JJC Blog

Temperatures are dropping. Snow has fallen, and the trees across campus are losing leaves. Winter is coming, and Joliet Junior College HVAC professor Juan Aguilar is ready to help you prepare for the Midwestern cold and stay warm indoors.

Tags: Tips & Tricks, JJC Experts

Meditation is often associated with yoga or sitting on the ground with closed eyes, but it’s much more than that. The Joliet Junior College Sustainability Union defines meditation as being mindful of what’s going on in your head and around you.

As we head deeper into the school year and work and stress piles on, it’s important to be mindful and take the time to meditate. Continue reading for tips and tricks from our Sustainability Union to improve your mindfulness this semester.

Tags: Tips & Tricks, Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and finals are just around the corner. So now is the perfect time to place extra focus on your well-being.

Joliet Junior College’s student wellness advocates from the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities have several tips to help you manage your stress, especially as the semester is coming to a close.

Tags: Tips & Tricks, Mental Health

While community colleges already carry fewer costs than four-year colleges and universities, Joliet Junior College is committed to supporting students facing any financial challenge. Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and payment plans are available, but did you know about these other existing and new resources?

Tags: Money Saving Tips, For New Students, Tips & Tricks, About JJC, Student Services, Financial Aid, FAFSA, Scholarships

As people are receiving their COVID vaccinations and restrictions are starting to ease, we’re getting anxious to gather with other people. Whether it’s having a wedding that was postponed or hosting events for your organization, people are ready to get back to some sense of normalcy.  

Tags: Tips & Tricks, Just for Fun, Holidays, Community, Safety Tips, JJC Experts, COVID-19

Businesses of all sizes have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to say the least. The latest Small Business Pulse Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, covering Oct. 4-12, shows those that have experienced a large negative impact from the pandemic at 30.2% nationwide. In Illinois, it’s 32.9%. While the impact is large, there remains resources to tap into for managing, or yes, even starting a new business during this time.

The Small Business Development Center at Joliet Junior College, which relaunched this summer, provides no-cost management assistance and advice to aid emerging and existing small businesses. It is one of 40 such centers in Illinois, with funding from the Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and JJC.

Tags: Careers, Tips & Tricks, About JJC, COVID-19

3D printing is a popular hobby these days, but for someone just starting out it might seem overwhelming. What machine should I buy? What software do I use to create my prints? Luckily there are a lot of resources available for beginners. 

Tags: Tips & Tricks, Just for Fun, About JJC, Community, MakerLab

Chefs in Joliet Junior College’s Culinary Arts Department are so experienced that they could whip up just about anything. From fancy holiday meals to easy drinks you can enjoy poolside, there isn’t a bad thing on the menu. And these days, you owe it to yourself for a fun activity and a little relaxation. Besides, there are plenty of warm days still ahead of us.  

Tags: Tips & Tricks, Just for Fun, Summer, Culinary, Recipes

Joliet Junior College faculty and staff are committed to ensuring students have the right resources to succeed. In the months since JJC switched to online learning and remote services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot has been learned on how to best work and learn from home. We shared many of our professor’s unique remote teaching methods in a previous blog.

Fall classes at JJC begin Aug. 17, with lecture classes online and face-to-face labs if the state remains in Phase 4 of its Restore Illinois plan. Whether you’re already enrolled for the fall semester or still considering your options, know that remote learning will continue to be common for some time. Consider these tips from JJC faculty and students to get the most out of the online learning experience.

Tags: Tips & Tricks, JJC Experts, Online Learning

Sure, the stores are now stocked with a variety of face masks that help protect us amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That doesn’t mean you can’t still create your own, especially if you’re looking to fill any free time this summer with some new projects.

Need a blueprint to follow? Students in JJC’s costume class, under the direction of Fine Arts Professor Julie Giampaolo, not only sewed their own masks from home this spring as part of remote course work, but donated them to community members! Over 500 masks were distributed to eight different medical facilities, as well as to JJC employees and students.

Whether you’re sewing by hand or using a machine, you can create your own mask with some fabric, thread, and by following these steps.

Tags: Tips & Tricks, Just for Fun, JJC Experts, Online Learning