The Johnnies Blog

Welcome to Johnnie’s Blog—your essential guide for university life. Here, we explore vibrant student experiences, academic and institutional excellence, comprehensive admissions support, and inspiring success spotlights. Whether you’re a prospective student or parent, our curated insights and resources empower you to make informed decisions about a safe, successful, and enriching academic future.
St. Johns Unviersity Students walking on the Queens, New York campus

Top Tips for Staying Healthy and Stress-Free in College

Let’s be real: college life can feel like a constant juggling act. Between late-night study sessions, back-to-back classes, and trying to have a social life, taking care of yourself might not always make it to the top of your to-do list. But here’s the thing—if you’re running on empty, everything else gets harder.

That’s where health and wellness come in. Staying on top of your mental and physical health isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving. At St. John’s University, you’ve got resources like counseling, wellness programs, and health services that are here to back you up. This guide is all about real, practical ways to help you crush your goals without burning out.

Healthy plant-based meal for college students, featuring fresh vegetables, grains, and protein-packed ingredients.

Maintaining a Plant-Based Diet on Campus: Tips from a Registered Dietitian

Plant-based diets are popular on college campuses for their health and environmental benefits. But sticking to a plant-based diet while living on campus can be tricky, with limited kitchen access, storage space, and budget concerns. Here, I’ll share simple, realistic tips for thriving on a plant-based diet while living in a residence room.

St. Johns University Campus Dietician, Simon Gmuca
Simone Gmuca
Student exploring allergen-safe dining options at a campus dining hall

Allergy-Safe College Dining: Life-Changing Tips from a Registered Dietitian

Navigating the dining halls on a college campus can be intimidating for new students, especially those with food allergies. With so many food options available, it can be challenging to know what is “safe” to eat. The number of students with severe food allergies is steadily rising, and many college campuses are doing more than ever to ensure that food-allergic students feel comfortable when choosing meals and snacks.

As the St. John’s campus dietitian, I work closely with food service staff and food-allergic individuals daily to ensure that allergen-friendly options are available and that proper food handling protocols are followed when preparing meals for students with food allergies.

St. Johns University Campus Dietician, Simon Gmuca
Simone Gmuca
First-year college student navigating burnout

Avoid Burnout in Your First Year of College: Proven Tips

Starting college is an exciting, but challenging, time. Between adjusting to a new environment, keeping up with classes, and trying to build a social life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’re a first-year student, you’re not alone—many students face burnout as they juggle these new responsibilities. In this blog, we break down the common signs of burnout and share practical strategies to help you stay balanced and thrive during your first year.

a group of people do yoga on a lawn

10 Mental Health Activities for College Students

Starting college is an exciting and transformative time; it’s crucial to prioritize your mental health to make the most of this opportunity.

As we enter National Suicide Prevention Month, it’s a timely reminder of the importance of mental health, especially for college students who often juggle academic, social, and personal pressures. To help you stay healthy, happy, and productive throughout your college journey, we’ve compiled a list of 10 mental health activities.

St. John's University Student
Madison Coombs
A portable container of healthy snack options for college students

Affordable, Healthy Snacks for College Students

Snacking is an essential part of every busy college student’s life. However, overindulging in processed and high-sugar snacks such as potato chips, candy bars, and cookies can have adverse health effects and impact academic performance. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable healthy snacks accessible on and off campus.

This blog post guides you through healthy snacking, including budgeting, nutrition, and snack ideas.

St. Johns University Campus Dietician, Simon Gmuca
Simone Gmuca
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
St. Johns Unviersity Students walking on the Queens, New York campus

College Winter Wellness: Nine Simple Tips for Staying Healthy

Winter can be challenging for college students, especially when trying to maintain good health. With the cold weather, shorter days, and more time spent indoors, it is common to feel ill or run down. This blog post explores nine winter wellness tips to help you stay healthy and feel your best. Whether it’s getting outside for fresh air, staying active, or eating healthy, they will help you stay on top of your game and achieve your academic goals.

Young female professional
Toni Critelli
Cutout of human head with colored paper surrounding it and the words "Mental Health" within the brain outline

It's OK To Not Be OK: A Johnny's Journey with Mental Health

As a senior graduating in May, I believe that as a country we all need to place a greater emphasis on mental health and recognizing the early signs of a struggle so that the issue can be quickly addressed. College students often have a mindset to just push through and pretend things are okay until we see a change instead of dealing with the problem at its onset. It is okay to not be okay and to admit you are struggling or need help redirecting where you are headed in life.

St. John's University Crest
Deijah Harris