If you have a little trouble adjusting to the first few days back after Winter Break, believe us, we feel your pain. TCC staff members returned to work Jan. 2 after a two-week break, and we had a hard time dragging ourselves in the first couple of days. Some of us spent a few too many late nights carousing with family and friends or catching up on old H.R. Pufnstuf episodes on Netflix. But we’re in full swing now, and we assure you that after a few early bedtimes and a few cups of coffee, you’ll be swinging, too.
Make 2012 the year you take advantage of all that TCC has to offer. Don’t settle for just attending class and going home. Get the full TCC experience by plugging in this semester. If you think “Toro” is the brand of equipment our grounds crew uses, then you should probably get plugged in at TCC. Or if the only organization you’re involved with is that group of middle-schoolers who skateboard in the drainage ditch across from the campus, then you should probably get plugged in at TCC. If that doesn’t convince you, then we offer these two simple words: free food. Each campus is offering a full array of welcome-back activities and events, most of them offering free food.
Northeast Campus
Representatives from Student Activities will be strategically placed around the NSTU Student Center and the NTAB Technology and Arts building Jan. 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to dole out information, handouts, directions, snacks, and drinks for Welcome Days.
Northwest Campus
The renovations on the Gameroom and TV Lounge on the second floor of the WSTU Student Center are complete, and the gaming and lounging will kick off with a grand re-opening celebration. Enjoy free music and refreshments from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
The Northwest Campus is hosting a two-day Clubfest Jan. 24 and 25 in the WTLO Theater, Library Offices Lobby. Stop by either day from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 5 to 6 p.m. to learn about the Student Organizations available on the Northwest Campus, and perhaps even sign up for a few that pique your interest. If not, you can just act interested and fill up on free popcorn and soft drinks. To get ready, practice saying, “Ah, yes, I see,” with a mouthful of popcorn.
South Campus
Prepared to be wowed your first week back at the South Campus with their WoW! (Week of Welcome) events. You can rub elbows with the new South Campus President Peter Jordan in the SSTU Cafeteria from 2-5 p.m. on Jan. 17. Or you can just shake hands if you’re not into elbow-rubbing.
Throughout the day, mainly 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 17 -18, you may notice First Impressions tables located strategically around the campus. Stop by to get info on all things South Campus and grab a free snack.
If you’re still hungry after the free snacks, then stop by the SSTU Living Room from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a belated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration featuring free entertainment and food.
Come back to the SSTU Living Room Jan. 19 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. for the Survive in Five event, where you can learn everything you need to know about college survival in five minutes, like where to get free food.
Stay until evening Jan. 19 to take in the Welcome Fest from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the SSTU Cafeteria, featuring music, games, and, you guessed it, free food.
Southeast Campus
Get to class early Jan. 17 and 18 to grab a free breakfast burrito and bottled water in the Main Commons and ESCT Bistro. Student Activities representatives will hand out the free grub and offer directions to class beginning at 7 a.m. Snacks and water will still be available until 5 p.m. after the breakfast burritos run out.
Celebrate Lunar New Year in the Chinese tradition Jan. 23 in the ESCT Bistro. You can see live origami demonstrations and ring in the year of the dragon by sampling free ethnic cuisine at 11:45 a.m.
If you’re planning to transfer to a four-year college or university after TCC, then you can meet with recruiters from dozens of schools to help you plan out your next steps in the Commons from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 24. The event is sponsored by the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO). We were a little disappointed when we found out that TACRAO was not some kind of free taco.
Learn about the Southeast Campus organizations at the Club Expo in the Commons Jan. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Representatives from each organization will be available to answer your questions, and some of them might have a bowl or two of snacks set out.
Trinity River Campus
Arrive early and often for a trio of “Grab n’ Go” opportunities at the Trinity River Campus. The first is a Grab n’ Go Breakfast in the hallway in front of the TRF 1501C Center for Leadership Jan. 17, beginning at 8 a.m. Get there early because it will go fast. Come back Jan. 18 at noon for a Grab n’ Go Lunch featuring free burgers, while they last. Then come back again Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. for a free Grab n’ Go Evening Snack.
If you get too hungry in between the burger and the snack, then stop by the Riverfront Café Jan. 19 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for the brunch-a-licious Pastries with the President; Danishes with the Divisional Deans/ Directors/Departmental Chairs; Fruit with the Faculty; and Scones with the Staff. This is an informal event to foster interaction and carbohydrate intake between students, faculty, and staff.
Top off your week of free food with a free lunch at the Student Feedback Forum in the Riverfront Café Jan. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Stop by the Riverfront Café at 11:45 to pick up a free lunch voucher, and then head down to the dining area to let the vice president for Student Development Services know how your first week was and voice any questions or concerns you may have. After your free lunch, head over to the TRF 1501C Center for Leadership for an Open Session on Personal Branding from 1 to 4 p.m.
After you’ve nourished yourself with all of that free grub, make sure you check out the Student Clubs and Organizations Fair the following week Jan. 24 and 25. Various clubs and organizations will have booths set up along Main Street (TRTR 2nd Level) all day on both days.
So get out there, get involved, and get free food. The early bird gets the breakfast burrito.