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.