June 4, 2026
For Alexandra Schnepf, a psychology major from North Massapequa, NY, her first year at St. John’s University has been defined by growth, independence, and opportunity. The combination of a supportive campus community and access to one of the world’s most dynamic cities quickly made St. John’s feel like the right place for her to begin her college journey.
“The location is perfect for me as the school is located in a vibrant area,” she exclaimed. “I can be in Midtown Manhattan in about an hour to see Broadway shows, get dinner with friends, and go to Red Storm Men’s Basketball games at Madison Square Garden.”
The University’s size also played a significant role in her decision to attend. “St. John’s has smaller classes, and that allows me to get to know my professors well and develop relationships with them,” she said. “All of my professors know my name, which really helps me to feel immersed in my classes.”
Although Alexandra grew up only 25 miles east of the Queens, NY, campus, she spent her first year living in DaSilva Hall in St. John’s Residence Village. “I wanted to gain independence and learn valuable life skills that I will need when I live on my own one day,” she explained. “Living on campus allows me to fully immerse myself in the St. John’s community and take advantage of all the campus has to offer.”
That decision quickly paid off. As Alexandra settled into campus life, she began developing the routines and mindset that helped her thrive both academically and personally. “Getting involved on campus early had a big impact on my first-year experience—it’s something that I cannot stress the importance of enough,” she said. “By joining clubs and organizations, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into communities of students who shared my passions and goals. These groups helped me to make friends and find a sense of belonging early on.”
With such a busy schedule, effective time management quickly became essential. “One of the most helpful habits I have developed is simply using a calendar,” she said. “I enter everything into my Google Calendar: classes, due dates, work, hangouts with friends, and any other event that comes up in my life.”
She also set a personal rule to help maintain balance each day—no schoolwork after 10 p.m. “Sleep is an essential part of staying on track, and this allows me to ensure that I get an adequate amount of sleep and use my time during the day wisely,” she explained.
When she’s not in class, studying, or participating in various organizations, she works part time with Operations and Event Support Services on campus, a role that she feels has had a tremendous impact on her success during her first year. “My managers and administration were extremely supportive, and they were always there to answer any questions I had about achieving success at St. John’s,” she said. “Being part of a team that keeps campus events running smoothly made me feel like I was contributing to something bigger than myself, which helped to make my first year feel even more meaningful.”
Like many students, Alexandra took advantage of St. John’s Global Passport program, which allows first-year students to study abroad at the University’s Rome, Italy, or Paris, France, locations for one week at the completion of a semester.
“I traveled to Rome for eight days over winter break, and my classmates and I saw sites such as the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain; visited the International Women’s House (Casa Internazionale delle Donne); and even attended the Papal Audience,” she said. “This program was extremely inspiring because it was my first time traveling out of the United States.”
Despite the busy schedule and new responsibilities of college life, Alexandra credits much of her success to the strong support system she has at home—her parents. “They text me every day to check in on me and to make sure that I am doing all right,” she said. “When I am having a hard time, I know they will give me advice and help me through the issue.”
With her parents’ support as a foundation, Alexandra said her first year at St. John’s has been about far more than academics. “My first year at St. John’s meant not only growing as a student, but as a person as well. I had to learn how to navigate my new responsibilities, manage my time, and trust myself in ways that I never had to before college.”
She added, “During stressful times, I find motivation by reminding myself of the future I am working toward. “College is a privilege—and it is one that I am not taking for granted. I believe that the work and effort I put in now will pay off later, even when it seems overwhelming right now.”