The Johnnies Blog
After You Submit Your College Application: What Comes Next
After hours of research, planning, and gathering materials, you’ve finally submitted your application. Now that you can close that door, you might wonder what comes next.
The time after applying to college can feel oddly quiet, and it is easy to take it for granted. However, this is actually a vital period to complete important tasks that support your college admission journey.
College Rankings: What They Mean for Your Search
College rankings are everywhere, from search results and brochures to social media and everyday conversations. With so many lists out there, it can feel like numbers alone are shaping your future, especially when a school ranks higher on one list and lower on another.
College Application Checklist: Requirements, Tips, and Timeline
Essays, recommendation letters, deadlines, score reports; applying to college is a lot. But with a clear plan, you’ll stay on top of everything and avoid last-minute stress.
This simple college application checklist guides you on what you need, when to do it, and how to succeed.
What it Means to be a Nontraditional Student and How to Succeed
College isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. And today, more students than ever are taking paths that don’t fit the old, traditional mold. You might be returning after time away, balancing a full-time job or family responsibilities, transferring from another school, or finally deciding it’s your moment to pursue the degree you’ve always wanted.
In this blog, we explore what it actually means to be a nontraditional student, the strengths you already bring to the classroom, and the flexible options that can help you earn a degree on a timeline that works for your life.
4 Flexible Ways to Earn a College Degree on Your Schedule
The traditional college model wasn’t designed for the way most students live today. Work schedules, family responsibilities, financial realities, and shifting timelines all influence how—and when—you pursue your degree. For many, the biggest challenge isn’t choosing a major; it’s finding a pathway that actually aligns with the life you’re already managing. That’s why colleges and universities like St. John’s University are reshaping what flexible learning can look like.
In this guide, we break down four realistic pathways that give you more control over how you learn so you can find an option that truly fits.
Core Curriculum, Prereqs, Electives: College Class Terms Explained
Confused by core curriculum or prereqs? Get a clear guide to college course types and learn how St. John’s University supports your academic success.
How to Find a Strong Academic Program That Supports Your Goals
What does it really mean when someone says a university has a strong nursing program or a great business school? How do they know? And more importantly, how can you know?
In this post, we walk through the telling signs of a high-quality academic program and how to do your college research successfully, using St. John’s University as a real-world example.
College Support 101: What is Academic Advising?
Starting college represents a new level of independence. You’ll have the opportunity to shape what you study, explore new interests, and set a direction for your future. But with so many decisions in front of you, it’s natural to wonder if you’re choosing the right path or spending your time in the most meaningful way.
That’s where academic advising plays a transformative role.
How to Balance Academics and a Social Life Without Burning Out
College life looks exciting from the outside: freedom, friends, opportunities, and the chance to finally study what you care about. But behind the highlight reels, most students are quietly juggling an impossible mix of classes, work, social plans, and the pressure to keep up.
Finding balance isn’t just about managing a schedule. It’s about managing yourself. It means recognizing that energy, focus, and mental health all have limits (and learning how to use them wisely). The truth is, balance in college is not a fixed point you reach. It’s a skill you develop, week by week, through awareness, boundaries, and small daily choices that protect your peace and your purpose.
You’re Not Alone: Support for First-Generation Students at St. John’s
Ulises Garcia Jr., Assistant Director of First-Year Mentoring Programs at St. John’s University, offers a message of encouragement and belonging to every first-generation student taking this transformative first step.