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Monday, June 20, 2016
Northern Star
815-753-5606 H @NIUNorthernStar H NorthernStar.info/Opinion
Perspective
NIU creating positive atmosphere to reflect on Orlando shooting
Campus Life Building, Room 130 545 Lucinda Ave. DeKalb, Ill., 60115 Web: www.NorthernStar.info Fax: 815-753-0708 Editorial Board Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board; columns reflect the opinion of the author alone. Editor in Chief & Publisher: Chris Loggins Editor@NorthernStar.info 815-753-0105 Managing Editor: Rachel Scaman Editor@NorthernStar.info 815-753-0177 News Editor: Madison Kacer Editor@NorthernStar.info 815-753-9643 Digital Editor: Jessica Plessner Editor@NorthernStar.info 815-753-9644 Perspective Editor: Angela Pagan Editor@NorthernStar.info 815-753-9637 Sports Editor: Scott Nicol Sports@NorthernStar.info 815-753-9637 Scene Editor: Jay Ibarra Editor@NorthernStar.info 815-753-5606 Photo Editor: Nick Bosshart Editor@NorthernStar.info 815-753-1602 Other Assistant Scene Editor: Darius Parker 815-753-5606 Advertising Manager: Derek Noel Ads@NorthernStar.info 815-753-0108 Circulation Manager: Andrew Parnell 815-753-0707 Adviser: Shelley Hendricks 815-753-4239 Business Adviser: Maria Krull 815-753-0707 Departments Newsroom: 815-753-0105 Advertising: 815-753-0107 Classifieds: 815-753-0707 About us The Northern Star is a limited public forum whose content is determined exclusively by its student editors. Information presented in this newspaper and its website is not controlled by NIU administration, faculty or staff. The Northern Star has a circulation of 10,000 Mondays and Thursdays. It publishes online at NorthernStar.info every day. A single copy of the Northern Star is free. Additional copies are 50 cents. Letters to the editor Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for clarity and brevity. The deadline for a letter is 4 p.m. one day before the desired date of publication. Submissions may be held due to space limitations. Letters written by students should include the author’s year and major. Letters should include a phone number where the author can be reached. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters may be submitted to Editor@NorthernStar.info. Advertisement policy The Northern Star does not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, handicapped or veteran status, or sexual orientation. Nor does the Northern Star knowingly print ads that violate any local, state or federal laws. To place an advertisement, contact the Northern Star advertising team at 815753-0108 or ads@NorthernStar.info. To view advertising rates, go to NorthernStar.info/site/advertise/. Hiring Student employees must carry a minimum of six NIU semester hours and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Students of all majors and experience levels are welcome to apply. Apply at www.NorthernStarJobs.info.
Faith Mellenthin | Northern Star
Why should students stay productive during summer vacation? Jay Ibarra Scene Editor
Rachel Scaman Managing Editor
Faith Mellenthin Columnist
In the summer time, you teach yourself new habits—this can be both an opportunity to thrive or to lose drive. By staying productive, this ensures yourself that you will be on the right track to maintaining healthy habits. I recommend consistency because some see summer as a vacation, when really this shouldn’t be the case. There are various opportunities around the area, NIU, that can provoke productivity like getting involved with small community boards, taking a fitness or cooking class and even working a part time job—anything that gauges an active and working mind while on a hypothetical break. Also, could be a time to build your resume, too. Students need to learn these skills now, because when they’re graduated, the adjustment will make it that much harder to be on a routine.
It’s easy to think of summer break as a time to relax and not have any worries or obligations. However, summer is probably the most important time of the year to be productive. Taking summer classes can help a student graduate on time, or even earlier than planned. Summer is a good time to get electives out of the way so you can focus on major classes during the academic year when every resource is available to you. Internships are also available during the summer and should be taken advantage of. Many students don’t have the time for an internship during the school year, and internships are a great resume builder and a way to learn, hands on, about your future career. Take advantage of the summer break, and I don’t just mean getting a tan.
Soaking up the sun is important in-between stressful semesters when accompanied with productive activities. Most of the four years in college is spent worrying about immediate grades; summers are the best opportunity to focus on the long term goals after graduation. Internships are always a fantastic way to get a jump start on post-college experience. But even without an internship, it is important to actively remember what you are majoring in. Reading, researching, and completing projects in your area of study will prove beneficial. While I am personally trying to stay ahead with frequent library trips, I do find myself more focused on saving up money. This is also a productive way to spend summer. Having money saved up after graduation could be a lifesaver for many people, and what better time to do so.