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.
Out of State College Student Mailing Their Absentee Ballot for the upcoming Presidential Election

Importance of Voting in 2024: Why It Should Top Your College To-Do List

Navigating elections as a young adult can feel overwhelming. From staying informed about candidates and policies to managing election-related stress, it can be a lot to handle.

In this guide, we explore the importance of voting and how your voice can shape the future. We discuss the significant challenges students encounter during the election season and provide practical tips to help you stay informed, calm, and prepared when it’s time to vote.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
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 Alumna Nathalie N. Chara

St. John’s Alumna Reflects on Journey of Self-Discovery in College

Your first year in college can be both exciting and daunting, especially if you are far from home. It is also an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. Picture yourself discovering a new you in a lively city like New York while forming new connections and exploring different possibilities.

This was the experience of Nathalie N. Chara ’13C, ’14G, a St. John’s University double alumna. In this Q&A, Ms. Chara shares how her journey at St. John’s went beyond the classroom, allowing her to find her interests and make lasting connections.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
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
St. John's University Student

My Advice to a College Freshman: Embrace Growth, Keep Moving

Choosing to go to college is a challenging decision, especially if you are like me. During my first few years of high school, I thought I knew what I wanted to pursue, but eventually, I needed clarification about my future aspirations. I did not want to continue my education after high school, but at the same time, I was still determining what I wanted to do.

All I knew was that I needed a new start. In this blog, I share my experiences and insights to help you navigate this exciting, yet challenging, journey.

Kyntel Hines
St. John's University Junior Students

A Junior’s Advice to a College Freshman

Dear future college student, congratulations on making it this far! My name is Madison, and I am a junior majoring in public relations at St. John’s University.
 
It’s normal to feel nervous about starting college, but don’t worry—resources are available to help you succeed. In this blog post, I share valuable pieces of advice that I wish I had received when I was a college freshman.
 

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs