Observer Department: Features
A youthful Christmas
It is that time of the year again… Christmas season is upon us. The holidays have a way of brining us back to the childhood memories of family and presents. For the holiday spirit we thought it would be nice to interview kids ranging from ages 3-10 about their up-and-coming…
Redefining relationships during COVID: How the pandemic has changed the way we socialize
People are naturally social creatures, so it should come as no surprise that a pandemic which is best fought with isolation, would take a toll on our relationships. Jocelyn Avila, 20, of North Andover, has noticed a change in her relationships during the pandemic. Avila, who studies journalism and communications and works at a Digital Federal Credit Union as a customer service representative, says it has been…
American Dream Profile Series: Xiqiang Hong
Xiqiang Hong lived through the Chinese Cultural Revolution in 1966 and eventually immigrated to the United States. I was given the privilege to talk to him about his thoughts on the American Dream and how his life experiences shaped his perception. When I spoke with him, he was very friendly,…
Single parenting in modern America
According to the U.S Census, single parent families make up around 32% of the 11 million families that have children under the age of 18, with single mothers being the primary parent in 8.5 million of these families. With this significant number we thought it would be interesting to talk…
Three generations of Northern Essex Students share their experience at the community college
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…
Students share how pandemic has affected mental health
According to a Nov. 11 Boston Globe article, since the pandemic young adults have been experiencing higher rates of depression and other mental health concerns as the COVID-19 pandemic rages forward in the U.S. Some Northern Essex Community College students say they have experienced issues with their mental health as…
Social media leads to an acceptance dilemma
Social media has become an enormously powerful tool that society has used for many different purposes. From Facebook to Instagram to many others we now have more ways to connect with people and to share information than ever before. However, with great technological advances there comes a problem that needs…
Social media in the time of COVID-19: How the pandmic has changed the way we use social media in 2020
Social media has been part of our daily lives since the early 2000s. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many of us use it. Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui, 18, of West Newbury, is in the NECC Exploratory program. He uses Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Prior to the current pandemic he used social…
Pandemic impacting mental and physical health
It is no surprise that many people find the COVID-19 pandemic stressful both physically and mentally. The actions that we take to protect ourselves and others from the COVID virus, such as social distancing and stay-at-home orders can make you feel isolated, anxious, and scared. Ian Shea, a student at…
Social-distancing and lockdown affecting students’ sleep habits
Online students get more screen time and have a more flexible schedule, but this may be affecting the sleeping habits of students. An Italian study published May 15 in the Journal of Sleep Research found that, "...during home confinement, sleep timing markedly changed, with people going to bed and waking…
