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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

A figure stares at a computer as a red, demon-like being with yellow eyes peers over their shoulder. Artificial intelligence is a new temptation in the classroom for students to overcome. (Aidan Renteria | Northern Star)

Cartoon: LifeHACK

By Aidan Renteria, Cartoonist | August 26, 2024

Republican presidential candidate nominee Donald Trump speaks at a rally Friday in Glendale, Arizona. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson believes Trump’s speaking tactics in presidential debates are harmful to the purpose of debates. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump’s debate tactics degrade purpose

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | August 26, 2024

Presidential debates have been significant to presidential elections and campaigns for decades. Former President Donald Trump’s performance in debates, however, undermines the true purpose of a debate.  DEBATES THROUGHOUT HISTORY Presidential...

A computer in the Founder’s Memorial Library displays NIU’s 2024-2025 academic calendar. Some universities outside the United States rely on year-round academic calendars different from the calendar used at most American universities, like NIU. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Consider year-round academic calendar

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | August 25, 2024

Summer break has the perfect weather for summer outings through the different villages of the Midwest, and the perfect opportunity to attend — without pressure — different sports championships, concerts and more. However, the extended break in...

Isaac Garcia, a junior health sciences major, responds to a street interview prompt. If you could take any class, real or imaginary, what would it be? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Why did you choose NIU?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | August 25, 2024

Last week’s Week of Welcome saw many new Huskies – and many experienced Huskies – arriving on campus for the first time this year.  Regardless if you’re a first-year or a senior, all students have made one common decision: we chose to...

Editor-in-Chief Angelina Padilla-Tompkins looks over her shoulder beneath colorful trees in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. Padilla-Tompkins joined the Northern Star two years ago as an opinion columnist and will graduate from NIU on Saturday. (Courtesy of Thalia Padilla-Tompkins)

Editor-in-Chief Angelina Padilla-Tompkins says goodbye

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | May 5, 2024

Dear reader, Two years ago, I joined the Northern Star as an opinion columnist. My first piece was basically a look both ways on in-person vs. online classes. Today, I am signing off.  My time at the Northern Star became a defining feature in not...

Two images show President Joe Biden (left) speaking on May 2 and former president Donald Trump speaking on May 1. Generation Z shouldn’t be distracted by outrageous personalities, such as on social media and at rallies, in the upcoming general election. (Alex Brandon, Morry Gash | AP Photo)

Outrageous personalities don’t equate good presidents

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist | May 5, 2024

Amidst the buzz of For You pages, X notifications, Instagram discovery pages and political headlines, political conversations and memes are rising around the presidential rematch taking place this fall. However, it's crucial to remember that the entertainment...

Nicole Zurita, a senior child development major, responds to a street interviews prompt. Do your goals align with what you wanted when you were younger? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Changing goals

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | May 2, 2024

Goals. Everyone has them. They are a crucial part of life: the object that pushes people forward as they strive to accomplish everything they desire.  Some people have lofty goals, like winning an Oscar award. Some people are a bit more modest...

One “Just Well & Dandy” panel depict the brothers, Well and Dandy, and their uncle. In this comic, they find a moment to just slow down and relax. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

All is: Just Well and Dandy

By Christa Kim, Cartoonist | May 2, 2024

Two students with pensive expressions study a professor with three stars above his head but only one star filled in. Students should consider Rate My Professor reviews when registering for new classes and contribute to the website to benefit future students. (Aidan Renteria | Northern Star)

Rate your professors

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | May 1, 2024

With the vast accessibility of information students have at their fingertips, it’s easy to look up courses or professors before selecting class schedules for the semester. Online platforms like Rate My Professors can be useful to students for sharing...

A figure sweats in front of a computer screen that reads “TW” for “trigger warning.” Trigger warnings are critical in media for protecting audiences who may be affected by the representation or discussion of certain subjects. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

Media must utilize trigger warnings

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | May 1, 2024

It is important that movies and other media cover intense issues. Topics such as sexual assault, domestic violence and abuse are all very cruel – but very real – parts of the world.  As such, it is paramount that artists represent these brutal...

Various pills are scattered on the table. May will begin National Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's important to discuss the benefits of mental health medication as a form of treatment. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Normalize mental health medication

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | April 30, 2024

Medication is one of the greatest advancements in the history of humankind. It has changed people’s ability to live healthy lives and done exponential good for those who take it. Of the different types of medication, those that provide support for mental...

A little personified brain experiences different types of finals across four quadrants: final exams, final presentations, final projects and final papers. As you conquer these final hurdles before summer, which type of final do you prefer? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Which type of final do students prefer?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | April 30, 2024

Finals are around the corner, and students are preparing to take exams and finish projects, papers or presentations. Finals exist to evaluate a student’s understanding of the entire course material. They also serve to test if students are retaining...