From in school experiences to real-world scenarios, SGC has significantly impacted the way I analyze things. The Scholars experience allowed me to gather a deep understanding of the details of science and apply myself in situations much more reasonably than I would have previously. By learning about different scientific methods, tackling complex problems, and engaging in collaborative research projects and discussions in Colloquium, SGC has significantly shaped my analytical skills and critical thinking abilities.
One specific example of how Scholars have impacted me was through taking part in PHIL100 in my first semester of college. At this time, we were looking at logical fallacies in the scholars class and analyzing different mechanisms of bias and errors in reasoning in science. This understanding of logical fallacies heavily influenced the way I looked at different arguments in class. Having the knowledge of ways people may ineffectively debate something, I was able to avoid making vague arguments in my papers and do very well in my writings. From Scholars, I was able to learn various different types of fallacies and highlight them when I was reading philosophical papers. From being able to call out ad-hominems in other arguments to providing great counter arguments in my own writings to strengthen my claims, I was able to really apply myself to the fullest because of the teachings from the Scholars course. I knew what to avoid when reasoning to create strong and supportive claims. Not only in philosophy, but in English and Anthropology, I truly was able to apply myself and make effective arguments by avoiding fallacies. By learning about the different fallacies in Scholars, it made me both a more productive speaker and writer.
A set of material that was really effective was learning about HTML and CSS in this course. As a computer science major, this was really important for me to understand, as I was able to gather knowledge about the front-end parts of Computer Science by creating and designing my own Scholar’s portfolio page. The ability to create a personalized portfolio page has proven to be a valuable asset in showcasing my skills and projects to potential employers and collaborators. Also, the hypothetical approach from Scholars also applied in the Computer Science world more than I would have expected. Although it isn’t exactly the same, my entire career in the field has been developing different hypotheses on how I can approach and tackle problems. This included a variety of algorithm computations and testing to assure the certainty of it working. It also consisted of improving my hypothesis and adding onto it by searching for the most efficient solution to the problem.
One of my favorite parts about working in the colloquium was surprisingly the group activities I’ve had. I’m not a very social person, but college as a whole has changed that about my personality. However, working with people in different research projects throughout the three semesters along with the in-class activities really helped me understand the perspective of my classmates and their opinions and knowledge on different things. This semester specifically, I was able to learn about so many different ways to combat climate change through the research of my classmates. Also from the in-class discussions, I was able to gain perspective on things that I hadn’t originally thought about from my peers. Gaining this experience was very valuable for me in college, as I was able to improve my communication skills and have better debates and discussions with my classmates. The diverse insights shared by my classmates not only deepened my understanding of the subject but also provided me with a holistic view of the multifaceted approaches to addressing environmental challenges. Lastly, I was able to form relationships in Scholars that lasted outside of the program, as my peers and I were able to collaborate in other common interests. Overall, the interaction between me and my peers was very important to my growth in knowledge and character.
In my time with Scholars, I believe that I have contributed to the course to a respectable degree. Since entering the program, I’ve participated in the Colloquiums with full participation and engaged in the in-class activities that were assigned to us. I was able to make sure that my opinions and voice were heard when discussing a topic with my peers. I also participated in the scholars activities such as the field trips and the online excursions as well. From the service project to the trips to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Smithsonian Research center, I was able to learn about a lot of ways in which different companies take initiative to combat climate change and help restore the environment. Because of this, I believe that I have heavily applied myself and contributed to the course to a high standard.
Being part of Scholars has been transformative, particularly in challenges, especially concerning climate change. Initially, I held a rather generalized understanding of environmental issues. However, the exposure to diverse perspectives within the Scholars community, along with engaging in research projects focused on climate change, significantly challenged my preconceived notions. Through interactions with classmates and exposure to varied research findings, I found myself reconsidering and reevaluating the urgency and complexity of climate change. It also helped assure more faith in the third semester after learning mechanisms in which people can combat climate change These experiences compelled me to critically assess and reflect on my initial beliefs.
My Scholars experience is poised to significantly influence my future endeavors. The refined analytical skills and interdisciplinary perspectives gained will undoubtedly inform my junior and senior years. The lessons on logical fallacies and diverse problem-solving approaches from computer science to climate change will be invaluable in both academic pursuits and post-undergraduate education. The collaborative efforts in Scholars will also resonate in my professional career, emphasizing effective communication and teamwork. The exposure to real-world applications, exemplified in HTML and CSS learning, will be directly applicable in the tech industry. Furthermore, the lessons in environmental initiatives will shape my approach to sustainability in any professional setting. As a whole, Scholars was a great experience and its influence will last for me far past just my undergraduate years.