The Johnnies Blog

Welcome to the Johnnies Blog—where your college journey comes into focus. Designed for prospective students and their families, this space brings together authentic student voices, expert perspectives, and practical guidance to help you explore opportunities, navigate decisions, and build a meaningful path forward.
College room decor featuring a shelf with pictures

College Room Decor Tips & Tricks: Insider Advice from Resident Students

Transforming your residence room into a cozy and functional space doesn’t have to be a challenge. In this guide, two St. John’s University resident students share expert tips on making the most of their spaces. From clever storage hacks to unique decor ideas, you’ll find practical suggestions to personalize your space and stay organized—whether you’re a first-year student or a seasoned student.

St. John's University Campus

Top 5 Reasons for Transferring Colleges

Transferring colleges is a big decision. It’s not something to take lightly, as it involves a lot of planning, paperwork, and sometimes a change of scenery. For many students, though, transferring can be a positive and life-changing step, opening the door to new opportunities and a better college experience. Whether you’re debating on transferring colleges due to academic, social, or personal reasons, it’s important to understand the key motivations behind such a decision.

Let’s take a look at the top five reasons why students transfer colleges and how to navigate the process successfully.

Uday Kumar, founder of start-up company KnotHastags and current international graduate student in the M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) degree program at St. John’s University

How Risk Management Fuels This St. John's Grad Student's Entrepreneurial Success

Meet Uday Kumar, founder of start-up company KnotHastags and current international graduate student in the M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) degree program at St. John’s University.

In this Q&A, he discusses how his real-world experience, from launching a start-up to utilizing campus resources, fuels and supports his entrepreneurial ambitions.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
First Generation International College Students

The First-Generation Student Advantage: What Sets You Apart?

What does being the first in your family to attend college mean? For many, it’s about breaking barriers and stepping into new opportunities. First-generation college students, especially those studying outside of their home country, bring unique strengths and perspectives that make their journeys one of a kind.

In this blog, we explore what it means to be a first-generation college student and hear directly from those leading the way, sharing their experiences and the advantages they’ve discovered.

International Student at a St. John's Welcome Reception for First-Year Students

Six Reasons Why International Students Love Studying in the USA

In the 2023–24 academic year, more than one million international students chose the United States of America (USA) as their destination for higher education. What draws them to the USA? Here are six compelling reasons why studying in America could be the transformative experience for which you’ve been searching!

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
Work study student working on a computer

How Work-Study Can Launch Your Career: A Student’s Perspective

Have you ever wondered how to gain valuable work experience, earn money, and build connections—all while keeping up with your studies? Work-study programs provide the ideal way to balance these priorities and make the most of your college experience.

My name is Madison Coombs, and I’m a senior at St. John’s University. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of participating in the University’s work-study program, and it’s been a journey full of growth, challenges, and lessons. In this blog, I share my work-study story—highlighting how it has shaped me as a student and an aspiring public relations (PR) professional.

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs