What does it mean to be happy? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines happiness as well-being and contentment. Some Johnnies define happiness as the Henley-bound shuttle bus arriving on time or Angela coming back from her lunch break to make omelettes, while others view it as watching the tree lighting ceremony at the University’s annual winter carnival. Whether you live for a free water bottle during common hour or a random ice cream truck near Carnesecca Arena, according to a recent study, it seems that overall, many St. John’s students aren’t happy.

A recent study by the Princeton Review analyzed how strongly students disagree with the statement, “I am happy at my school.” St. John’s is ranked #9 “least happy” on the list, preceding the United States Merchant Marine Academy and succeeding the United States Coast Guard Academy. When you think about it, it speaks volumes that our University was placed in between two of the five United States service academies, one which trains officers for branches of the military and the other which provides education to future Coast Guard officers. This survey question is essentially looking to find the school where students don’t feel fulfilled.

Last year, the school ranked #17 for “least happy” students, and the year before, it ranked #11.

In response to the ranking, Jen Tucholski, a University Spokesperson said, “The Princeton Review surveyed approximately 500 of our 11,000-plus undergraduate students in 2015. The group of students polled represented only four percent of the student population—rendering the survey statistically insignificant. With a sampling that does not meet statistical significance, it is impossible to capture accurate data. A single question posed in a statistically insignificant survey cannot measure quality of life, least of all, something as subjective and broad in scope as happiness.”

The Torch spoke to a few students during common hour on Monday to determine whether or not they would consider themselves happy, and why they think so many Johnnies feel negatively about their St. John’s experience. Click the slideshow to see what they said.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Torch Photos/Alex Yem

Andrea Hincapie Bendeck, Freshman, Bogota, Colombia, 17, Bio Medical Sciences, “As a freshman, St. John’s is living up to my expectations. The food could be worse, my dorm doesn’t have any roaches, there are a lot of events on campus with free things. There are a lot of things to do here.”