Spotlight
Northern Essex Community College has started moving some courses from Blackboard to Brightspace, and many students are already noticing the change. While most classes still use Blackboard, a growing number are testing Brightspace this semester, which has left some students working with both systems at the same time. Freshman business student Andrew Baker said the switch has been confusing in a few ways. “I have one class on Brightspace and the rest on Blackboard,” Baker said. “It gets a little hard to keep track of everything when I have to go back and forth.” Even with the challenges, he said he prefers the look of the new platform. “I like the layout on Brightspace more. It feels cleaner and easier to read,” he said. Another student, Brendan Ballon, said he has used both systems before and has a clear favorite. “Brightspace is more user friendly,” Ballon said. “It does not take as long to find what you need.” The college plans to move all classes to Brightspace in the future — by summer 2026. Many students are still adjusting. Some prefer to stay with what they already know, while others say they are ready for the change. As more classes…
NECC students’ anticipation for the spring semester is blooming. Grappling with upcoming final projects and tests, students at NECC plug away at the remaining course load, register for new classes, and ready their plans for winter break. Even the most studious students worry about their final exams. Joe Miller, a student at NECC, who plans to major in Geo-Informational Science after transferring, anxiously awaits the beginning of the end. “I know I won’t fail, but no, I don’t feel confident,” Miller said. Some students, like Miller, plan to use their time over the winter break to take care of extra classes. Miller cites the ice and snow on campus for the reason he wants to take his final lab online. Other students, like Dez Kelly, plan to use their winter break otherwise. “I decided not to do any winter intercession courses, I just need a break,” Kelly said. Even though fall flew by, and Kelly laments their time spent in classrooms with their peers. “Ive gotten used to seeing the same faces, gotten to know a few people,” they said. Kelly looks forward to the spring semester, and expressed their interest for the next session of classes. “It’s gone so…
Northern Essex Community College is is getting ready for finals week!It’s the end of the Fall 2025 semester with students preparing for finals and checking to make sure they have turned everything in.
Featured Articles
By Lidia Ramirez, Editor-in-chief
Northern Essex Community College recently welcomed staff and students to gather for a memorable event of acknowledging and sharing different international foods and music from different cultures. International Flag & Food Fest, was held on the second floor of El Hefni Building in Lawrence Campus on November 18 from noon to 2 p.m. The event was hosted through a collaboration of some of the NECC staff including Maria Hernandez from the There were foods from different cultures set up near different flags from different countries. NECC students and staff trying foods from different cultures. International Admissions, Giselle Peguero from the…
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Sports
By By John Mulcahy, Sports Editor
NECC men’s soccer team celebrates fifth place national finish. The NECC men’s soccer team put on a show this season and made some waves in the championship race. NECC soccer fans witnessed something special this year as their team played a top-notch campaign. The team made it all the way to the men’s NJCAA championship quarterfinals after an impressive season and according to the NECC Knights home page they finished in fifth place nationally for NJCAA men’s soccer. Stats from Presto Sports show them having a record of 13 wins 4 losses and 1 tie. Their most impressive stretch of…
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Arts & Entertainment
By By J.T. Melanson, Arts and Entertainment Editor
The final exam period has concluded and the last paper was submitted. The silence on the Northern Essex Community College (NECC) campus is palpable. After weeks of driving willpower and pushing boundaries, this is officially the time to transition from high-gear academic action to low-gear reflection and celebration. For this final installment of Tarot Talk? We accept closure, reflect on our journey, and prepare for the new opportunities that this break—and the next chapter—shall bring. These three cards serve as the Final Report Card for the semester, offering symbolic guidance on how to properly wind down and look forward. A…
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Opinion
By Katie Yeaton-Hromada, Coordinator for Career Services and Internship Programs
Congratulations – you made it to the end of the semester! Whether you’re starting a winter class, working, prepping for spring semester, or doing a bit of everything, now’s a great time to invest in your future. We’ve pulled together some career resources you can start using right away. Pick one the at speaks to you to get started! Career Exploration • What Can I Do With This Major? is a website featuring 100 major profiles with info on common career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities. • Visit: https://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/what-can-i-do-with-this-major/ • U.S.…
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