Carthage College Top Questions

if i could go back to when i was in highschool, i would tell myself not to stress so much about the life changes in college. i'd tell myself not to worry about not knowing anyone at carthage. it is nice to know that you can start over in a new place where no one knows who you are and doesn't have a stereotype of your personality. you can start over and be my real self and if people want to be friends with the real me, then ok. but i'm not going to change who i am just to make friends. i may not have a ton of friends here, but the friends i do have are some of the best i've ever had. i would also tell myself that i should stay on campus over the weekend and try to be social. when i was a senior, i wasn't sure if i wanted to join the swim team. i would tell myself that join the swim team is stressful and take alot of time, but is very rewarding and is the way i found most of my very good friends.

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have a large amount of advice for my high school senior self. Coming here to Carthage College, I had a very open mind and was determined to work hard and succeed, which has led me on a great path to academic success. After three semesters in college, my GPA is higher than I ever could have imagined in highschool. Just to be on the safe side, I would tell myself that hard work, commitment, and determination really does pay off. Carthage is the right choice for me, and everyone here is willing to help me succeed. There is one particular thing I really wish I could tell my high school senior self. An A- doesn't count as a 4.0, so you need to study just a little harder, but you can do it!

The Past Emerson, There are many things that you should consider about college. One thing that is really imperative is that you learn time management. All throughout high school, you have kept a 3.0 GPA on top of participating in after school programs. When you get to college, the work will be harder, and will require a lot more time to study. Do not procrastinate, but get the work done. This skill will not only help you as a student, but in your professional life too. At work, you want to make sure that your work level doesn't increase because of poor effort. Rather, you want the work to be completed on time, and accurately. Also, keep your focus on education. There will times when you want to go out with your friends. However, turn them down because the first reason you are there is to receive an education. The social life will come natural. But don't let it consume you. All the best, The Present Emerson

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, the biggest thing that I would tell myself would be to reach beyond my comfort zone, but to have patience with myself. My first semester as a freshman here was a very tough one. I came to school far from home and had no friends with me. I had to reach out to people in order to make friends. I had to put myself out there and take the risk of being rejected, but in the end, I made some friends that will last a lifetime. Also, just have patience. I expected to come to school and to fit right in and to love all of my classes and everything, but I quickly found that to be completely contrary to what I was experiencing. You just have to allow yourself to explore all areas of study (even those not in your intended major), to rediscover who you are (because now you are growing and changing and have the opportunity to be anyone that you want), to let the transitions come naturally, and to have patience with yourself and your situation in the process.

I know that you will make a great decision regarding your college choice. Pick a small school because you will not feel lost or overwhelmed. Enjoy the time that you spend at college; join clubs, focus on your school work, and take time to relax. Do not let people try to change the person that you are. Always be yourself when trying to make new friends at college, if you have to change yourself to fit into that group then they are not worthy of being friends with. College will be a great time in your life. You will become even more mature and begin to appreciate the amazing woman that you have become. You are going to make the right choice. Never look back, never have regrets. Every choice is a learning experience; embrace it.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that I am making a great choice. Carthage is my home away from home. Carthage gives its students the opportunity to get involved with campus organizations and the surrounding community. It provides transportation to downtown Kenosha and a short distance away from the train/bus station to visit either Milwaukee or Chicago, which are both equal short distances away from Kenosha. For students and making friends, Carthage has a great Orientation program that the Freshmen class and all new Transfers attend when they first arrive to Carthage. Many friendships are made through the Orientation program. Also, the professors are chosen on their experience in their fields. They bring Carthage a lot of experience and share those experiences with students. The professors and staff give out their home/cell phone numbers to students as a way for communication. The Carthage community is a great place for those that want a great education but do not like the "large campus" feel like many public universities can be.

Don't be afraid. Go to school without reservation. Enjoy the time you are given as a student, embracing every avenue possible. If you want to be in a club, student organization, or a theater production, but are worried about time, money, or something else, give it a shot. Things always seem to work out the way they are supposed to in the end. Every opportunity you give up is a chance lost at making friends, forging connections, and growing as a person. Take every opportunity to learn that you possibly can. Take your studies seriously, but beyond that, don't be afraid to enjoy yourself, seizing opportunities to grow and learn outside of the classroom. Overall, your education will be enhanced if you are involved in other things besides academics. Keep your ultimate goal in mind. Doing this will help you make decisions that are best suited for your future. Don't be afraid to be happy. You have worked hard and done your best this far, so you know you can do it. Enjoy the four years you have been given.

When picking a college make sure you know pick one for academic reasons, not social, but make sure that you are still completely satisfied socially. Make sure you get involved right away because it is easier making friends. It does help to know at least one person at the school in order to adjust. In order to help a rooming situation, it might be better to go random right off the bat and if you are not quite sure about rooming with someone don't. Don't be afraid to ask your professors for help, go to a tutor session or a study group. You can have a social life, but make sure you still have self-discipline in order to get your work done. With financial aid, look for online scholarships so you don't have to pay more when you are done with school. The academic and health resources on campus are there for you to use, so don't hesitate. Most importantly make sure you pick a school for you not for someone else because you are the one going there.

If given the opportunity to speak with myself as a high school senior, I would have reinforced the importance of keeping my door open throughout the school year. As a freshman in high school, I was extremely reserved and quiet. I talked with a few girls on my floor but focused more on my high school friends. By the time I realized my friends from home were moving on, it was too late to find my way into a new group of friends. I ended up picking up a few friends here and there, not they did not have problems leaving me for other people they blended with better. I have a decent set of friends now, but it does not change the feeling of loneliness I experienced in the beginning of my freshman year.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school with what I know now I would tell myself to not stress so much on the little things with school and to work hard for what I want in me future. I am currently a junior at Carthage College and as a senior in high school I would have wanted to know that college is not a total change from high school the only difference is being away from home. I tend to stress too much on things with school and sports the past two years I developed shingles and hiatal hernia because of stress. If I knew in high school that stressing about small things would only hurt myself. I do not need to stress about little thins and I should only focus on what I want to accomplish in life and for my future in physical therapy school. As a senior in high school I would learn from myself that there is nothing to be afraid of and college will go fast but be some of the best times of my life.

Dear Elizabeth, "I never said I was smart. I said I went to class and I enjoyed what I did." Ironically, Willie Mays is a smart man, so heed his advice. Let your love for learning overshadow your drive to be "the best," because your personal gains from learning will be with you long after every one has forgotten your class rank. Also, talk to your professors, read books that interest you, and learn about what you love. Don't be afraid to say that Calculus is your favorite subject, or that one day you dream to play French horn in the Chicago Symphony. And even more importantly, do something about it! Introduce yourself to your neighbors in your dorm, smile as you pass fellow students in the hallways, take a chance every now and then, and travel whenever the opportunity presents itself. College is a monumental chapter in your life, so fill every page and leave nothing to be desired. Sincerely, Your future self

Relax, but be outgoing. College is a chance to start completely fresh, and to shape your future. You are responsible for any and all actions that you make from this point on. College is fun and exciting, it is the place that you will meet the best friends that you have ever known, and create lasting memories of experiences that will shape your character. Be open to new things, but keep your head above water and remember the morals that Mom and Dad taught you! Good luck!

I would tell myself to try to balance out the academics and the social activities so I will have an enjoyable experience at school. I would try to remember that it is important to have a good circle of friends at school so I have a strong support system.

There's nothing to really worry about, the people at this college have already proved to be helpful and friendly before you even travel to the campus for move-in day and registration. Keep in mind to be yourself and be open to talking to people you may not know. Procrastination is not the best tool to have. Keep yourself busy, but not too busy as to not be able to finish classwork by the time it's due. Try to eat healthy and work out regularly, make regular goals and strive to meet them. Even though your school load is busy it's also important to keep steady hours at your job to keep up with the bills and tuition dues. Take each day as it comes and don't sweat the small stuff.

I would tell myself to plan my finances more carefully. I would make myself become more involved earlier on and talk more. I would budget my time better and do my homework more often. I would not procrastinate as much. I would go to sleep and wake up earlier. I would take advantage of the gorgeous lake more often. I would explore off campus to see what the town of Kenosha has got to offer.

I would tell myself that the first year is difficult because its new and not to give up. It starts out difficult, but once you make more friends classes become less stressful and when there are people to hang out with you enjoy school a lot more. I would also get into a set of different study habits because the curriculum is presented differently depending on the teacher, some lecture, or use powerpoints, some prefer to be hands on, etc...

Be yourself

If I could go back into time and give myself advice about college life, I would definitely tell myself to be prepared for the amount of homework. I know that a person learns from their experiences and mistakes, so I would probably not tell myself everything about my classes that I would be taking, or which ones not to take. I would tell my high school senior self to be ready for a whole new prespective and way of living life and going to school. If anything, I would tell myself to skip going to tours for the other schools that I was accepted to and to just choose Carthage right off the bat.

Don't be afraid to go out on your own and meet new people and do new things. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there as who you want to be. Don't worry so much about what people think of you, because if they don't seem to "approve" of you, they're not worth your time. Buckle down and study for exams, and actively participate in class. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you're confused or seek help from a professor outside of class if something still isn't clear. All of the professors here just want the best for you, and if you're having a hard time with something, and you go talk to them about it, most times they are very willing to help you out or work out a special arrangement, but they do need to hear from you what's going on. Make sure you don't skip class, because even though some of the professors don't take attendence, the information you miss by skipping is extremely difficult to make up. Just keep your chin up, do what you need to do, be involved, and have fun!

Amber, try to get more money. Carthage doesn't offer enough money.