Advising
Carthage students offer the following advice.
- Attend classes regularly. One of the most common refrains heard from students in academic trouble is they attended classes sporadically or not at all.
- Get assignments in on time.
Getting behind in one's work means having to play catch-up, and that
can have disastrous results, particularly for students with lots of
extracurricular commitments. If, due to exceptional circumstances,
students are unable to complete an assignment on time, they should
speak with their instructor immediately.
- Manage time effectively.
As busy people with time-consuming commitments, students should set
aside blocks of time for their studies. It also helps to find a
suitable, quiet place to study -- in the library, an unused classroom,
a quiet corner of their residence hall, etc. Students are encouraged
not to squeeze studying in between other activities.
- Seek help as early as possible if academic problems occur.
Many of the students who get into academic difficulties avoid taking
them on until it's too late. It's not smart to wait until the end of
the term, when things are desperate, to look for help. Students should
get in touch with their instructors and/or advisor early in the
semester and make use of Academic Support Services to talk about their
difficulties.
- Get tutoring when having trouble in a single course.
The tutoring program is free to Carthage students. Tutors are peers who
are trained and referred by academic departments. Tutors offer
individual or group assistance five nights per week in The Writing
Center, located in the lower level of South Hall.
- Remember that the amount and the type of work expected at Carthage are different from high school.
What worked in high school as an approach to studying may not work at
Carthage. An advisor can help to identify where strengths lie but also
where adjustments should be made.
Students
have more control over their academic success than they may think. By
keeping in mind their educational commitments, by attending class
regularly, by completing assignments on time, and by seeking help in a
timely fashion when needed, they will be successful Carthage.