your body to get high-quality sleep when you’re in bed. It’ll take a few weeks to adjust, but it’ll be well worth it.
Keep your phone out of your room or at least far enough away from your bed so you won’t use it in bed. This will help you fall asleep faster and get up quicker in the morning since you won’t be able to scroll social media in bed or hit the snooze button. Bonus: create a bedtime routine that relaxes you so your body knows to start winding down and you don’t even miss your phone!
Keep your bedroom dark, and try to mimic the light and dark cycles of the sun throughout your house during the day. This means dimming the overhead lights after sunset and opening the curtains when you wake up in the morning.
Try not to nap. Napping throws off your circadian rhythm and makes it even harder to set or maintain a consistent sleep schedule. If you do nap, try to keep it to 20 minutes or less. Longer naps allow you to enter a sleep cycle which makes it even harder to wake up after (also known as ‘sleep inertia’). But 20 minutes can be the perfect pick-me-up without jeopardizing your sleep that night.
Be conscientious about what you eat or drink in the evening. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as both of these drinks lower sleep quality. Also limit refined carbs, sugar, and fatty foods before bed. Instead, try milk, whole-grain cereal, or a banana as an evening snack.

Read more tips in this article: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/getting-better-sleep.htm

Easy Recipe

This month we’re sharing a recipe for homemade frozen pizza bites—like bagel bites but cheaper and YOU control the ingredients! These are great because you can make a dozen at a time or more and last for about 3 months in your freezer. Customize the toppings as you see fit so everyone is happy with their personal pizzas! Grab a few for lunch in a pinch or eat them as an afternoon snack to tide you over until dinner. You can’t go wrong with these mini pizzas!

Need any ingredients? Swing by Paulanne’s for some non-perishable goods (toppings yum!), frozen meat, cheese, and/or milk!

Frozen Mini Pizzas

Prep Time: 8 hours
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 8 hrs, 15min
Servings: 12 pizzas

INGREDIENTS

6 English Muffins
3/4 cup pizza sauce
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella
Salad Bar Vegetables*

INSTRUCTIONS

Line two small baking sheets with foil or parchment paper (or do one sheet at a time, preparing the second batch the second day). Open the English muffins and line them up on the baking sheets with cut sides facing up.
Spread about 1 Tbsp pizza sauce over the surface of each muffin, then top with about 2 Tbsp shredded mozzarella.
Chop the salad bar vegetables into very small pieces, then divide them evenly among the pizzas. Press down lightly on top of each pizza to help compact the toppings and keep them in place as they freeze. Cover the baking sheets with plastic wrap and freeze for about 8 hours, or until the pizzas are solid.
Once the pizzas are frozen solid, carefully transfer them to a gallon sized freezer bag for long term storage (you may need two bags). For the best results, the pizzas should be cooked and eaten within 3 months.
To bake the pizzas, take out the number you wish to bake, place them on a baking sheet, and let them partially thaw as you preheat the oven to 400ºF (about 7 minutes). Once the oven is fully preheated, bake the pizzas for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Baking time will vary depending on your oven and the amount of toppings on the pizzas.

NOTES

*A salad bar is a great place to get a small amount of a variety of toppings. Many larger grocery stores now include ready-to-eat food, including salad bars.

NUTRITION (per 1 serving)

Stats

Shepherd’s Heart: Two distributions in July that served over 400 people in McLennan County.

Paulanne’s Pantry: 39 Highlanders served in July.

CREW This Month

Wednesday & Thursday, August 24/25 [10am-1pm]: Get Involved Fair @ MCC Campus Lawn

Swing by the lawn in front of the Student Services Center building to learn about all the ways to get involved at MCC this semester. We’ll have a table and are eager to tell you all about the CREW!

Thursday, August 25 [9:30am-1pm]: Health Screenings & Food @ First Baptist Church Waco

Prosper Waco is hosting a fun morning of health screenings (including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and COVID-19 vaccines), family activities, and free food! Come on over to First Baptist Church at 500 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76706.

Thursday, September 8 [3-4pm]: Shepherd’s Heart Food Distribution @ MCC Lot R

Swing by Lot R for FREE food from Shepherd’s Heart! Free and open to anyone in the community!

View past newsletters here: https://www.mclennan.edu/campus-resource-guide/newsletter.html

*Composed by Emma Cartisano*