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Dec. 2, 2024

The Weekly Scroll of Things to Know.

 

Huskies Finish Strong.

The end of the semester is a busy time as you prepare for final exams and wrap up projects, papers and presentations. Being prepared, making time for self-care and having some fun can help you stay motivated throughout the remaining days of the semester. Visit our student life website for tips on how to end the semester strong and to learn about campus events to help you destress.

Learn more about finishing the semester strong.
 

Share your personal thanks for the Baustert Family Foundation’s historic gift to NIU!

On Dec. 3 and 5, the NIU Foundation will have tables set up across campus where students, faculty and staff can write a personal note or record a video message to the Baustert Family, thanking them for their historic gift to our campus. Our goal is to fill a book with notes to deliver in time for the winter holidays. All members of the campus community are invited to write a note and get a special treat from the Foundation. Look for us in these locations: 

Tuesday, Dec. 3:
Holmes Student Center: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wirtz Hall: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fanny Ruth Patterson Community Center: 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 5:
Neptune Central: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Founders Memorial Library: Noon to 5 p.m.  

 

Winter Wonderland hosted by the Campus Activities Board

Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 4 in the MLK Commons from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for a magical Winter Wonderland event! Bring your friends for an evening filled with festive activities such as Ice skating, a delicious hot chocolate station where you can customize your drink with various toppings, and cozy campfires for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. Unleash your creativity at our crafts corner, where you can create holiday ornaments and winter-themed art, and capture the magic at our themed photo booths. This enchanting experience promises joy and cherished memories for everyone!

CAB Winter Wonderland event
 

Report your internship experience to Career Services!

Career Services wants to wish you well as you finish the semester strong and get ready for winter break.

Did you know that you can report your internship or full-time job to Career Services? Just fill out a brief form asking for the basics of your internship or post-college employment. If you’re a current student who has an internship lined up for 2025, just complete the form before heading out for winter break. If you are graduating (congratulations!) and have secured a full-time position (more congratulations!), please make sure to report that to us as well. By reporting internships and jobs, you’re helping future Huskies gain insights into how to apply their degrees in the workplace. This information can be an invaluable perspective that helps students develop their personal career vision.

CAB Winter Wonderland event
 

Change your future while keeping more in your pocket.

Applying for scholarships is a great way to help pay for your NIU education. Scholarships do not need to be repaid and are awarded based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement and financial need.

You can now search and apply for most NIU scholarships online in MyScholarships. The deadline for many scholarships is January 31, 2025. 

Upcoming Workshops:
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Scholarship Opportunities for Current Huskies
Wednesday, Jan. 22: Scholarship Opportunities for Current Huskies

Learn more about applying for scholarships.
 

Join us for FAFSA Fridays!

The 2025-26 FAFSA is now open. Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for assistance completing your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. All students eligible for financial aid who plan to enroll next year should complete a new FAFSA or Alternative Application each year, as soon as possible, to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid. 

Bring your own laptop or use one of ours.  We're here to help!

  • Friday, Dec. 6, 2024:  FAFSA Friday
  • Friday, Dec. 13, 2024:  FAFSA Friday
  • Friday, Jan. 10, 2025:  FAFSA Friday
  • Friday, Jan. 17, 2025:  FAFSA Friday

Can't make it on Friday? We're available every weekday (excluding holidays and university closures).  We also offer virtual appointments.  Visit go.niu.edu/SFAS to schedule your appointment now!

Schedule a virtual appointment with Student Financial Advising Services.
 

Fall 2024 graduates: Get red, black and white philanthropy cords by contributing to the NIU Foundation.

Congratulations upcoming graduates on earning your degree and joining our 262,000-plus Northern Illinois University alumni worldwide.

As you embark upon your next chapter, we hope that you will keep NIU as part of your story by supporting our NIU Foundation through your senior class gift so that you may build your Huskie legacy. By making a gift of $10 or more to the Northern Fund, you will receive a red, black and white philanthropy cord to celebrate your outstanding support of NIU. Make Your Gift.

Your senior class gift supports the evolving needs of our NIU campus community and is an investment in an institution where extraordinary work is done every day by students — like you — and faculty who are filled with grit, determination and a desire to improve our world.

Go Huskies!

P.S. Keep your information current to stay connected with NIU and learn about networking opportunities, events, university news and additional resources exclusive to alumni.

 

Graduating in December? Join us for Gradpalooza!

Join us for this celebratory event at the Holmes Student Center on Wednesday, Dec 11, anytime between 2:30 to 5 p.m. Come participate in fun activities, learn more about our commencement ceremony and connect with other graduating Huskies. 

  • Capture memorable moments with our photographers ready to snap photos. Feel free to bring or wear your cap and gown!
  • Decorate your grad cap.
  • Check out the NIU Alumni Association for graduate cords and Class of 2024 shirts or visit the NIU bookstore for grad signs and gear.
  • Share your gratitude with your favorite professor or NIU staff member and write a note of encouragement for incoming students at our notes table.
  • Enjoy cake and snacks as we celebrate you!
  • Stop by our know-before-you-go information table for any questions about our commencement ceremony, logistics, etc.
Learn more about Gradpalooza.
 
Class Registration opens Nov. 4, 2024.

Class registration is now underway. 

Now is the time to start preparing to register for spring 2025 classes. Read the tips below and learn when to register and how to register for classes. 

1. If you have not met with your advisor, do so. They are here to help you.

  • It’s important to stay on track to graduation and your advisor is here to help ensure you are heading in the right direction. 
  • Remote advising is available. Options for remote advising could include virtual video conferences, phone calls, NIU emails or IM chats. Schedule an advising appointment through Navigate Student by clicking Appointments and selecting the "Advising" service, or contact your academic advising office to learn more about your options. 
  • Come prepared to your meeting with any concerns that you have. Your advisor can help answer your questions and point you to available resources. 

2. Log in to MyNIU and Navigate Student.

  • In MyNIU, you can check your enrollment date—the date and time you are able to register for classes. 
  • In Navigate Student, you can see a list of important, time-sensitive To-Do items related to class registration. You can also schedule an appointment with your academic advisor through Navigate Student by click on Appointments and selecting the "Advising" service. 
  • In both MyNIU and Navigate Student, you can see any holds on your account that may prevent you from registering for classes. Learn more about holds on student accounts. 
 

Add UNIV 301 to your courses for the spring semester.

Registration for spring 2025 classes opened Monday, Nov. 4. We would love to have you join us for UNIV 301: Braven Leadership Career Accelerator.

UNIV 301 will help you learn important career skills, create career readiness materials and get you plugged in with career professionals so you can get a great job and succeed in the workforce when you graduate. Plus, industry leaders will mentor you along the way.

Jump-start your future with NIU’s career accelerator course.

“The experiences through Braven have been great. The United event at Willis Tower was incredible — just being in a professional environment and being able to talk to professionals in the field I want to go into. Learning networking skills was huge as well. I love this course.” - Haley Heckermann, management major and current UNIV 301/Braven student.

“One of the best things about Braven is the leadership coaches. We have a person who works at Microsoft and another person who works at a big company. Having regular one-on-one meetings and being able to bounce ideas off them is something I'm definitely taking advantage of.” - Kevin Dela Paz, computer science major and current UNIV 301/Braven student.

Upcoming Information Sessions:
Monday, December 2 (campus) 3 -3:30 p.m. CT, Peters Campus Life Building room 235

 

Upcoming Events

Visit the NIU Calendar to view all upcoming events.

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  • Monday, Dec. 2: UNIV 301: Braven Career Accelerator Course Info Session
  • Monday, Dec. 2: Crafting Connections
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: Throwback Tuesday at the Huskie Den
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: Ellington's: Shrimp Empanadas, Cheese Empanadas, Arroz con Mantequilla y Vegetales, Equite, Ceviche and Flan
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: Braven End-of-Semester Wellness Event
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: Procrastination Café
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: Men's Basketball vs Benedictine - Youth and Club Sports Night
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: Huskie Den Trivia Night
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: NIU Percussion Ensemble Winter Concert
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4: A Very Merry Food Truck Wednesday
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4: CAB Winter Wonderland
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4: STEM Café: The Fast-Moving World of Electric Vehicles
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4: Cozy Gaming Night
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4: Scholarship Opportunities for Current Huskies
  • Thursday, Dec. 5: Half Price Thursday at the Huskie Den
  • Friday, Dec. 6: Red and Black Fridays
  • Friday, Dec. 6: FAFSA Fridays!
  • Friday, Dec. 6: QueersGiving
  • Friday, Dec. 6: Friday Glow Bowl at the Huskie Den
  • Saturday, Dec. 7: Celebration Chorale Christmas Cantata
  • Sunday, Dec. 8: 26th Annual NIU Choir and Brass Holiday Concert
  • Week of Monday, Dec. 9: Final Examinations (Fall 2024)
Huskie Athletics' events
Concerts, exhibits and performances
Equity and inclusion events
Career Services events
 

Tips from Fellow Huskies

Lizzy Small

"My favorite spot on campus is Founders Memorial Library. My friends and I go there daily to study and get homework done after and between classes. I also enjoy grabbing a coffee and a sweet treat from Einstein Bros. Bagels in the lower level of the library to motivate me throughout my studies. My best friend and I have a Monday tradition to get Einstein’s and study in the library after classes. I am drawn to this spot on campus because of the studious environment."

Jessica Olson
Managament major

Rose Henton

"College is a great experience. You may never interact with people from other countries or backgrounds in the way you will in college. Take the time to learn who you are and examine the world you came from and where you want to be. This is a wonderful time to explore."

Rose Henton
Director of Coordinated Education, Training and Outreach Programs

 

Deadlines

  • Friday, Dec. 6: Deadline to Apply for Peoples Organizing Weekend Empowerment Retreat (POWER)
 

Weekly Wellness Tip

Sleep

Thinking of pulling an all-nighter? Why you should sleep instead

Do you regularly pull all-nighters to finish assignments or study for exams? It’s a common student habit, but it comes with a major downside: Short, irregular sleep patterns mean you’re likely to lack deep sleep, a critical component for learning.

Learn more.
 

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Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.