The Johnnies Blog

Welcome to Johnnies Blog—your essential guide to college. From making friends and navigating New York City, to building a career-ready degree, our student stories and expert advice bring the college experience to life. Whether you’re exploring majors, planning to apply, or seeking support for a balanced and purposeful college journey, we’re here to inform, inspire, and connect you every step of the way.
NYC college students exploring the city while utilizing free resources like MetroCards, museum admissions, and public libraries.

Free Resources Every NYC College Student Should Know About

Discover free resources every NYC college student should know about! From free museum admission to complimentary software and fitness facilities, this guide helps students save money while enhancing their academic and social lives in New York City.

Aishwarya Gupta
St. John's College Student Packing for the Dorms

College Room Essentials: A First-Year Packing Guide

Your first year of college is an exciting time to make new friends, create unforgettable memories, and experience newfound independence. If you are going to live on campus, knowing what to bring is essential before you can fully enjoy all the fun! As a rising senior who has experienced residence life over the past few years, I would like to share some of my college residence room essentials to help you better prepare.

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs
St. John's University Queens, New York Residence Hall Dorms

What is Living in a College Residence Room Like?

I’m Madison, a junior at St. John’s University, and I have been living on the Queens, NY, campus since my first year. I have experienced living with roommates, coexisting in small spaces, doing laundry in a residence building, and so much more. In this blog, I share the reality of living in a residence room to prepare you for your college move-in day.

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs
Incoming St. John's Students exploring the dining options

How to Eat Healthy in College: Nutrition Tips and Dining Options

College life brings newfound freedoms, including choosing your meals. With diverse dining options on campuses and all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, maintaining a healthy diet can be challenging.

This blog post covers how to eat healthy in college with nutrition tips, meal-prep ideas, and strategies for navigating campus dining halls.

St. Johns University Campus Dietician, Simon Gmuca
Simone Gmuca
A female student lying on her bed

Handling Homesickness at College: Tips and Strategies

Starting college is exciting, but it's also completely normal to feel homesick as you adjust to your new life on campus. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution or magic remedy to homesickness, there are some practical steps and strategies you can use to improve your outlook and make your college experience more enjoyable.

Student benefitting from peer tutoring in college

Level Up Your College Learning: the Benefits of Peer Tutoring

Are you planning to attend college soon? If so, you don’t have to face it alone! Collaborating with a peer tutor can significantly improve your academic success. In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of peer tutoring, such as better grades, deeper understanding of the subject, improved confidence, and enhanced study skills.

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs
St. John's Student

How a Campus Club Transformed One Student's College Journey

Discover the transformative power of campus involvement on your college journey. In this blog post, we hear from Madison Coombs, who rose from Public Relations Chair to President of Red House—a vibrant student organization celebrating over 16 years at St. John's University.

Group of St. John's University Students Celebrating Friendship

How to Make Friends in College: 5 Practical Tips

Are you feeling anxious about making new friends as you prepare to start your first year of college? Don't worry—we have you covered! Our guide on college socializing can help you master the art of making friends during your first year. These new friends will be an essential part of your college experience, so putting effort into meeting new people is important. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to connect with others on campus; it doesn't have to be daunting.

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs