News

A Breakdown of Student Publications on Campus

By: SSG Emily Niedermeyer

The School of Journalism in the College of Arts, Media and Design at Northeastern has a number of graduate and undergraduate journalism students. The school also hosts a number of student publication writers and leaders. Publications created by our student body range from science magazines to campus news to digital podcasts. It can be a lot to take in, so here is a breakdown of student publications on campus that you can read and write for!

1. NUPR

The Northeastern University Political Review was founded in 2010 as a platform for students to write and publish essays and articles on contemporary domestic and international politics. The site also features reviews of political media and events. The Political Review seeks to foster intelligent political discourse among students and promote awareness of political issues in the campus community. Through this, it aims to reflect the diversity of thought and spirit at Northeastern through their published pieces.

If you are a political science, international affairs, or PPE major or are just interested in the political state of our world, the Political Review may be the perfect place to write op-eds, commentate on current events or explain difficult governmental ideas.

To get involved, email nupoliticalreview@gmail.com. Visit their submissions page to submit an article to the review!

2. The Scope

The Scope is an experiential digital magazine focused on telling stories of justice, hope and resilience in Greater Boston. Staff includes graduate and undergraduate students along with a full-time professional editor and faculty advisor.

The Scope is interesting in that it embraces a variety of techniques including solutions journalism, an approach to reporting that focuses on response to social issues as well as the problems themselves; and “less-extractive” reporting with the goal of redefining the relationship between journalists and the communities they cover. The Scope also experiments with innovative technologies and storytelling techniques on occasion. More recent ventures include weekly Boston City Council briefings and The Scope podcast, which you can listen to on multiple platforms.

If working with professional staff and focusing on social justice stories in the area is your area of interest, The Scope may be the perfect publication for you.

Send them an email at thescopenu@gmail.com!

3. Woof Magazine

Woof Magazine is Northeastern’s leading lifestyle magazine founded in 2012. The magazine creates quality content for Northeastern students, bringing culture and lifestyle to campus in a relevant way. Sections range from Front, Media & Culture and Focus, covering student life, pop culture, politics, events in Boston and more.

Woof also caters to designers, as the club has creative directors who manage social and spread graphics for each article published on a monthly basis. There is something for everyone, whether you prefer writing or graphic design!

Stay connected by emailing nuwoof@gmail.com.

4. Her Campus Northeastern

Her Campus is an online magazine targeted at the female college student demographic. In fact, it is the leading media platform dedicated to empowering college women around the globe. Whether you want to write or read about trendy ways to decorate your dorm room, the best memoirs to read, political commentary or personal essays, Her Campus has you covered. The different sections include culture, style, wellness, life and career.

Her Campus is entirely created by college students for college students. What is cool is that Her Campus has a chapter network of more than 380 colleges and universities across the world. So Northeastern’s chapter is “Her Campus at Northeastern.” Members can write specifically about Northeastern or expand the focus to span more perspectives.

Join by attending their weekly in person club meetings or reach out on social media @hercampusnu for more information!

5. The Avenue

The Avenue Magazine is Northeastern University’s first and only fashion and culture magazine. Writers have the opportunity to share their views and express their creativity on an inclusive platform.

Starting with their website, it’s absolutely stunning. Every single aspect of The Avenue is student created, from photography to design to illustration. Magazines are published periodically and are accompanied by striking visuals and style related articles. On their website you can also view multimedia features like film and previous issue flip throughs.

Shoot them an email at nuavenuemag@gmail.com!

6. Spoon University

Spoon University is a publication for foodies. It is a food site with the goal of helping you eat intelligently and be a culinary resource. Articles cover everything from dining hall reviews to new menu items to restaurants near campus. It is similar to Her Campus in that it is powered by student contributors across the country with thousands of students at hundreds of campuses.

If you love exploring local restaurants and new food trends in the city, Spoon University is the perfect publication to read and write for.

Sign up here! https://hercampusmedia.typeform.com/to/iVnphs?utm=&typeform-source=spoon-university.typeform.com

7. Tastemakers

Tastemakers Magazine is a one stop shop for music lovers. Founded in 2006, the publication aims to give Northeastern students a voice in the music industry and help members develop their craft. The magazine publishes four issues a year, providing plenty of opportunities to get published in print! There are also opportunities to take photos and contribute to other multimedia ways.

Tastemakers also produces semi-annual Tastemakers Presents concert series and collaborates with a number of other clubs like Northeastern’s Live Music Association. Music lovers unite!

You can reach them at tastemakersmag@gmail.com!

8. Spectrum Magazine

Spectrum Magazine is Northeastern’s one and only literary arts magazine! Their triannual publications showcase all of the literary genres, including poetry, prose, photography and artwork created by the Northeastern community. As an organization, Spectrum Magazine also focuses a lot on critique provided by general members. In meetings, they review and discuss a number of pieces from the submission pool, evaluating the foundational principles of art, design, writing and technique. It is a truly collaborative experience.

At the end of every season, the club hosts a release party to celebrate the creativity of each issue! The club also has a Creative Committee which produces digital versions of submissions!

Email spectrum.magazine@gmail.com for more info!

9. NU Sci Magazine

NU Sci is Northeastern’s student-run science magazine. The goal of the articles is to inform their audience of the wonders of human discovery and progress in the world around us. The magazine disseminates the latest information about science news across its fields and both locally and internationally.

The club believes that science can not only be a field to discuss but also something to be continually astounded and inspired by – when removed from a bland textbook format. So, if you sometimes get a tad bored reading about biology or chemistry in an academic context – try reading about it for fun from this publication! You might find it interesting when you are not forced to do it for school.

Use the contact form to get involved!

10. ECON Press

EconPress is an editorial journal that exclusively highlights undergraduate economic research. The publication was initiated in 2009 by individuals with a passion for economics. The Journal has continued to publish papers addressing a variety of topics not restricted to either quantitative or qualitative research.

EconPress also has newsletters for those who prefer their information weekly, and they are also experimenting with a podcast format! The Journal is published by students from Northeastern University, but it is not exclusive to them. Undergraduates from MIT, Stanford, Tufts and others in the Greater Boston area have also submitted.

Questions can be sent over to nueconpress@gmail.com.

11. The Huntington News

The Huntington News is the one stop for Northeastern and Boston centered news. It is the quintessential college newspaper and is dedicated to serving the Northeastern community with original, professional reporting and creating an environment in which student journalists can learn from one another. The paper went independent from the University in 2008 and operates as a registered nonprofit. Students still, however, work alongside Northeastern and alumni to maintain a high standard of quality.

Writers can contribute to the campus, city, sports, lifestyle or opinion sections and can also attend weekly Monday night general meetings in the Journalism school! There is always something to write about, and it is so easy to get involved!

Send all emails to managing@huntnewsnu.com!

12. Storybench

From the Media Innovation and Data Communication program at Northeastern’s School of Journalism, Storybench is an all-in-one destination for media professionals interested in using advanced digital tools to tell impactful stories. Per their website, Storybench was founded as a “cookbook for digital storytelling.”

The website features articles breaking down well-known and well-reported multimedia articles. Through tutorials, behind the scenes, roundups and projects sections, the site produces a number of interesting journalism breakdowns.

Get the latest information from their site here!

Where to Study on Campus (When Snell Is Full)

By: SSG Emily Niedermeyer

Snell Library is undeniably the prime study spot on Northeastern’s Boston Campus. I mean, it is a library with no books! The building is quite literally dedicated to providing quality spaces to get work done. In the past year, however, Snell has seen several renovations that will continue for the next couple of years, decreasing capacity and quality of the existing floors.

Beginning in July, construction on the first floor and lower levels of the building began, resulting in a temporary entrance and walkway. Renovations to the fourth floor of Snell were completed in mid-November and the level is now open with reservable study rooms, soundproof pods and “additional study space.” Now the third floor is closed for renovations, which are expected to be completed in summer 2024. The floor is expected to contain study rooms, an enhanced graduate study room, a digital scholarship research hub, extended research space and again, “additional study space.” The second floor is expected to begin renovations in spring 2024.

Snell will have reduced capacity for now, meaning students will have to find other places on and off campus to host their finals studying. Here are some spots I think are up to (or almost up to) par with Snell Library.

1. Curry Student Center

Curry Student Center is the obvious choice to turn to after Snell. It is huge, with two levels of long tables and sofa seats. The first floor is more of a cafeteria space during the day but when the restaurants have closed, the tables make for great study spaces and it is open until midnight most days. The second floor also features long tables but has a bigger variety of two-person seaters, a sofa area and benches. Beware, however, because these areas can get quite crowded and are usually quite loud as the Center is a student hub.

A particularly nice spot is the Curry Starbucks. It is a bit quieter compared to the main dining area and you are just feet away from hot drinks and baked goods to enjoy as you grind out your assignments.

2. West Village G Lobby

The West Village G lobby is a secret hideaway for me and my friends during finals week. It is perfect for people who like smaller and quieter places to study and has both larger tables for groups and individual tables for those who prefer to work alone. It has huge windows for those who like to people watch and still feel like they are getting vitamin D despite being indoors for hours on end. It is also typically easy to snatch a table earlier in the day.

3. ISEC + EXP

I prefer ISEC when I am studying alone. There are small tables for groups, but they are not spacious at all, and the colorful chairs are my preferred option. They usually come paired with a table to put my extra things in and I loved to curl up and work between classes or even for a couple of hours. ISEC was built to be a productive workspace, and I feel like it follows through on its goal.

EXP is very new to Northeastern, with construction having been finished just this semester. While I have not been able to study there yet, it is definitely a place to check out.

4. 300 Massachusetts Ave.

300 Massachusetts Ave., located in historic Horticulture Hall, has both study and meeting spaces and is one of the hidden gems on campus. It is only a couple of minutes’ walk from the edge of campus but it is so worth it for the spacious rooms and quiet atmosphere. The one thing that may deter students is its hours. The building is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and is closed on Sunday. It may not be best for the weekend worker, but it is a great option for weekdays.

5. Coffee Shops

Coffee shops are the obvious choice when you do not want to be on campus. They provide quaint atmospheres with hot drinks and baked goods. The downside is that often, coffee shops in Boston do not have much seating, which means you must arrive early. They may also get quite loud, which may be your cup of tea but sometimes can be distracting.

6. Empty Classrooms

Empty classrooms are the golden ticket to studying with a group of people on campus. They are usually only available in the afternoons or during finals week when there are no longer any classes scheduled. If one of your friends is an early riser, have them go at the beginning of the day to set up camp in an empty classroom in one of the many buildings on campus. The rest of the group can then use the room as they please throughout the day, fostering a space for collaboration (if needed), and conversation and socialization if needed throughout long hours of studying.

**While Snell undergoes construction, Northeastern also has a site where you can search and book open spaces on campus.

Moving from OAK -> BOS 

By: SSG Kyla Ye

As a second-year student who spent her first year on Northeastern’s Oakland campus, the transition to the Boston campus has certainly been of note. Keep reading for my NUBound Oakland experience, what the shift to the Boston campus has been like, and tips for those in the same boat as me to make the change smoother! 

When I was first going to the Oakland campus, I had no idea what to expect. Though there was definitely adapting that was needed, I ended up overall being really grateful for my experience there. To start, the campus was beautiful and so full of nature. The library had a glass wall where you could look into the trees and it was so comforting. Classes were a lot smaller than on the Boston campus, so classes were more tight-knit and it was easier to get to know other students and your professors. In turn, office hours were also readily available. Housing was one of my favorite parts about the campus as I had a spacious single with a sink and a balcony. There wasn’t as much variety as the Boston campus in terms of dining, but there was a cozy cafe with delicious drinks to buy with your dining dollars, and the main dining hall had a diverse menu they would often switch up. There were clubs like Wheel Crew for skateboarders and roller-skaters, as well as other clubs related to community service and other interests. The gym had free weekly classes for things like kickboxing and spin. I loved that the school put so much effort into organizing events for the weekends, whether it be free outings to San Francisco or kayaking or free weekend excursions to places like Lake Tahoe for skiing or Yosemite National Park. Lastly, another one of my favorite things about being on the Oakland campus was getting to go out to the city with my friends every weekend. There were so many cool places to eat and spend time at like Japantown, Berkeley, or Union Square.  

For me, moving to the Boston campus was a little overwhelming at first. Whereas in Oakland we would go to the city, here we were already in the city. Though I had always preferred being in more of a city environment, it still took some getting used to after being in Oakland for a year. Classes were big, office hours had queues, dorm rooms were smaller, there were countless clubs, and so much more. Sometimes it felt harder to make friends because you felt like everyone had already formed their friend groups, and switching campuses felt like starting over in a way. And though there are still days when these feelings hit harder, I’d say that I have comfortably settled in now. With that being said, there are a few things I would recommend in terms of switching to the Boston campus! 

1. Take it slow 
   • It’s okay to feel unaccustomed at first! Familiarize yourself with the environment and lean on your comfort people like your friends from your previous campus so you aren’t too overwhelmed. Make your space more comfortable for you by decorating your dorm etc.! 
2. Get to know people 
   • Though it may feel unnerving trying to make friends after moving campuses, do your best to put yourself out there and become part of the local community! One of the best ways to do this is by joining clubs where you will already share an interest with other members. Northeastern has so many clubs to offer from skiing clubs to robotics clubs to cultural clubs and more. 
3. Explore 
   • When you’re feeling more settled in, go out and explore! Make a list of places and restaurants you’d like to visit. Some recommendations are Chinatown, Prudential Center, Fenway, and Newbury Street! 

Good luck and have fun!! 🙂 

First Day of Classes: How to Feel Prepared

By: SSG Tyler O’Connor

We all know that first day feeling: the butterflies, the jitters, the sweat, and sometimes tears that come with the first day of school, camp, job, etc. It’s a universal experience that is fueled by excitement but also, sometimes worry. So whether it’s your first year of college, or your first semester on the Boston Campus, here’s a few tips and tricks to prepare you for classes and hopefully ease some of the first day anxiety.

1.) Check your classes’ Canvas pages.

Combing through each of your classes’ Canvas pages allows you to identify any pre-class assignments, readings, and most importantly, the syllabus!

2.) Read the syllabus

Thoroughly reading the syllabus for a class is a great way to get a feel for the professor’s teaching style, expectations, and grading patterns. Not to mention, most teachers expect you to read the syllabus, so actually doing it will often answer your initial questions.

3.) Downloading Textbooks

Some professors might have a discount code for textbooks, so you can wait to purchase them until after the first class. But, if they’d like you to purchase it beforehand, it will often be explicitly stated in the syllabus.

4.) Materials

Lap top, I Pad, or notebook. It’s up to you! Most teachers accept all forms of notetaking, in which case make sure to stay organized in whichever one you choose. However, there are a few cases where technology is not allowed in the classroom. If this is so, oblige by using a good old fashioned pen and paper!

5.) Early is on-time!

Getting to class early on the first day allows you to pick your seat, introduce yourself to the professor if you’d like, and set yourself up for a semester of punctuality.

6.) Schedule

Write out your schedule with times and locations in your notes app. You can even pre-walk your class route to time just how long it will take you. This is especially helpful if you plan to take any form of transport, like the T (which may be unreliable sometimes), to class.

7.) Confidence

One of the most important elements of preparing for a new semester is to present yourself with confidence. Some classes are hard, but going into it with the right mindset can be a game changer. Don’t be afraid to jump right into discussion, exude humility in the classroom, and strive to deliver your best work.

You got this!

Husky Orientation How To

By: Emily Niedermeyer, SSG

It’s now July and summer orientation is in full swing for Northeastern. The summer before your first year can be an exciting but nervous time; one way to be prepared for moving in and your first day of classes is to complete Husky 101 Orientation and attend Welcome Week. Here is your ‘how to.’

*Please keep in mind that most of this information is applicable to first years on the Boston campus. Dates and programs may vary for other campuses and study abroad programs.

Husky 101 is a mandatory student orientation experience with two parts: an online curriculum and the Boston Campus Experience. You should have already completed the online curriculum by the end of June, as it is required for students and optional for families. This curriculum is intended to serve as an ongoing resource of information, so students and families can access the program during the first-year transition.

The Boston Campus Experience is a 2-day mandatory program and while it is optional, family participation is highly encouraged. The student and family orientations are separate programs but run concurrently with one another. You can register in the Application Status Check where details will be provided for arrival and departure times, accommodation information and other events.

To stay connected, families are encouraged to create an online account where they can review and pay tuition bills, access student accounts, view student transcripts when provided access by the student. The student must first submit a request to initiate the process. The parent or guardian will then receive an account claim via email to complete the setup. Families can also access the Parent/Family Channel for university information and are encouraged to attend Family & Friends Weekend from Friday, October 13 to Sunday, October 15, 2023.

Other action items include:

• Upload Husky Card Photo: Students must submit digital photo files of a government issued photo ID and a photo of themself through Husky Card Preferences on the Student Hub. These two upload requirements have a couple of provisions to meet the acceptable identification and photo rules.
• Review Health Insurance: Massachusetts state law requires that all full-time and part-time students enrolled in an institution of higher learning have either a student health plan or another health benefit plan with comparable coverage. All students are automatically enrolled in the Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP). If your current health insurance meets the MA guidelines, you may waive NUSHP. Find more information about NUSHP and how to waive here. The waiver portal will be open until September 30, 2023. NUSHP Plan Manager: 617.373.8007; nushp@northeastern.edu; northeastern.edu/nushp.
• Fulfill Immunization Requirements: Massachusetts state law also requires that all students provide proof of immunity to certain diseases before arriving at school. These requirements are stated on the University Health and Counseling Services website. Students who do not provide this information will not have access to future class registration, so this report is mandatory. It is due July 31, 2023.
• University Health and Counseling Services: 617.373.2772; uhcs@northeastern.edu; northeastern.edu/uhcs/forms.
• Make Meal Plan Changes: First-year students are required to have a Dining Services meal plan. All students are automatically assigned to a meal plan but have the option to pick a different plan, increasing or decreasing the number of meals and dining dollars. Meal plan changes for the Fall can be made through the Student Hub beginning in early August. In the meantime, visit com to learn more and https://huskycard.sites.northeastern.edu/meal-plans/ for more information on meal plans. You have until the first Friday after the start of the semester at 5:00 PM to remove or reduce meal plans. You can increase it anytime during the semester.

Other important dates:

• From late-May through June, students should have received communications directly from their program to complete online academic advising. This is unique to each college and program, so please contact your college/program for assistance.
• Students will receive housing assignments, roommate information and move-in dates in mid-July. Move-in dates will be assigned by Housing and Residential Life.
• Classes begin on Wednesday, September 6. You can review Northeastern’s academic calendar here.

Students should also, of course, connect with the Student Support Initiative and their trained upper-year peer mentor on Mentor Hub NU available on the App Store and Google Play. Your Student Success Guide can answer any questions you have about orientation and Northeastern!

This information was gathered from the Fall 2023 Orientation website. Read more here.

Important Contacts:

orientation@northeastern.edu

northeastern.edu/orientation