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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Lucy Atkinson

Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist

Lucy Atkinson is a junior from Anchorage, Alaska, double majoring in journalism and earth, atmosphere and environment with an emphasis in earth and planetary science. She first joined the Northern Star in the fall of 2022 and previously served as the opinion editor. In her free time, Lucy enjoys reading, going for runs, playing piano and collecting notes on Illinois’s beautiful flora and fauna.

All content by Lucy Atkinson
Haley Heckermann, a junior management major, responds to a street interviews prompt. Would you rather be the pranker or the one pranked on April Fools Day? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: April Fools

By Emily Beebe and Lucy Atkinson
April 1, 2025
The plaque representing the Northern Star time capsule sits Monday evening. As the opening date of the time capsule approaches on April 16, Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson describes both the importance and nostalgia of opening time capsules. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Opening a time capsule: A moment to relive the past

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
April 1, 2025
A cartoon depicts a bright red moon, known as the Worm Moon, sitting in the sky. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues the importance of a worm's world and how we should appreciate it. (Kaylee Rutherford | Northern Star)

Appreciate worms and soil health

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
March 30, 2025
A graphic depicts a speech bubble, the words "Stop mansplaining," gender symbols and a man and woman talking. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that cis men need to stop mansplaining. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Cis men, stop mansplaining

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
March 27, 2025
Mercury and different astrological signs sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is Mercury retrograde real or a superstition? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Mercury retrograde

By Lucy Atkinson and Nia Jackson
March 26, 2025
A graphic depicts a heart, a laughing emoji, flowers and a hand held up to an ear to represent listening. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson believes people should enjoy all of the disorder and noise that comes with having too much to love. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

A love letter to thin walls and perfect chaos

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
March 6, 2025
A bunny and a chirping bird sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is the start of spring more recognized through the meteorological or astronomical calendar? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Arrival of spring

By Lucy Atkinson and Gray Edelstein
March 6, 2025
Elon Musk poses while speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 20. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that the Department of Government Efficiency is complete chaos. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Trump, Musk behaviors are glaring red-flags

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
March 4, 2025
A deer and a moose sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is taxidermy right or wrong? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Taxidermy

By Sofia Didenko and Lucy Atkinson
February 27, 2025
President Donald Trump points as he arrives to speak at the Future Investment Initiative Institute Summit Wednesday. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that Trump's cuts to federal science funding is harmful and hurts scientists. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Trump’s attacking science, not purging waste

By Lucy Atkinson and Gray Edelstein
February 20, 2025
A cartoon depicts a squirrel eating a carrot while sitting on top of a snowman. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson encourages readers to not be sad about a long winter because there are environmental benefits to having a long winter. (Nicholas Rojas | Northern Star)

Appreciate winter, despite the cold

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
February 14, 2025
Riley Day, a junior visual communication major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are your plans for Valentine's Day? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: What are your plans for Valentine’s Day

By Emily Beebe and Lucy Atkinson
February 12, 2025
A graphic depicts the five different love languages. What is the best love language? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Poll: What is the best love language?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
February 10, 2025
A phone shows numerous apps such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that in regards to the TikTok ban, President Trump is not the hero in bringing TikTok back. (Getty Images)

Trump is not TikTok’s hero

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
February 6, 2025
A manual toothbrush and an electric toothbrush sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Are manual or electric toothbrushes better? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Manual vs. electric toothbrushes

By Lucy Atkinson and Ethan Ernst
February 6, 2025
Mount Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley, located in Alaska, reflects in a pond. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that Trump's order to change the name from Mount Denali to Mount McKinley is highly offensive to Alaskan culture. (Getty Images)

Mount Denali’s name change is disrespectful to Alaskan culture

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
January 29, 2025
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
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
Savanah Brandt, a junior communications major, responds to a street interview prompt. If you could receive any gift this holiday season, what would it be? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Holiday gifts

By Jackson Shields and Lucy Atkinson
December 9, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump's appointed "border czar" Tom Homan speaks to state troopers Nov. 26. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson believes Homan is among Trump's selections for White House officials which are a cause of concern. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Trump’s White House selections prophesize disaster

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
December 5, 2024
An analog clock in 12-hour time and a digital clock in military time sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week. Is telling time in two 12-hour periods or one 24-hour period more inconvenient? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: 12-hour versus 24-hour clocks

By Ethan Ernst and Lalita Rai
December 5, 2024
Abby Byer, a junior business administration and hospitality and tourism management major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What winter holiday are you looking forward to? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Winter holidays

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
December 2, 2024
A modern instant camera, “instax mini 12,” sits in front of two vinyl records. Opinion Columnist Sofia Didenko see Generation Z’s appreciation for nostalgic analog technology as a worthy way to jump back in time. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Generation Z’s analog technology obsession lifts spirits

By Sofia Didenko, Assistant Opinion Editor
December 2, 2024
Magenta rhododendrons, pink petunias, orange anemone flowers, red columbine, blue gentians, hyacinth and yellow carnations sprout from a cartoon Earth under the words: “Mother Earth arranges a Victorian bouquet for America, November 5, 2024.” During the Victorian era, flowers were used to express hidden meaning; the flowers in Mother Earth’s bouquet symbolize America’s failure to protect her by allowing another Trump administration to occur. Rhododendrons express a warning, petunias symbolize hatred and resentment, orange anemone flowers symbolize withered hopes and desertion, blue gentians express the message ‘you are unjust,’ red columbine symbolizes anxiety, hyacinths symbolize sorrow and yellow carnations symbolize disappointment and foolishness. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Floral message

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
November 21, 2024
Kayla Schaffer, a senior health and human sciences major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are your plans for after graduation? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Graduation

By Lucy Atkinson and Sofia Didenko
November 19, 2024
A candle glows orange over a transgender pride flag. In an Express Yourself opinion piece, Christy-Lynne Lapine reminds readers that the Transgender Day of Remembrance is not a celebration, but a commemoration of transgender lives lost. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Express Yourself: Transgender Day of Remembrance is commemoration, not holiday

By Christy-Lynne Lapine
November 18, 2024
Nuclear reactors, a solar panel and a wind turbine sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is nuclear or renewable energy more beneficial and realistic? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Nuclear and renewable energies

By Ethan Ernst and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
November 13, 2024
Five segments display five elements - sodium, iron, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen - as they appear on the period table and with a basic atomic structure diagram. Which periodic element is most like your personality? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: Which periodic element best represents your personality?

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist
November 12, 2024
Alessandra Alvizo, a first-year law student, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are your stress levels at right now, and how do you manage that stress? (Northern Star Grahic)

Street Interviews: Managing stress

By Lucy Atkinson and Sofia Didenko
November 4, 2024
A young child watches as Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris speaks Monday at a campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson pleads for voters to think of America’s future generations and cast a vote for Harris this election. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Vote for Harris, vote for the future

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
November 4, 2024
The word "Vote" is surrounded by various symbols representing issues important to the American public this presidential election. With just a few days until the election, which issue is most important to your vote? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: Which issue is most important to you this election?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 31, 2024
Nick Cipra, a senior geology major, poses in a large paper mache horse head as BoJack Horseman for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest. Cipra's first time using paper mache was for the creation of this costume! (Courtesy of Nick Cipra)

BoJack Horseman costume wins Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 30, 2024
Three contestants for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest pose in their costumes. Vote for your favorite costume before the spooky ballot closes at 5 p.m. Oct. 30! (Photos courtesy of Tiajuana Hernandez, Jacob Chupich and Nick Cipra)

Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest: Vote now!

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 29, 2024
Ballots that read "Yes on City Clerk" float into a green ballot box. Former second ward alderman Bill Finucane encourages DeKalb voters to vote yes on City Clerk this election, which will change the City Clerk from an elected to an appointed position. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Express Yourself: Vote yes on City Clerk

By Bill Finucane
October 29, 2024
Shopping bags, a ghost holding a trick-or-treat bag, and craft supplies sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is it better to wear store-bought or homemade Halloween costumes to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Store-bought versus homemade Halloween costumes

By Ethan Ernst and Lalita Rai
October 28, 2024
Blood with a low battery symbol drips behind a salt shaker labeled “Boundaries” and a garlic head labeled “self-love.” Energy vampires might not seem as threatening as Nosferatu, but it’s important to to prevent the energy vampires in your life from draining you too often. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Don’t let the energy vampires get you

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 27, 2024
A table in the Founders Memorial Library displays Safe Passage items and information. Opinion Columnist Lalita Rai encourages all cultures, religions and societies to abandon the dangerous ideology that women should remain in every marriage, even abusive ones. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Love should never be violent

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist
October 23, 2024
Five segments display different planets and symbols associated with them, all surrounding a tiny astronaut reading a book. If you had to take a remote class in outer space, which planet would you choose to study on? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: Remote learning in space

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist
October 23, 2024
A tombstone reads “The Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest” between a smiling jack-o-lantern and a black cat. The Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest will open for submissions Oct. 23 and close 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest commences

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 22, 2024
Emma Alquicira, a junior elementary education major, responds to a street interviews prompt in Spanish. What impact do you hope to make in your career? (Northern Star Graphic)

Spanish Street Interviews: What impact do you want to make?

By Lucy Atkinson and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
October 21, 2024
A red squirrel gnaws on a walnut shell on a tree branch at East Lagoon. NIU’s campus is delightfully graced by the presence of many squirrels, and taking the time to watch them can cheer an anxious mind. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Love letter for fluffy-tailed friends

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 21, 2024
A letter that reads “Por los que no están con nosotros,” or in English “For those who are not with us,” floats over a path of footprints surrounded by 20 Latin American flags. As Latino Heritage Month comes to an end, Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez emphasizes the need to both celebrate the cultural impact of Latin American communities in the U.S. and remember the sacrifices made by Latin American immigrants. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Por los que no están con nosotros

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 16, 2024
Alli Simmons, a junior communication studies major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What’s your favorite meal at the dining halls, and what would you most like to see changed about the dining halls? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Dining halls

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 14, 2024
A wildfire blazes Saturday near Arnegard, North Dakota. The increasing rate of wildfires is a steady warning signal that we need swift climate action. (Arnegard Fire Protection District via AP)

Wildfires are warning flags, not just tragedies

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 9, 2024
Elimelech Freites-Alvarado, a sophomore biochemistry major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What’s your game plan if the zombie apocalypse starts on NIU’s campus? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Zombie apocalypse

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
October 7, 2024
Tamiah Griffin, a freshman art major, responds to a street interview prompt. How often do you skip classes, and do you think attendance should be mandatory? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Attendance and missing class

By Lucy Atkinson and Sofia Didenko
September 30, 2024
North Carolina, a ballot box and a comment symbol sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Mark Robinson, the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, is facing controversy after multiple offensive comments were traced back to him by CNN. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Mark Robinson

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Will Thiel
September 30, 2024
A figure sits thinking in front of a rainbow gradient of humanities field symbols, while spiky speech bubbles coming from off-frame read: “Useless!” “Worthless!” and “Low Pay!” Opinion Columnist Sofia Didenko believes labeling certain majors useless is both harmful and untrue. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] No major is useless

By Sofia Didenko, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 29, 2024
Five segments display different symbols for a variety of fiction genres, including: fantasy, mystery, horror, sci-fi and romance. What is your favorite genre of fiction? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What genre of fiction is your favorite?

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 29, 2024
"Faulkner Studies," volumes one through three, sits on a bookshelf near other famous literary works in the reference section of the Founder's Memorial Library. Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields encourages the consumption of challenging art to promote deeper thinking. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Try art that challenges your thinking

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 26, 2024
A sad, little stomach cries in a thought bubble surrounded by various breakfast foods. What college kid breakfast do you think is best? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What college kid breakfast is best?

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist
September 24, 2024
A sketching hand and clapperboard are shown inside a TV beneath the word “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week: Animation versus live-action TV. Is animated or live-action TV more engaging for viewers? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Animation versus live action

By Jackson Shields and Sofia Didenko
September 23, 2024
Brianna Sanders, a junior nursing major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What is your earliest memory, and what do you think is best about being a child compared to being in college? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: From childhood to college

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 22, 2024
Two orange mushrooms grow side-by-side on a mossy forest floor in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson and her older sister were delighted to find the mushroom pair in August, looking like another little pair of sisters. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

No friendship like a sister’s

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 22, 2024
A hand drops a coin into a tip jar. It won't destroy you to leave a tip, Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson argues, so choose to be courteous next time you get the chance. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Don’t be grumpy, leave a tip

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 18, 2024
Cash and a credit card are separated by a “versus” symbol beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Should society go cashless? Credit cards may be much more environmentally friendly, but cash has greater security against cybercrimes. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Should society go cashless?

By Jackson Shields and Sofia Didenko
September 16, 2024
Maya Al Massad responds to a street interviews prompt. In honor of the late actor, what was your favorite thing about James Earl Jones? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: James Earl Jones

By Lucy Atkinson and Will Thiel
September 15, 2024
A self-love heart floats above the palm of a hand as hearts float down toward another pair of open hands, which are about to grasp a letter. From the love of her great-grandmother, Tootsie, Editor-in-Chief Olivia Zapf has learned to push through life with care for herself and others. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] The most important skill: loving yourself, others

By Olivia Zapf, Copy Editor
September 15, 2024
A nest of paper wasps is covered with busy wasps inside the "Don't Walk" pedestrian sign at the intersection of Annie Glidden and Normal Road. Wasps and hornets are the subject of many people's fear, but especially as autumn approaches even the creepiest crawlies become vulnerable. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Sharp edges are vulnerable too

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 11, 2024
Four quadrants display different methods of public transportation, including: ferries, trains, buses, bikes and scooters. What method of public transportation is your favorite? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What’s your favorite method of public transportation?

By Sofia Didenko, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 10, 2024
An eye peers out beyond chaotic gray and brown scribbles. Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields views his anxiety as a myopic - or near-sighted - enemy that aims to keep him from meaningful experiences. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] My myopic self and I

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 10, 2024
A figure in bed sits between a map icon for school and a map icon for home beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and the subject of the week: first-years on campus. Should first-years be required to live on campus? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: First-years on campus

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Will Thiel
September 9, 2024
I’liyah Jones, a freshman health sciences major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What’s the nicest thing someone’s done for you today, and what’s the nicest thing that’s ever been done for you? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: National Courtesy Month

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 8, 2024
Yellow and blue flowers and a line of school pencils surround a cartoon school building and the country Ukraine. Opinion Columnist Sofia Didenko grew to love the Ukrainian School she attended as a child, grateful for the exposure it provided to her heritage. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Too cool for Ukrainian school

By Sofia Didenko, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 4, 2024
TyLyn Martin, a junior pre-med major, responds to a street interviews prompt. How did you handle the heat on campus? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: How do you manage heat on campus?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 3, 2024
A Huskie reaches through trees in a forest, staring uncertainly at a calculator and a compass that reads “Deficit Plan.” Students and faculty should not be overtly concerned about the deficit, but Huskies should also be aware that NIU is not out of the woods yet. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Editorial: NIU deficit not dire but worth attention

By The Northern Star Editorial Board
September 3, 2024
Box fans line the windows in Neptune West, one of the residence halls without air conditioning. How do you manage the sweltering heat on campus? (Lucy Atkinson| Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What’s the best way to spend a hot day?

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 2, 2024
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris talks with Liberty County High School marching band members Wednesday in Hinesville, Georgia. Popular social media platforms are among the tools the Harris Walz campaign is using to generate engagement with young, Gen Z voters. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Kamala HQ campaigns right with social media

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
August 29, 2024
Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson’s 12-year-old knees are crossed with bandaids. For children, scrapes are evidence of fun at the playground, just like failures as adults should be viewed as evidence of progress. (Courtesy of Shelley Atkinson)

Failure isn’t scary on summer legs

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
August 28, 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 Columnist
August 26, 2024
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)

[Photo] Consider year-round academic calendar

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
August 25, 2024
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 Columnist
August 25, 2024
A suitcase sits in front of a door. When going on summer vacations, you should prepare for travel to make the most out of your trips. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] How to survive vacation

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor
April 30, 2024
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)

[Photo] Poll: Which type of final do students prefer?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist
April 30, 2024
An exam paper and six floating question marks rest under the word "Look Both Ways" and the topic of the week: standardized testing. Should standardized testing be eliminated or embraced? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Standardized testing

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Will Thiel
April 29, 2024
A grey square reads “No internet connection. Please check your internet connection and try again,” beneath the WiFi symbol. Don’t worry, you’re not missing out, and no photo will ever load here, but this image is a headache most people are well-accustomed with in the modern world. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star Graphic)

[Photo] Editorial: Internet needs federal funding in modern world

By The Northern Star Editorial Board
April 28, 2024
Four quadrants display symbols associated with four different types of NIU clubs: Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, Department Clubs and clubs that are just for fun. Which club makes the most impact on campus? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: Which NIU club is most impactful?

By Olivia Zapf, Copy Editor
April 23, 2024
The molted exoskeleton of a cicada nymph is left behind in the grass. The emergence of cicada broods offer us a unique opportunity to celebrate big change in our own lives. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Embrace the cicada swarms

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
April 23, 2024
A squirrel and geese rest under the words "Look Both Ways" and the topic of the week: Wildlife campus takeover. If one of the two had to take over campus, what would you prefer: squirrels or geese? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Campus takeover, squirrels vs. geese

By Olivia Zapf and Lucy Atkinson
April 22, 2024
A donkey and an elephant linked together by a yellow connection are snipped apart by a large pair of scissors. Given the meaningful values that are often linked to our political beliefs, it is OK to break ties with family and friends over politics. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star Graphic)

[Photo] End ties over politics

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist
April 21, 2024
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