Grace Medici

“I chose Carthage because I loved how I felt after my tour. I wasn’t feeling nervous like previous tours, but excited and hopeful. It’s also the perfect distance from my home. I was forced to find my people and create a life for myself.”

“Before committing to Carthage, I interviewed with Professor Van Winkle for an art scholarship, and she gave me a personal tour of the H.F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts, which really made me feel welcome. Every faculty member I’ve crossed paths with has brought a new level of genuine care to my education. Because I was comfortable enough to create relationships with my professors, I’ve been able to ask the more nerve-wracking questions and fully understand that these people believe in me and what I can achieve. The Psychology Department has modeled what I can only hope my future workplace fun will look like. They are warm, kind, funny, and supportive. All you have to do is ask for help, and plenty of people want to help.”

“My favorite class so far has been my self-created independent study in photography. My best friend/roommate and I were accepted into the January 2024 Sports Journalism J-Term study tour. Instead of doing journalistic work for soccer, I was doing lifestyle travel photography. Throughout the trip, I showcased my photos on my Instagram travel blog! It was an amazing experience to creatively explore my skills and learn how to travel as an adult in Rome, London, and Munich!”

“My toughest classes would definitely be my Research Method and Statistics classes for my psychology major. There’s just so much to learn in those courses, and it’s extra tough because what we learn is used in our more advanced psychology classes. You can’t just learn the material; you have to be confident that you understand it. Additionally, Landscape Photography was one of the hardest art classes I’ve taken because I had to challenge myself to take photos in a style that I didn’t prefer, but I eventually caught on and enjoyed the class for the lesson I was getting from it.”

“I am currently the vice president and the senior new member educator of Pi Theta Sorority. As vice president, I run the committees, executive board positions, and multiple miscellaneous tasks within the sorority. As senior new member educator, I teach the new member class the ins and outs of the sorority while incorporating them with the active members and teaching the junior position how to lead next semester!”

“I’ve had the opportunity to go on a trip to Stratford, Canada, for the Shakespeare festival, and I’m forever grateful that I went! I’ve also been fortunate enough to be a selected artist in the Annual Juried Student Art Show and the Student Photography Exhibition in the chapel. As the Photography, Film, and New Media Department fellow for 2023-24, I also helped create the theme for the spring 2024 show!”

“My favorite memory was seeing the Aurora Borealis in spring 2024. It was such a surreal feeling, standing on the beach at Carthage with my boyfriend and staring at the sky together. It was unbelievable how beautiful it was, and I definitely felt all joyous and hopeful for life afterward, as this was one of the biggest things on my bucket list!”

“Just do it! Just open your book or computer and start. If you don’t feel you are learning effectively, there’s no shame in testing out some new techniques you found on Google to help you study!”

“It sounds cliche to say ‘just be yourself,’ but if you don’t, you can’t have healthy friendships. Get to know the people on your floor — I know every girl on my floor and can go to each of them for something. In a new environment away from home, building community is so important. I also made a ton of friends by deciding to sign up for sorority recruitment. I am best friends with my sisters and the amazing women I’ve met in the other organizations!”

“The biggest surprise about college so far has been my ability to give time to my hobbies, passions, and most importantly — my free time! I’m pretty booked and busy, but still find time to relearn how to crochet, read books, and get plenty of naps in!”