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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 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...

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)

Poll: Which NIU club is most impactful?

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | April 23, 2024

NIU has a multitude of student organizations; from its chapter of the American Meteorological Society to Circle K International, everyone can find something they can relate to and a group to connect with. Club-based events are constantly occurring on...

The University of Southern California lines up against the University of Louisville during the American football 2023 Holiday Bowl (left), and Atalanta soccer player Isak Hien charges for the ball alongside Verona player Federico Bonazzoli during the Italy Serie A soccer match on Monday. Which “football” deserves the title more: American football or soccer? (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Poll: Which ‘football’ deserves the title most?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | April 16, 2024

Throughout history, there has been much discussion about the differences between soccer and American football.  Fans of each sport struggle with which of these two sports deserves to carry the title of football, as only the true sport can bear the...

Siberian squill flowers burst up along the East Lagoon, filling a patch beneath the trees with bright blue. What’s your favorite spring smell? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What’s the best spring smell?

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist | April 9, 2024

As April’s first morning light painted the sky, NIU stirred with soft whispers of spring.  Spring is a season of fresh starts, speaking to every Huskie on campus that fresh air is here. It is no ordinary breath, but an inhalation of everything beautiful...

Four quadrants contain symbols from four famous forms of poetry: haiku, sonnet, acrostic and limerick. April is National Poetry Month, what type of poetry is best? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What type of poetry is best?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | April 2, 2024

National Poetry Month is observed in April, honoring the beauty and significance of poetry for aspiring poets and literary fans. The Academy of American Poets founded this month-long celebration in 1996 to celebrate poetry's enormous effect on our lives...

Four quadrants display various artworks, including: a replica of Marcel Duchamp’s 1917 sculpture “Fountain,” Frida Kahol’s 1946 painting “Wounded Deer,” Willem de Kooning’s 1976 painting “Untitled” and Roy Lichtenstein’s 1964 painting “Kiss V.” Which art movement is most inspiring? (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Northern Star Graphic)

Poll: Which art movement is most inspiring?

By Camilla Dziadosz, Opinion Columnist | March 26, 2024

Throughout history, art has acted as a profound bridge between pivotal historical events and the complexity of the human condition. Art encapsulates cultural, social, political and economic facets, often presented in innovative ways for the first time.  The...

Four quadrants display symbols from four famous coming-of-age books: "Looking for Alaska," "The Perks of being a Wallflower," "The Catcher in the Rye," and "The Outsiders." Which coming-of-age book is best? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What’s the best coming-of-age book?

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | March 19, 2024

Coming-of-age books are a quintessential part of literature. They help inspire many generations of readers and writers.  Coming-of-age is a genre that attempts to convey how problems commonly affect young people. This is often done in a real and relatable...

The Spanish, French, Mandarin, German and Japanese translations for each language surround a black heart with a white pawprint. If you could learn another language, what would it be? (Northern Star Graphic)

Poll: If you could learn a second language, what would it be?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | March 5, 2024

Speaking another language has several benefits for college students outside the classroom. Knowing different languages has been found to boost brain function by improving memory, problem-solving and multitasking. The job market is becoming increasingly...

Music notes, a leapfrog, a birthday cake and an engagement ring surround the words: "Leap Year." Do you enjoy Leap Day? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Do you enjoy Leap Day?

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | February 28, 2024

February brings a plethora of events such as Valentine’s Day, the Super Bowl, President’s Day and Groundhog Day. However, every four years is a Leap Year, which adds a day to February, so instead of 28 days, there are 29. The origin of Leap Years...

Delicious but lonely fries rest in a basket without any dipping sauces. What dipping sauce is best with french fries? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What dipping sauce is best with french fries?

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | February 20, 2024

French fries, a quintessential comfort food, are hard to beat. Fries are always a hit, regardless of the cut: waffle, straight, julienne, shoestring or crinkle. Many sauces go well with fries, such as ketchup, cheese, ranch, barbeque and honey mustard....

A copy of William Shakespeare’s 1597 “Romeo and Juliet” shows the title page of the playwright, as printed for Malone Society Reprints in 2000, and is located in the Founder’s Memorial Library. Is "Romeo and Juliet" a love story? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Is ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a love story?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | February 13, 2024

“For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo,” Act 5, Scene 3. The classic Shakespeare play was published in 1597, but whether there was never a story of more love requires debate. Let’s pick it apart, can we call “Romeo...

Iconic fashion looks and symbols from the ‘60s through the 2020s fill four panels. Which decade had the best fashion? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Which decade had the best fashion?

By Camilla Dziadosz, Opinion Columnist | February 6, 2024

As individuals, we express ourselves in many ways, but fashion has often been at the forefront. Over the decades, fashion has been an outlet for creative expression and an important aspect of culture in society.  Each decade has its flare, with fashion...