Hello UIC Flames,

I am Rashi, a first-year PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition. Winter is coming! The days will be shorter, and the nights will be longer, and with the change in the seasonal cycle, a larger number of people will suffer from seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). So, what can we do to overcome depression? Just drink hot chocolate to improve mood, or is there any food that can help? Let’s dive together into nutrition to discover simple tips for overcoming seasonal depression. Studies have shown that people with depression tend to crave more carbohydrate-rich foods, preferably at night. Though these foods can increase serotonin, a “feel-good” brain chemical in the body. However, excessive intake can lead to fatigue and weight gain. A better approach is to add more colors to your plate and variety to your diet (Yang et al., 2020).

Include some fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines, in your diet, as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and promote brain health. Add whole grains and legumes, which are good sources of complex carbohydrates, helping with digestion and playing a role in stabilising serotonin levels. Don’t forget to add leafy vegetables and colourful fruits to your diet to get the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs, as well as the excellent antioxidant properties that protect the brain from oxidative stress and remove toxins from the body. Moreover, add fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, and kimchi to improve gut health, as the gut is considered the “Second Brain” of the body, having a direct connection with the emotional balance. Finally, it is essential to take care of Vitamin D levels, especially during winter when exposure to sunlight is limited. Try to incorporate fortified milk or other fortified foods into your diet to get the benefits of additional nutrients (Marx et al., 2020).

I hope this article gives some insights into nutrition and helps to beat this winter with nutrient-rich food, finding your balance between food and mood.

References:

Yang, Y., Zhang, S., Zhang, X., Xu, Y., Cheng, J., & Yang, X. (2020). The role of diet, eating behaviour, and nutrition intervention in seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 1451.

Marx, W., Lane, M., Hockey, M., Aslam, H., Berk, M., Walder, K., & Jacka, F. (2020). Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms in adults: A systematic review. Nutrients, 12(8), 2402.

Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, everybody!  I live on the north side of Chicago with my husband, Ted, and our 9-year-old cat, Porter. We have 3 kids in their 20s and 2 grandchildren who are 3 years old and 1 year old.

What do you love most about teaching English as a second language? 
The thing that I love most about teaching is that each semester, everyone gets to start fresh: both the teacher and the students. 

What is your funniest moment as an English teacher? 
My funniest experience as an English teacher was a few years ago when my students had the opportunity to visit a 5th-grade classroom in the suburbs. The majority of students were African American, and one of my students was from Sudan. His name was Mohammed, he was Muslim, and all of the 5th graders wanted to ask him questions. Some of the funniest (but most thoughtful) questions were "Are you THE Mohammed?" and "When did you first realize that you were Muslim?" Most of these 5th graders were members of the Nation of Islam, which is a Muslim group that was started in 1930 in the US. The 10-year-olds were so curious about our students, and of course, the international students learned so many new things about growing up in the US.

What book, movie, or television series are you currently reading or watching?

I have several favorites: my favorite TV show is currently Lessons in Chemistry on Hulu; my favorite recent book is American Dirt, my favorite musical group is a quartet from the 20th century called The Manhattan Transfer, and my favorite hobby is doing a logic puzzle in the New York Times called "Two Not Touch." It is very addictive.

If you can have any superpower, what would it be? 
My favorite superpower would be to excel at anything you make with your hands. I am supremely bad at putting things together or making crafts that look okay.  Everything always falls apart, seriously.

What's one piece of advice for students who want to improve their English language skills? 
One suggestion I have for all students is to try teaching a concept in English to another person. Especially find a concept that you do not really understand completely, like a grammar point or a vocabulary word. If someone in a lower level than you asks you a question, don't just say, "I don't get that, either."  Take the time to try to understand it and explain it to the other person. You will be amazed at how you can understand it better.

Daylight Saving Time starts November 2. Most clocks will change the time back by one hour on Sunday at 2 am. If you notice any strange time issues, check your computer to see what the correct time is! But no worries. You'll just be one hour early everywhere, so you'll have more time to work on your English skills.

Unfortunately, after fall comes winter, and Chicago winters can be challenging and cold. Now is the best time to prepare for the cold weather.

Chicago stores that sell affordable, warm clothes include Target, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Burlington, and Nordstrom Rack. You can also shop at thrift stores to find inexpensive, used winter boots and clothes.

For more information, read:

Where to find the best thrift shops in Chicago

Chicago’s Best Thrift Stores 

How to Survive a Chicago Winter (Lessons Learned from a Californian)

OIS Adjusting to Winter Event 

Want even more information about how to be prepared for Chicago winters? Winter safety and outdoor fun will also be included. Then, hop on a bus for the short trip to the loop where Chicago hosts the annual Christkindlmarket. Join the Office of International Services for their informational event about Chicago winters here!

Registration at the OIS front desk will open sometime in early November.

We had such an amazing time at our Halloween party. From watching scary movies to munching on yummy Halloween treats, everyone enjoyed experiencing Halloween together; even our teachers got in on the action with fun and creative costumes not to mention the fact that all the costumes were a big hit. Congratulations to all of the winners this year! 

Future Tutorium Alumni – We Want to Feature You!
Share your story about your Tutorium experience!
We’re creating an alumni spotlight video campaign, and we want YOU to be the voice that prospective international students hear.

Step into the Spotlight:

We’ll be filming on Tuesday, November 11th.

Want to participate?
Email tum2@uic.edu to join the spotlight!

Would you like to experience a tropical vacation that is easier, faster, and cheaper than going to Miami? If yes, then we have just the place for you! Teachers KT and Kris will be leading a group of students to this warm, magical place full of exotic plants and flowers. The field trip is on Friday, November 7th. Meet in Addams Hall at 10:00 am and bring your CTA card. Kris will lead students to the Conservatory and we will meet KT there. The Conservatory is free, so you will only need money for things like snacks and souvenirs. We will be plan to be at the Conservatory until approximately 1:00pm.

Please sign up HERE by Thursday at 1:00pm!

Wednesday, November 19th 

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Join OIS for a Thanksgiving dinner!  All UIC international students are invited to a FREE Thanksgiving meal, which will include foods like roast turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal options will also be included. 
 

You can NOW register for this event! 
 

To register for the OIS Thanksgiving Dinner, please click HERE. Space is limited (you must register RIGHT NOW if you would like to go)!

Day: Tuesday, November 18th 

Time: 11:15AM - 12:15AM 

Location: Grant Hall Room 308

This month’s conversation hour is all about Thanksgiving in America. You’ll learn new vocabulary, English phrases, and fun tips about American Thanksgiving. You’ll also have a chance to practice speaking with students in your class and other UIC students. There’ll be popcorn and snacks for you to enjoy. Bring a friend and plan to be at our next and final English conversation hour for the fall semester! 

The following section of the newsletter is written by Vit Vanicek, one of our teachers here at the Tutorium. With Vit's advice, you're sure to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Your writing assignment is due tomorrow! You still need to start your assignment, but you're feeling very overwhelmed. You already feel insecure about your writing. On top of that, writing in English is not a piece of cake. What do you do? Well, one thing you shouldn't do is plagiarize! To learn more about plagiarism and how to avoid it, read more>>. 

The following section of the newsletter is written by one of our advisors here at the Tutorium. Our advisors are here to help answer questions and steer you toward the right path for you.

Are you applying to UIC for an undergraduate or graduate degree program? 

Did you know that the Tutorium has an English test that you can use instead of TOEFL or IELTS scores for proof of your language skill? This test is called the ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment). Testing Services | The Tutorium has more information.

To take the ELPA, current Tutorium Intensive English Program students must be either in level 5 Reading/Writing (R/W) and Listening/Speaking (L/S) courses or have taken level 4 R/W and level 4 L/S courses and passed either the R/W or L/S course.  

IEP students who have successfully completed level 5 should contact the TIE office to waive out of the ELPA and receive a letter of sufficient English for admission to UIC

Registeration for next semester begins soon!  

Can you believe the fall semester is almost over? Have you started thinking about the spring semester? Soon, your instructor and the admin team will provide you with information about registration for the spring semester and available discounts.

In the meantime, if you have questions, be sure to ask tutorium@uic.edu or stop by the office!

Email questions to tutorium@uic.edu.
Or contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.