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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

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...

A cartoon depicts dark blue ribbons representing colon cancer, red hearts, and the words “Cancer sucks,” “Hope,” “Love” and “Strength.” Opinion Editor Emily Beebe believes you should never take life for granted because life is too short. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Never take life for granted

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | January 12, 2025

It was 2022 when I received the worst news in my life. Little did I know that 2022 and half of 2023 would follow suit. In December 2022, my father was diagnosed with Stage 3C colon cancer, which was one step away from metastatic cancer, which is cancer...

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)

Too cool for Ukrainian school

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist | September 4, 2024

I remember pushing through the heavy iron doors, taking a breath of air that smelled 50 years old and tasted like a sour spider's web. I greeted the man at the front desk and told him my grandpa said hi on my way to the classroom.  I was probably...