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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

Keyondra Muhammad, a junior psychology major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What do you do for self-care? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: What do you do for self-care?

By Emily Beebe and Gray Edelstein | January 21, 2025

In honor of January being self-love month, it’s important to engage in self-care activities. Self-care is good for your mental health and is a good way to unwind after a long day of classes or work. Some students across campus shared what they do...

DuSable Hall sits Friday evening as the sun sets in the background. Which building on campus is the best to have classes in or study in? (Sofia Howell | Northern Star)

Poll: Which NIU building is the best to take classes at or study?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | January 20, 2025

With the return to class, many students may have forgotten their old academic routine. Getting up early and going to class is something we had partially forgotten for a month, taking advantage of the end-of-year festivities.  However, the new semester...

President Donald Trump sits on a throne in a prison cell. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that Trump being sentenced with an unconditional discharge in his "hush money" case is disappointing but not surprising. (Georgie Fortuna | Northern Star)

President Donald Trump’s unconditional discharge is disappointing but not surprising

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | January 20, 2025

On Monday morning, the first ever convicted felon was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States of America, only 10 days after his sentencing.   Donald Trump received his sentence Jan. 10, after the president was found guilty on all 34...

A group of adults play pickleball during the "In the Kitchen" community event which took place Tuesday. Opinion Columnist Ethan Ernst believes more emphasis should be placed on people living a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid contracting conditions such as cancer or heart disease versus treating these conditions once they occur. (Jesus Aranguren | AP Photo)

Society should advocate more for healthier lifestyles

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist | January 16, 2025

The top two causes of death in the U.S. have been heart disease and cancer for years. Treatments for both conditions are expensive, so it would be better for American citizens if they could avoid contracting these diseases entirely. Preventive care...

Gilbert Hall sits in front of Gilbert Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Which NIU residence hall is the best one to live in? (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Poll: Which residence hall is the best to live in?

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | January 16, 2025

As a college student, especially a first-year student, you may decide to live in a residence hall in order to have a sense of freedom and live away from home. Other times, depending on how far away you live, you may be required to live in a residence...

Fireworks and a party hat sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Are creating New Year's resolutions pointless or not pointless? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: New Year’s resolutions

By Emily Beebe and Jackson Shields | January 15, 2025

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS AREN’T POINTLESS By: Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor Like clockwork, with the beginning of a new year comes a flood of new resolutions, each bearing an unspoken promise that says this year will be better than the...

Christina Fiedler, a junior rehabilitation and disability services major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are you most looking forward to this semester? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: What are you most looking forward to this semester?

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | January 14, 2025

In honor of the new semester starting, you may be excited about seeing old friends, being involved in clubs, your new classes or even graduation. Some students across campus shared what they are most looking forward to this semester. What are you...

Christmas lights, a ladder and a table with sparkling apple cider and a cup are shown on top of Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson’s roof in Anchorage, Alaska. As part of her New Year’s Resolutions, Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson wants to work on her anxiety regarding unexpectedly losing loved ones. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Taming anxiety during the new year

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | January 14, 2025

This New Year’s Eve, like every New Year’s Eve, my dad hauled a table and camping chairs to our roof for our annual firework-watching countdown. He lovingly decorated the scene in Christmas lights, turned on “Auld Lang Syne” and brought out a...

The Haribo Commons is located in Barsema Hall. Even though business majors spend most of their time in Barsema Hall, anyone can study there. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Best study spots at NIU

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | January 13, 2025

Welcome back, Huskies! As the new semester starts, you may be looking for some spots to study. You might even be thinking of spots that aren’t as popular and crowded as the Holmes Student Center or the Founders Memorial Library. Or, you may want...

Kristy Schomaker, a digital services commercialization leader at Trane Commercial, sits at a table and speaks during the AI and Machine Learning panel discussion as part of the Engineering Showcase on Nov. 15 in the Engineering Building. Opinion Columnist Lalita Rai believes that women entering the STEM field should advocate for themselves and not feel outside pressure from men. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Women entering the STEM field need to advocate for themselves

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist | January 13, 2025

Women should take the initiative to advocate for themselves and their rights, particularly when it comes to male-dominated spaces like the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) field. Marie Curie, a two-time Nobel Prize winner in physics...

A graphic depicts the words "No to Plastic," a turtle covered in plastic, the Earth inside a plastic bag and a seal stuck inside plastic. Opinion Columnist Lalita Rai believes more should be done to reduce the amount of plastic pollution on Earth. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Society needs to do more to reduce effects of plastic pollution

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist | January 12, 2025

Plastic is everywhere; Not a day goes by where we don’t use it. It is ubiquitous, from water bottles to medicine. However, its prevalence comes with a significant problem: Plastics are made from non-renewable resources and are not biodegradable.  More...