NECC Observer

Features

Single parenting in modern America

By Jeremy Isabelle, Correspondent

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 with single mothers on their … Continue reading Single parenting in modern America &... Read More

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

By Priscila Genoa, Correspondent

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 … Continue reading Three generations of Northern Essex Stude... Read More

Students share how pandemic has affected mental health

By Nisaly Gonzalez, Correspondent

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 well. Mariam Saldivar is a … Continue reading Students... Read More

Social media leads to an acceptance dilemma

By Robert Smith, Correspondent

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 to be addressed and that … Continue reading Social media leads t... Read More

Social media in the time of COVID-19: How the pandmic has changed the way we use social media in 2020

By Isae Grullon, Features Editor

Social media in the time of COVID-19: How the pandmic has changed the way we use social media in 2020

Photo by Isae Grullon

Ashmad Conde takes a break from work to check out his social media.

    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 media “more sparsely,” he says. … Continue... Read More

Pandemic impacting mental and physical health

By Kate Woods, Correspondent

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 NECC said, “The pandemic has … Continue reading Pandemic impacting men... Read More

Social-distancing and lockdown affecting students’ sleep habits

By Erik Terrio, Correspondent

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 up later, and spending more … Continue reading Social-d... Read More

A Halloween like no other

By Brian Benjamin, Correspondent

Now ten months in, it is no secret that the year 2020 has been anything but traditional for the entire country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. With Massachusetts deemed an initial hotspot for the virus, towns within the state have come well acquainted with the prohibition of large gatherings. As October arrived, people … Continue reading A Halloween like no othe... Read More

How students plan to spend Halloween during COVID-19

By Mirrorajah Metcalfe, Correspondent

As Halloween begins this upcoming holiday season, many celebratory plans have been negatively affected (or even canceled) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dressing-up in costumes for communal “Trick-or-Treating” and attending chilling “Haunted Houses” are only a couple among the countless cancelled festivities of this beloved Holiday, causing a sense of despair among many —especia... Read More

Staving off cabin fever in the time of COVID

By Jeremy Isabelle, Correspondent

In a world on pause, what is one to do? Americans are resorting to an assortment of various activities to stave off cabin fever during the outbreak of COVID-19. Have people been able to stay productive, healthy, and happy during the quarantine? Can people have benefited from the pandemic, whether it be a new skill … Continue reading Staving off cabin fever in the time of... Read More