Voices Ringing Blog /

School can be quite challenging, but what should you do when you feel like you are riding the struggle bus?  Well, persistence pays off.   Try out these study skills to be more persistent:

Be attentive and ask questions during class

This is especially helpful if you don’t understand something.  There are probably other students who have the same or similar questions.  Your job is to gain understanding; you won’t know if you don’t ask.

Ask if you can come before or after school for extra help

Check your teachers’ syllabi for available times.  Most teachers are in their rooms early and are typically at school until at least 3:15 p.m.  Always ask because sometimes there are meetings that teachers must attend, however, they are happy to schedule something convenient for you both.

Attend a tutoring session

Groups like National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, or National Latin Honor Society offer tutoring sessions each week. Regardless of what organization is hosting tutoring, any student can get help in any subject.  Our student tutors are top-notch, and if they don’t know something, they will work to make sure you get the correct information you need.

Work with a friend who is doing well in the class

Ask a friend about how he/she is meeting success in the class.  Not only will this help you, but it will help your friend.  Explaining something that you have learned to someone else helps to cement that knowledge for yourself.  Additionally, sometimes a student might have a catchy way to remember something that will help you.

Ask members of your Family Room for assistance

Every Tuesday is Academic Day in Family Room.  This time is for checking grades, working on assignments, and asking questions.  Your Captain will likely know exactly who in family room can help you with your questions.

Use Google to find a video that explains a difficult concept

There are many fabulous sites that help reinforce classroom concepts.  Your teacher can probably also direct you to some of these types of resources.

Attempt (and complete) all of your homework/classwork

Finish your assignments even if you don’t think you understand.  Sometimes you will find that you learned more than you thought during class, and when you do the assignment, the learning will show up.  

Study a little bit each night

Studying is a great way to retain knowledge even if you don’t have a written assignment.   Students often think they don’t need to do anything for homework if there is not a specific written assignment given, but the truth is that spending 10-15 minutes each night reviewing vocabulary, re-writing notes, using Quizlet, or having someone at home ask you questions are all great ways to review.  Speak positive words about yourself in your head.  You are capable of learning. You are smart.  Focus on positivity.

Paxton Clark '23, Gonzaga House, with Mrs. Diane (McNelly) Keller '83

Paxton is a hardworking student who works hard in all he does.  Paxton always has a great attitude and engages in class discussions.

-Mrs. Diane (McNelly) Keller '83

What activities do you participate in?

Soccer, Food Bank volunteer

What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?

I love going to Family Room and Football games.

What should school “do” for you?

School should provide a quality education and opportunity for all students while allowing and enabling us to strengthen and grow our faith.

What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?

A difficult obstacle that I had to overcome recently was breaking my wrist.  I had to learn how to adapt to life while only using one hand. Although my wrist will heal, It made me rethink how people with permanent physical disabilities do not have it easy and how our world needs to be more accessible for the disabled.

What’s your biggest dream in life?

My biggest dream in life is to travel the world and find happiness.

How do you like spending your free time?

I enjoy spending my free time playing soccer and hanging out with friends and family.

Sarah Campbell '24, Baltimore House with Mr. Chris Sorrell '83

Sarah Campbell has set the most wonderful example for how a student should be prepared, enthusiastic, and curious as each class begins. Her performance reflects well on her scores in the classroom and makes her an outstanding classmate. I think my seventh period class can rely on Sarah to be a leader in the room for the entire semester. Our class is better because Sarah is in it. Well done Sarah and the Campbell family.

-Mr. Chris Sorrell '83

What activities do you participate in?

Women's Soccer, Mass Choir, Spanish Club, Physical Therapy Club, and Drama club.

What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?

My favorite part of being a student at Carroll is because of the helpful and welcoming environment which pushes you to be the best you can and to your best abilities.

What should school “do” for you?

School should be a place where you learn not only about the required subjects taught there, but it should also be a place of community, fun, laughter, memorable experiences, and people. That is what school is all about.

What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?

Sometimes that when you are going 100 miles an hour, it is okay to slow down and take a look at all you have accomplished instead of thinking about all your mistakes. One mistake will slow you down, but only if you let it.

What’s your biggest dream in life?

I hope to graduate from a college with a degree in veterinary science.

How do you like spending your free time?

I love to spend time with my family and friends. I love to watch sports and love to read.

Tom Middleton ‘05 still knows exactly where he was when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

“I remember being in Mrs. Levy's biology class, and she turned the TV on. There was a general feeling of fear and confusion, then going between classes and seeing people's faces of worry and unease.”

Twenty years after the attacks of September 11, 2021 and his freshman year at Carroll High School, Tom is a part of the humanitarian response to the current refugee crisis set in motion on that day.

Tom had spent the past nine years of his career working as a Budget Analyst in the non-partisan Ohio Legislative Service Commission, researching and preparing reports about the costs of new programs or laws centered on economic development and transportation.  After deciding he was ready for the next step in his career, months of job searching lead him to World Relief, a worldwide Christian humanitarian organization with a network of more than 6,000 churches and 95,000 volunteers that assists the victims of disasters, extreme poverty, violence, and oppression.  In late August 2021, packed his bags and moved 2,000 miles from Columbus to World Relief’s Seattle branch.

World Relief’s new Entrepreneurship Assistance Academy provides financial help and administrative guidance to refugees who run their own businesses to help get the ventures off the ground.  Tom’s background in civil service and economic development are perfect credentials for his role as an Economic Empowerment Specialist for the agency.

Before The Pentagon announced that the United States was removing its military presence from Afghanistan after 20 years of operations on August 28, World Relief Seattle would resettle about 19 refugees each month.  That rate rose to 19 refugees each day, and World Relief is recruiting more volunteers and hiring more staff like Tom to handle the caseload.  Working directly with people whose lives are still being upended by the attacks of 20 years ago and the conflict it started has been an emotional touchstone for Tom.

“It just shows the impact of war can last for generations.  Seeing the human impact decades later is pretty powerful,” Tom said.  “As a world community, we have to work to help people that are in extreme situations.”

Tom’s dedication to serving those around him took root during his time as a student at Carroll.  He was a frequent volunteer with Five Rivers Metroparks and participated in the weeklong Christian Service Workcamp before his senior year.  Tom continued to serve his community with the Columbus Gives Back organization as an adult.

“It’s part of the service commitment that Carroll did a good job [of teaching].  Not just learning about religion in the classroom, but also applying it and being out there in the community with different organizations was important for high school and the years after.”

Visit worldrelief.org to learn more about the organization’s work.

Chase Hunt '24, Charity House with Mrs. Beth Branum

Chase is extremely kind.  He recognizes the needs of others and diligently gives his gifts and talents to fill those needs.  I miss teaching him this year.

-Mrs. Beth Branum

What activities do you participate in?

I'm a member of the basketball team.

What's your favorite part of being a student at Carroll?

The great teachers and great environment. Everyone is very welcoming.

What should school “do” for you?

School should provide a great education that involves me learning great life skills to use in the future.

What’s a lesson you learned when you overcame a difficult obstacle?

Make sure you understand the whole situation before acting.

What’s your biggest dream in life?

I want to give back to my parents.

How do you like spending your free time?

I like to play basketball, go fishing, and play with my dog.