All posts by Priscila Genoa, Correspondent

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Top Notch Players present Love Letters virtually

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The NECC Top Notch Players and the Liberal Arts Divisiom have refashioned theater as you know it with a virtual fall semester production of Love Letters.

Love Letters, a play originally created by playwright A.R. Gurney, is a charming slow-burning love story that allows you to experience the development of the relationship between two childhood friends, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, as they exchange letters over a period of 50 years about family, love, loss, careers, and inevitable regrets.

The production was streamed from December 10 to December 12 on Zoom in a performance directed by NECC theater and communication professor, Brianne Beatrice. Though the Zoom performance date has passed, the production can also be accessed on Vimeo.com

The frivolous art-loving character, Melissa Gardner, played by Samantha Wheatley of Lowell, comes to life in this production as she wonderfully contrasts her long-time friend, the melodramatic and talkative Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, played by Stephen Caliskan of Acton, but nonetheless, they keep in contact with each other in all that they go through as they lean on each other through the highs and lows of growing up.

Theater lovers are sure to enjoy this performance for its intimate qualities. The subtle visuals of the characters picking up each letter before reciting it aloud and the change in tone that emerges as the characters’ grow older are just the tip of the iceberg to the dedicated performances of Wheatley and Caliskan.

The virtual play is an immersive experience for the viewers due to its intimate set up off of the stage and onto your screens, allowing the viewer to be less of an audience member and more of an onlooker onto the characters’ most cherished and confidential moments.

If you find yourself viewing Love Letters and loving what you see, The NECC Theater Program humbly encourages Venmo donations which can be made to @Brianne-Beatrice with the named donation entitled, “Love Letters.”

Donations such as these can help aid more student productions as well as increasing the quality and realism of future productions.

Features, Slider

Three generations of Northern Essex Students share their experience at the community college    

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How has the experience of Northern Essex Community College changed over the years?

Three generations of NECC students reflect on their time at the school and offer alumni tips on how to get the most out of your years in college.

As all students have been made aware of, the 2020 caronavirus swept the educational world off of its feet and resulted in the closing of schools all across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom. With the distinctive rise of e-learning, education has changed dramatically for Northern Essex and all schools alike.

Northern Essex Community College has been teaching students since 1961 with many successful graduates along the years. Lissette Alvarez, of the Gen X generation is a Northern Essex Alumni and attended the school from 1996 to 1998 and is currently a Branch Supervisor at Metro Credit Union.

She reflected on her years at Northern Essex and decided, “My favorite part of my years at Northern Essex was the student job that I had at the Haverhill Department.”

She went on and explained how the campus, for her, was not only in a convenient space, but was also a spacious campus for her to enjoy and attend her studies.

The next alumni that spoke to me about her time at Northern Essex was Jamilette Genao, of the Millennial generation who graduated from the school in May of 2018 and is currently a Sr. Specialist, Personal Banker at Santander Bank. She was extremely thoughtful when looking back at her time on The Northern Essex Campus:

“What I liked about Northern Essex was the community. Professors of mine made a big effort for students to be involved with the events taking place on campus and made sure we were aware of all of the resources and tools we had readily available to us as students. Northern Essex has multiple campuses making it convenient for students to get what they need e.g. signing up for classes near home at Common st., Haverhill as my main campus and study spot at the library, testing at Franklin st campus etc. As a student, I always felt like the way the school functioned was catered to the students and them getting their education in a comfortable and stress-free environment.”

According to a study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, it was believed if a student was involved in 10 or more hours of counseling-related extracurricular activities per semester, they would likely be satisfied with their graduate school experience. While the results did not show involved students were dissatisfied with their graduate school experience, the results also did not prove involvement had a positive effect on satisfaction.

As well, according to a 1993 article by Alexander Astin, almost any type of student involvement in college positively affects student learning and development.

Specifically, a student’s peer group is the most important source of influence on a student’s academic and personal development. By identifying with a peer group, that group may influence a student’s affective and cognitive development as well as his or her behavior. So, Jamilette’s academic success and overall satisfaction in her years at Northern Essex had a great amount to do with the involvement she had in the school.

However, the 2020 online schooling brought a different experience to the Gen Z freshman, Manny Baez. He gave a greatly candid reflection on his first semester:

“I understand that this semester is different than how Northern Essex usually runs, so even though it’s not the freshman year I expected, I’m trying to make the best out of it as I know that the staff is as well. If there’s one thing that has really helped me this semester, it’s the guidance of some of the staff members and teachers.”

Amy Bintliff, a developmental psychologist and professor in the University of California, San Diego’s department of education studies, said in an article that mismatch between expectation and reality can be difficult for students. Part of that is because important milestones, like graduation, can’t happen the way they were envisioned. Traditional-age students may struggle uniquely with the loss of certain coming-of-age experiences. She’s noted lowered motivation among college students she’s surveyed, and a sense of alienation.

Alvarez gave a thoughtful piece of advice to all Northern Essex students for better enjoyment in their studies:

“I understand that these are completely different times but still I encourage the students to enjoy their years of college because usually people see their success as a destination but every stage and year in college is important and has something you can highlight as a positive experience. Someone who only sees success as the final destination will never be happy. Enjoy all that the semester involves.”

Jamilette Genao focused on educational and study tips that may help both grades and student mindset:

“Advice I would give to students besides staying organized and on top your assignments is to get out of the house and study in a new, distraction-free space. A coffee shop, a park, Barnes and Noble… For me being in a space dedicated just for my education let me focus and stay on top of all of my responsibilities. It helps with self-discipline. I’d also advise students that theyr’re not alone and to reach out to peers. Even though we can’t meet in person, it always helps to get help, a second opinion or just to talk to someone who can relate to you and is at the same place as you in life.”

When I approached Baez with this advice, he responded with great hope and reflection:

“For me, this semester has been a lot about getting used to the online classes and assignments, but as a goal for next semester, I would like make a relationship with one or more of my peers online.”

Even though remote learning is a difficult adjustment to make, as the Greater Boston school psychologist, Dana B Silverberg, said in an article that contains student psychology tips, “A positive attitude and a flexible mindset are key to make the online transition as smooth as possible.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campus Life

Students share tips on how to keep your immunity up during finals stress and cold winter months

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Why is self-care imperative for students during the winter of 2020?

A 1982 study from the Ohio State University College of Medicine found that stress weakens the immune system.

Three students recently shared personal tips on how they plan to stay healthy and untroubled while finishing off this fall semester strong.

As the weather changes, students continue their studies, and the holidays are approaching, it is important for everyone to remember to partake in activities that help boost the immune system.

Emmanuel Baez, a freshman at Northern Essex Community College, gave insight largely on how he tries to keep a healthy lifestyle: “I think that the three main things that help me feel my best is a good diet, good exercise, and a good amount of sleep. I drink a lot of water and eat foods that are high in vitamins, I exercise when I can, and even though I can get really busy with school, I think it’s really important to prioritze a healthy sleep schedule.”

He followed this up with the words, “Sleep is really important because it determines the mind-set you’ll have the next morning when you wake up.”

When it comes to health, a healthy diet is not the only thing that contributs to feeling your best. One’s mindset greatly determines their immune system as well. When it comes to Finals week, students may observe that their mindset fluctuates based on their worries due to their schoolwork. According to a study conducted by MentalHelp in 2016, Thirty-one percent of students surveyed said that finals were the biggest source of their stress.

Rose Alvarez, a freshman at Northern Essex Community College, added to this concept of the mind affecting the body due to school related stresses: “Finals week can be difficult for students because there is a lot of work that needs to be done in such a short span of time. I find that meditating before I start my work helps me when I over-analyze or stress for no reason. However, it’s all about finding what works for you and helps you relax best. It could be dancing, singing, drawing, listening to music, yoga, or even just taking a quick break.”

Luis Lopez, a freshman at Middlesex Community College, took a joyful and spirited approach to how he plans to keep calm during finals week: “I think that it’s always good to give yourself something to look forward to when you’re working or studying too much. So, I might do a study session, then reward myself with a treat. Then maybe I’ll complete a couple assignments and afterwards watch a Christmas movie. I might even do a study session through FaceTime if I think that the company will help me.”

Lopez added with ueful advice: “If you find yourself drained or unable to complete your work without constant negative thoughts at the back of your head, then that’s when you need to take the time to recognize that you may need to step back and take a moment of self-care.”

Self-care comes in many forms and it can be either physical or mental. Sometimes, self-care can just be about being honest with yourself or taking time that is exclusively for yourself. Nonetheless, self-care is extremely crucial during the coronavirus pandemic as it can be a dominant factor that keeps a community of people safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News, Uncategorized

How working students have adapted to online schooling and learned to balance their schedule

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Studies such as one from  the American College Health Association state that 45% of college students feel like they experience “more than average” stress reveals the mindstate that many college students are in now.

Students from all different years in school share advice on how they balance their lives while also highlighting that they too feel occasional waves of stress or uncertainty, which is completely normal for all students who are busy with work and adapting to a new way of learning.

Litzie Alvarez, a freshman at Northern Essex Community College, works as a medical assistant at a chiropractor’s office and as a PCA for a boy with Down Syndrome. Her take on her online schooling is that it gives her more flexibility: “My schedule is really hectic, so when it comes to online classes, I’m allowed to push school aside when I’m doing things such as work while also allowing me to find an allotted time for me to sit down and give my all to school.”

According to an NYU study, 53% of students report having felt so stressed they didn’t want to hang out with friends on one or more occasions.

Keila Santana, a junior at Umass Lowell and a Universal Banker at Align Credit Union, added a point that greatly complemented Litzie’s statement as well as revealing how she balances her personal time with her work and school schedule:

“I have done a class online before the mandatory online schooling that has happened due to coronavirus, but it couldn’t have prepared me for having all of my classes online,” she said. “One way that I was able to adapt was when I realized that online school makes my school work more portable, so I can do my work anywhere. I take my laptop to my job, my parent’s home, or my boyfriend’s home, and that way I can tend to my school work and do my leisurely activities. I try to multitask whenever I can.”

Interestingly, all three students that were interviewed confirmed that they use a planner to organize their due dates. Both Alvarez and Santana said they find that using paper planners have helped them because they get to color-code their important assignments.

Kyara Cruz, a senior at Greater Lawrence Technical School within a Work-Study program, also has begun using a paperback planner, however, she gave advice to anyone who doesn’t want to buy a planner or someone who benefits from a digital approach:

“I have also used Google Calendar in the past as well as using the Notes App on my phone to create weekly to-do lists to keep up on my assignments and tasks from school,” she said.  “I find that both have helped me greatly. I think that the most important thing when it comes to creating a planner for yourself is to keep up with the work that you have and personalizing it so it fits you best. If you don’t like doing paperback planners, try planning on your phone and vise versa. Find what works for you.”

The top three things that each student mentioned when advising anyone who is struggling to balance their schedule were to organize themselves, prioritize their work, and take advantage of the time that they have.

Alvarez also added a more personal piece of advice to her peers: “Every student gets stressed at least once within their academic career, but it’s important to not let things overwhelm you and keep you stressed. Take a deep breath, write a list, and take it one step at a time.