All posts by Quinlan Cooke, Opinion Editor

The prevalence of procrastination

Procrastination is a large issue when it comes to school work, but how common is it? Is there a difference between procrastinating in high school versus college?

Have you ever gone to turn in a discussion board a few hours before it is due and noticed that your submission is still the first?

This is not as uncommon as some might think. In fact, a study from the APA (American Psychological Association) says that “80 percent to 95 percent of college students procrastinate.”

Really, how big of a problem is procrastination?

Is procrastination a habit carried on from high school? And is procrastinationg in high school versus college different?

A similar study from a Magoosh survey on high school students report that 86% of high school students procrastinate on work.

Is there a difference in not only the prevelance of procrastination in high school versus college but also the thoughts behind the procrastination? High school students and college students might see a difference in the importance of the work they are doing.

“I procrastinate my high school work more because I have a more personal relationship with my teacher… they will be more lenient whereas my college professors are more professional.” said dual-enrollment student Joseph Boregesi.

Borgesi goes to both NECC and a local high school, so he has experience with both levels of procrastination.

On the other side of the conversation, “(I am a) huge even massive procrastinator. I feel like I procrastinate college work because I have that class less frequently,” said another dual-enrollment student, Jake Pitre.

He finds that it is easy to avoid the work for a class he does not frequently attend.

It might seem that there is less work to do when you only physically attend class once or twice a week, whereas you are in high school every day.

Both interviewees currently attend high school and college classes, and they differ in their opinions of which type of schoolwork they procrastinate more.  Procrastination depends on the person who is supposed to be doing the work. It might depend on the class, the leniency of the teacher/professor, type of a assignment, or how long someone is given to get it done? Some might feel like the further away an assignment is, the less they have to do when it is assigned, and then the deadline creeps up and there is far less time than expected.

Everyone views the work they have to do differently, but it seems that the general consensus among students is that procrastination is the way to go. To keep away from procrastinating, some make sure their calendar is up to date and give themselves time limits instead of the due dates that already exist. To-do lists of assignments are also very useful, as long as they are actually stuck to, and not just looked at.

The sound of politics

Music and its subsequent effect on voters; from Kamala Harris being BRAT to Trump’s controversial rally playlists

Amid the upcoming election, everything has a role and effect on its outcome, especially music. Candidates rely on several things for votes and connecting with potential voters, including music and the support of artists to appeal to voters. Some candidates might not intentionally use music to rile up voters, but it still causes a stir and publicity. How have some of this year’s political candidates used music to their advantage (or in some cases, disadvantage)?

Recently, Donald Trump has been under fire for pausing a rally in Pennsylvania on October 14 to play music for his crowd instead of discussing politics. Trump said, “Let’s not do any more questions. Let’s just listen to music. Let’s make it into a music. Who the h*** wants to hear questions, right?”. Trump played nine songs and took up 40 minutes swaying on his heels behind his podium on stage while his supporters watched.

Originally Trump had paused the rally because there had been two people to pass out, so you can imagine the conditions. It is unsure what stopping talking about politics to listen to music would do for the condition of the rally and how it would help others to not pass out, but that is what he (Trump) decided to do nonetheless.

Many find the playing of so much music to be ironic considering several artists have taken legal action to stop Trump from playing music at his rallies or publicly condemned him or his usage of their music. Many are upset that Trump wasted the time of his supporters for a “dance party” instead of discussing what he would like to achieve if he wins the election. Voting day is mere weeks away and instead of trying to earn more votes, he shows off his playlist.


Let’s not do any more questions. Let’s just listen to music. Let’s make it into a music. Who the h*** wants to hear questions, right?

– Donald Trump


After this melodic display, some are worried about Trump’s well-being, even his opposers. Vice President Kamala Harris even acknowledged this incident at her own rally just a few days later. Kamala Harris is also no stranger to using music to reach voters, but her attempt at this has been met with much more open and less critical arms.

Harris is using music differently, not to entertain herself in front of valuable voters in a known swing state. Harris is capitalizing on the popularity of Charli XCX’s BRAT album for her campaign. She is appealing to young and first-time voters by connecting with what is popular and important to them. And unlike Trump, she has the support of the artists she uses to promote herself.

Harris’s team has created a TikTok account because of the success of people saying she is “brat.” Many people created “edits” of Harris to Charli XCX songs when the album first dropped, as it correlated with Harris first announcing her presidential candidacy. Harris and her team immediately capitalized on the fact that music brought her more popularity, especially in such a neglected demographic (in the political sense). Her team and “Kamala HQ” utilize music to make TikToks and interact with artists, which draws in a large number of potential Gen-Z voters.

Kamala HQ was so fast and methodical with their promotion of Kamala Harris using the brat album that Charli XCX both noticed and positively acknowledged the interactions, despite her not even being from the United States. Charli XCX tweeted “kamala IS brat.” Harris and Trump clearly differ in the way the artists they use for their campaigns publicly acknowledge them, and it will have an effect on the way some vote.

While both candidates embrace the music that is around them, they differentiate in the type of music they use, the listeners for the music, and how they use the songs and albums. One promoted herself online to millions of potential new voters, and the other used precious rally time to play from his playlist.

With the election approaching swiftly, it is crucial to take into account the actions of the candidates you are considering, but ultimately it hinges on the policies of everyone involved. 

While instances like these might be entertaining and newsworthy, there is nothing more vital than the beliefs of those you are voting for.

The rise and fall of a Midwest princess?


“Actions speak louder than words, and actions speak louder than an endorsement.”

– Chappell Roan


Chappell Roan and her politics. Do people care too much and have higher expectations for those they have parasocial relationships with?

Chappell Roan is an up-and-coming pop star with a spotlight beaming on her. She has one album and millions of critics gabbing about her political views and boundaries with her identity and fans.

Roan recently posted to her TikTok about endorsing a political candidate due to the fact that she had not yet spoken about one; even though she has always stood up for her views in a very open way on stage and online. She has shown unwavering support for Palestinians, the queer community, reproductive rights, etc.

Chappell Roan cover of her song Good Luck, Babe!
Chappell Roan @chappellroan. 2024, April 5. “Good Luck, Babe!” cover photo. Photo by @ryanleeclemens

Roan does not tolerate harassment from “fans” in public and feels she does not owe her time and energy to those in public when she is not in character or performing. On the street, she feels like she is a random person because people who are fans of her do not truly know her.

Why do fans even expect these things in the first place? What gives people the entitlement to think that someone they have never met owes them a photo or a hug? These things are due to parasocial relationships.

Parasocial relationships are one-sided, between a regular person and a celebrity or fictional character. People consume so much content of these public figures and gain a sense of security in a faux relationship. They see so many of these people on social media and assume there is a connection between them; but in reality, the public figure has no clue of the watcher’s existence.

The one-sided connection gives a false sense of security, meaning that when they see the object of their admiration they feel like they deserve something. When you are a fan of someone, think about what you would do if you saw them in public. Now imagine you are a famous person, constantly overwhelmed by those asking to take photos with you while you are attempting a mundane task like grocery shopping; it would get overwhelming.

These types of relationships threaten the well-being of both parties involved.

The observer in the relationship feels like they are owed something and have a relationship with someone they have never actually interacted with; and the public figure in the relationship is frequently bombarded by strangers.

Roan has made it publicly known that she does not owe these people anything and that she will not partake in fulfilling the fantasy of a parasocial relationship.

Casual fans of Roan expect too much; she is not their friend; Chappell Roan is a persona. Her personal life is personal, and that is the way she wants it to stay; she does not want a hug from a stranger expecting one on the street, and neither would most people. Roan researches the political candidates people so desperately want her to endorse and finds that their policies do not align with her ideals, so she does not endorse them. Most political people would do the same. Who would want to risk putting their entire brand/business behind one person who does not completely align with them just because others want them to?

In short, Roan is protecting her own brand and personal sanity by being so frank online. She is deflecting from parasocial relationships she wants no part in and defending her mental status. She is true to her political and personal beliefs and wants everyone, even fans, to know that she is going to stick with herself and not do what is generally expected of a pop star.

Songs through the semester

Students share how music mood changes depending on time of year

Music reflects every aspect of a person’s life, from the mood they are into what they are learning in school.

As the semester starts and progresses here at NECC many are studying while enjoying music in some capacity.

What music comes to mind when you think of a studying playlist at the beginning of summer? Some have summery songs and a lifted mood when a semester begins, which can fade as assignments and a chilly breeze sets in. Others have a playlist so diverse that it can be appreciated year-round and at any point during the academic semester.

One student said “Mine (playlist) depends on my mood, almost entirely… it varies based on my present mood and situation.” This dual-enrollment student, Jake Pitre, has an eclectic music taste that is easily swayed by his mood, situation, and even how/what he is doing in sports and school.

Another student disagrees completely. “I keep all different sorts of vibes in my playlist at all times… so don’t need to switch it (ever),” said Nina Pelosi, another dual-enrollment student with an eclectic taste, but who believes one playlist can encompass all of her thoughts, feelings, and life events.

There is a third opinion here that comes into play; the person with the taste who changes gradually. The songs change with the color of the leaves. This type of person has a rolling music taste that can change depending on many factors. The popularity of music rises and falls, which can affect the playlist; songs align with someone’s mood, and tempo, and the artist can determine when someone listens to something, especially when compared to the time in a semester.

In fact, “I think my playlist definitely changes… Like during the fall I listen to Noah Kahan” said Robbie Comtois, dual enrollment student-athlete. He is a prime example of many people who feel the seasons and semester affect his playlist.

Coincidence or not, here at NECC, the start and end of a semester correlate with the start and end of a season. Here at NECC, the fall semester starts at the end of the summer, and assignments begin to roll in when autumn starts and there is a chill in the air. The end of this semester and the start of the “spring” semester correlate with winter. As the spring semester starts, so does winter, and the semester ends when spring truly begins. There may be a final or two at the same time the rain is pouring, to mark the beginning of the spring.

Music can reveal so much about a person, and that is true here at NECC. Students share playlists and how/if they change throughout the semester. Some attribute the changes to the school itself, or the season around the school. No matter what someone’s current playlist is, they all have one thing in common; the fact that music brings people together. A good song or playlist can reflect any mood at any given time, no matter when in the semester it is played.