NOTES: pg.2 editor’s note pg. 3 self - help pg. 4-5 school map pg. 6-7 interviews
Hello everyone!
My name is Megan Kane and I am the editor of the Agora.
This is my first semester on staff and at MCCC. I’ve always loved receiving my news through newspapers but, as time goes on, I have found that they may not be the most efficient way to spread information to our audience.
Instead of the typical newspaper, we will now be printing zines.
This is Agora’s first ever zine. The staff worked together to make this zine a
way to share MCCC information and content in a creative way. In this Issue, we follow the theme of a backto-school survival guide.
There will be three more themed zines this semester. Look for our next zines on these dates:
Oct. 17
Oct. 31
Dec. 12
If you have any suggestions for future zines, story ideas, or content for any of our platforms, please contact me at agora@monroeccc.edu.
Editors
Megan Kane
Lexi Greenwood
Ella Foshag
Staff
Michael Moser
Tyler Pennington
Will Johnson
Adviser
Matthew Bird-Meyer
Editorial Policy
The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room 213 of the Campbell Academic Center, (734) 384-4288, agora@monroeccc.edu.
The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press. It is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Association, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.
Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you would like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper. Email submissions to agora@monroeccc.edu.
Sept. 26, 2022
Summer has officially come to an end and school is back full swing. Back to school, especially as a college student, can be full of so many stresses. I for one have entered this school year with a lot of different emotionally tasking things hanging on my shoulders. Beyond the normal school anxieties surrounding grades and class loads, I have started the year with financial strains, a miscarriage, and trying to make sure I am being a great parent and wife. I have spent so much time trying to be strong for the people around me. I realized this year I have not been taking care of my own mental health. Struggling with mental health can be so debilitating at times I feel frozen in time, like the world is spinning around me and I can not keep up anymore. I know in order to have a successful school year and to overcome some of my emotional struggles the first thing I need to do is acknowledge to myself that I am not doing OK. I have also learned that not being mentally and emotionally fine is perfectly normal and that sometimes just talking about it can lift so many burdens. I have spent a significant portion of my school career thinking the only way to be a successful student is to dive deep into school and push all my other problems aside. Pushing my emotional needs aside has only made focusing on school and living my personal life 10 times harder than they need to be. This year I have decided that I am going to focus more on my mental health by allowing myself to walk away, take breaks and talk to someone when I am struggling. Taking a step back from my work when I am getting tunnel vision and too stressed about whether I am right or wrong has really helped my brain reset and refocus. I have found that allowing myself to walk away and jump start my brain again has helped me feel more confident in what I am doing with school and has allowed me the time to really work on my other stressors. Back to school may always come with stress, and life is never going to stop throwing dodgeballs but, if I focus on my mental health more I may just be able to start enjoying the new adventures that come with each semester. My mental health may not heal overnight however, I am taking steps in the right direction and that is what matters the most. This school year is the year I let myself become me again. This is the year I reach out when I am battling a mental health war and stop trying to just get by.
healthMCCChasfreemental services available on Youcampusforstudents. mentalcanfindadditional health resources on
the back cover
CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER
At MCCC there are a variety of students. From the traditional students to the ones continuing their education, the Agora staff was able to interview one from each of the selected categories. To fit the survival guide theme, students were asked fun and easygoing questions as opposed to the formal interview style.
If you could only bring one item with you to a deserted island, what would you bring? Something that will start a fire Spirit animal? Wolf
Super power? Keeping peace
Weakness? Algebra
What are you studying? Anything that interests me
Least favorite subject? Algebra
Power up? Dark chocolate
Armor? Goodwill
If you could only bring one item with you to a deserted island, what would you bring?
My Bible Spirit animal? Falcon
Super power? Making friends
Weakness? Housekeeping
What are you studying?
Business
Least favorite subject?
Economics
Power up? Nuts
Armor? “Just my size”
Weapon of choice
Pencil
Weapon of choice Pen
Level? continuing-ed student
Level? non-traditional student
Scan this QR code and fill out a survey on what “character” you are. Results will be featured in our next zine.
One item for the island?
Helicopter
Spirit animal? Bird
Super power? Convincing
Weakness? Driving
What are you studying?
Business
Least favorite subject? Math
Power up? Protein bars
Armor? Pacsun
Weapon of choice Pen
Level? Middle college student
One item for the island?
Thermal water can
One item for the island?
Fishing rod
Spirit animal? Wolf
Super power? Writing
Weakness? Painting
What are you studying?
Education
Least favorite subject? Math
Power up? Clif Bar
Armor? Wrangler or Carhartt
Weapon of choice Pen Level? Traditional student
Spirit animal? Turtle
Super power? Reading skills
Weakness? The ocean
What are you studying? As of right now, Spanish
Least favorite subject? Physics
Power up? Gushers
Armor? Old Navy or H&M
Weapon of choice Pen
Level?
Dual-enrollment student
