Observer Department: Features
Adjunct Professors Receive Little Benefits
In Massachusetts, the number of full time employees is 1,400 statewide. Part-timers? 5,200 statewide. Adjunct professors teach about two-thirds of the classes taught at the state’s 15 community colleges. They are part-time employees, paid per class. They receive none of the same benefits as full-time employees, such as healthcare and…
Seasonal Depression
With half of the fall semester gone and winter fast approaching, NECC students may find the “winter blues” hard to avoid. According to the American Psychological Association, Seasonal Affective Disorder is estimated to affect ten million Americans and is more common in women. SAD usually starts to set in around…
Smarthinking: Online Tutoring Services
Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service available to any student registered at NECC. This service is not staffed by NECC tutors, but is actually a separate business which was purchased by the Tutoring Center. There are over 2,500 certified expert tutors worldwide. The service has been available at NECC…
Transfer Day: PACE Students
Every year, NECC hosts a Transfer Day for students to meet with representatives from different colleges and this year, 58 colleges were represented. Rossalie Catalano, the Transfer & Academic Advisor, said that she was very pleased with the turnout this year. At the Haverhill campus, attendance to the transfer day…
Student Loan Debt Burdens Learners
Financial experts urge NECC students to start reducing their loan debt while still attending school. According to U.S. News, the average college student graduates with around $30,000 in student loans. Students who have entered into an unsubsidized loan may not be aware that they can start making payments on the…
Benefits of the Tutoring Center
Lynne Nadeau, the Director of Tutoring Services at NECC, says the Tutoring Center is a great place to come if you’re having trouble with your classes. “The center is a great resource for students who may need extra help in many different subjects such as math, science, writing, reading, business,…
NECC Haverhill Transfer Day
Northern Essex hosted its annual transfer fair on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Rosalie Catalano, transfer and academic advisor at NECC, says that the event was held in hopes of drawing in a crowd of at least 100 students for the 58 colleges in attendance. This year they exceeded 100 attendees and…
Curly Hair is Back
After years of grueling hair-straightening regimens, NECC students are saving precious time by unplugging their flat-irons and embracing their natural curls. “I save at least an hour when I wear my hair curly,” said NECC student Ana Guerra. “I would have to straighten it the night before and then re-straighten…
Student Leader Conference
Student Leaders from across Mass. and N.H. gathered at the Four Point Sheraton in Wakefield on Oct. 15 and 16 for the Community College Student Leaders Association Conference. The theme of the conference was “Recipe for Success,” with Johnny “Cupcakes” Earle as the keynote speaker. Earle is the owner of a popular Johnny…
Community College Life
By Andrea Davis Many students who attend community college feel that their college experience varies greatly from those students who attend a university. It’s no secret that dorm life plays a huge role in a college student’s experience. When someone hears the word “college,” they might think of red Solo cups, bonding with…
