As the semester winds down and class due dates creep closer, I find it important now, more than ever to discover ways to have fun and reduce the stress related to school and work. Some ways I have fun are attending our home football games, where the Huskies are currently undefeated, and by attending organization sponsored events! Going to the home football games is a great way to support NIU and our football team, while hanging out with friends at the same time. Some of my best-kept memories stem from attending home games. The energy is so intense and everyone comes together as one huge Huskie Family! These are the times and memories you don’t want to miss out on! I also enjoy supporting NIU’s organizations by attending the various events hosted by them. This fall I have been able to support the NIU Honor Program by attending their Culver’s fundraiser. Not only did I get to enjoy some soft-served ice cream with new friends, but also I was able to give back to NIU.
When it comes to having fun off-campus, the DeKalb/Sycamore area offers numerous activities! One of my favorite things to do is shop downtown DeKalb in the various boutique shops. Each store is unique and you can always find something original and fun. The movie theater in town is another thing I like to do in my free time. I just recently saw the new film Catching Fire and it was amazing. My friends and I went to the midnight premier and enjoyed staying up all night to watch it.
It’s important to have fun while in college, but it’s equally important to stay safe on and off campus. In my opinion, I think NIU is a very safe campus to be on. Our new Police Chief, Tom Phillips, shared some insight with the NLA’s on his new initiates and tips for staying safe that I keep with me now. One of the most important items he addressed was the use of social media and emergency situations. Sometimes what one says on a social media site can be misinterpreted or come from an unreliable source. He stressed the importance of not always believing what you read on these sites and in the case of a real emergency, a university wide message will be sent out through NIU’s Emergency Notification System. He also stressed the importance of safe walking around on and off campus. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t be the person walking with your smartphone glued in front of your face because this is an easy way to target yourself for theft. Instead, always walk in groups and try to limit your cell phone use while walking around at night. A third initiative he shared with us is his concern with the dim lighting off-campus. He sees a need to brighten the streets and make it a more welcoming and safe environment. I think Police Chief Phillips made some excellent points and I’m happy to share them with you so we all gain knowledge on campus safety!
If you find yourself feeling uneasy at any point or time, the following numbers are good resources for both on and off campus use:
Emergency: Dial 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: (815) 753-1212
Late Night Ride Service: (815) 753-2222
Huskie Patrol (Walk Safe): (815) 753-9658
For other safety tips and information, go to http://www.niu.edu/campuslife/safety/
Northern Lights Ambassador- Mandy's Blog 