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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Columnist Max Honermeier and members of NIU's Outdoor Adventures on the Chicago river.

That Time I… went kayaking

By Max Honermeier, Opinion Columnist | October 4, 2022

When my alarm went off at 7:15 a.m., my first thought was to turn it off and go back to sleep. But then I remembered: I’m going kayaking again today. Still groggy, I heated up my morning brew, shoveled down a bowl of Joe’s Os and walked to NIU’s...

You can celebrate spooky season by carving pumpkins, watching scary movies or go to a pumpkin patch like Jonamac Orchard.

Poll: How do you celebrate spooky season?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 4, 2022

From the flashing colors of the maples and oaks, to the cool breezes now promising relief from summer’s heat, it feels as though nature's full celebration of autumn is finally underway.  Spooky season is officially here. The ninth of October is...

Columnist Max Honermeier broke his neighbor's window with a rocket he made.

That Time I… broke my neighbor’s window with a rocket

By Max Honermeier, Opinion Columnist | October 3, 2022

There’s few things more exciting than lighting a fuse and running away. Watching that green string turn to sparks, burning down to meet something extremely flammable gets the heart pumping like nothing else. When that pyromaniacal rush applies to someone...

Career fairs offer opportunities for networking, resume help, workshops/ seminars and practice for interviews.

Career fairs are essential for students

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | October 1, 2022

Many students struggle to find internships and job opportunities after college; but, if students attend university career fairs, they just might find what they are looking for.  College career fairs are specifically designed to aid students in exploring...

Philosophy is the process of critically thinking about the world. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Unpopular opinion: Philosophy is boring

By Philip Arduini, Opinion Columnist | September 30, 2022

When entering college, students have a plethora of options for career choices. However, regardless of major, many students must take a humanities course such as philosophy. Such was the case with myself, and it was easily the least interesting course...

Poddar describes his time hiking with friends and family during lockdown.

That Time I… went hiking with loved ones

By Abhishek Poddar, Opinion Columnist | September 30, 2022

There's a mixed school of thought about working from home. Recent happenings around the world did lock us all in for a while, but one thing was certain: there was a lot of time at hand. I have always thought of myself as a tinkerer when it comes to nature....

Angelina Padilla-Tompkins discovered her newfound love for stingrays on a trip (Courtesy of Angelina Padilla-Tompkins).

That Time I… discovered my love for stingrays

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | September 29, 2022

For the first 19 years of my life, I had never seen a stingray before. In “Finding Nemo” maybe, but never in real life.  I also had never been to the St. Louis Zoo, but that all changed in a single fun-filled weekend.  In May 2021, my boyfriend...

U.S. President Joe Biden waves as first lady Jill Biden watches standing at the top of the steps of Air Force One before boarding at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. President Biden said during and interview broadcasted on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if China tries to invade the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing as part of its territory, adding to displays of official American support for the island democracy in the face of Chinese intimidation.

The U.S. needs a clear policy on Taiwan

By Philip Arduini, Opinion Columnist | September 29, 2022

With the threat of war between the U.S. and China looming, the Biden administration needs to stick to a clear policy on Taiwan.  In an interview with 60 Minutes’s Scott Pelley, President Biden made his thoughts abundantly clear that U.S. forces...

The WHO admits the pandemic is not over but the end of it is near.

Mr. President, the pandemic is not over

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | September 28, 2022

President Biden sat with American journalist Scott Pelley for a CBS News 60 minutes on Sept. 19. Throughout this interview, Pelley and Biden discussed various controversial topics, such as inflation, China and Taiwan as well as student loan relief. Still,...

Columnist Angelina Padilla-Tompkins believes NIU can do more for their transfer students.

NIU drops the ball on programs for transfer students

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | September 27, 2022

NIU prides itself in being a great place for transfer students but does little for them once they arrive on campus.  Across the United States, many students choose to attend a community college before transferring to a university. 31% of community...

Founders Memorial Library is one of the many options on campus to use as a study spot.

Poll: What are the best study spots at NIU?

By Max Honermeier, Opinion Columnist | September 27, 2022

Most college students have been in this situation: There’s a big test to study for or a paper to write, but there’s something in the way. Maybe it’s a distraction nearby, or there’s a lack of inspiration to get the creative juices flowing. Environments...

While being one of the top states in public schools education, Illinois education policies hans't fixed the problems that has come up since the pandemic started.

Illinois politicians should focus on education policies

By Quade Evans, Opinion Columnist | September 26, 2022

It’s no secret that the political climate as of late has been troubling to say the least. In the midst of all the fighting between Democrats and Republicans it becomes difficult to see what they even agree on anymore. The one thing that they do have...