Observer Department: News
Speechapalooza 2022: Planning an in-person event post pandemic
NECC’s eighth annual Speechapalooza event is Thursday, April 21 from 1-2:30 p.m. in Lecture Hall A in the Spurk (C) building. Hosted by NECC Public Relations students, Speechapalooza was created in the hopes of bringing back the sense of community so many of us have lost because of the pandemic. As a…
Fall registration begins soon
As spring begins to settle in and the semester mid-way done, it’s only appropriate to begin planning ahead what step to take for the academic year. Registration for the Summer and Fall semester of 2022 will begin on April 4. While many students might think it could be too soon…
NECC turns to mask optional
Northern Essex President Lane Glenn announced on March 9, that the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges will be transitioning into mask optional environments. As of March 21, both Northern Essex campuses became mask optional. According to the statement on the Northern Essex Coronavirus updates and information page, the COVID Response…
What it means to be an honors student at NECC
The Honors Program at Northern Essex Community College, run by Professor Ginger Hurajt, is a program put in place for NECC’s brightest and most motivated students. Graduating with an Honors degree at NECC means you have taken Honors Seminar and completed two other Honors projects in other classes, alongside the…
How NECC students deal with stress during midterms
No matter what major or class students are taking, here at NECC, it’s that time of the semester again where students are prepping and studying for midterms. While most students would agree that a time like this can be stressful, overbearing, and exhausting, many students have come up with their…
The common trend that binds us together: Fighting mid-semester burnout
As another Spring break passes and these fleeting moments of relaxation come to an end, I have found myself overwhelmed with assignments, a part-time job, and the stress of planning the future of my academic career. In a recent conversation with friends — all of different educational backgrounds and life…
Student Government election met with lackluster particpation
Northern Essex's Student Government Elections came to a close on March 3, with just 44 NECC student votes counted. The special election filled five positions on the board; however, two positions remain vacant. "In the past, I remember seeing low voting numbers, but it was always at least 100 votes.…
How students’ lives have changed without masks
On Wednesday, March 9 the presidents of Massachusetts’ fifteen community colleges released a statement announcing that the college campuses would transition to mask optional environments. NECC announced that as of March 21 its campuses would be mask optional. After almost two years of wearing masks, this transition was a big…
Training for the ‘real world’: Students say they would welcome life skills classes
It’s that time of year again when soon-to-be high school graduates eagerly send in their college applications and wait patiently for their dream schools to send back an acceptance letter. In times like these, parents lay solemn as they realize their kids will be off to school in just a…
Why are high school students choosing dual enrollment at NECC?
High school students in Newburyport, and other local communities, are now taking dual enrollment classes at Northern Essex Community College, however, they all seem to be doing it for different reasons, paving the way for their future. Whether it is to prepare, save money, stand out, or explore interests, becoming…