Dr. Holtz yelling at the class that the world ending each week will forever be a core memory of my college experience. Walking into the same room for three semesters, I never knew what to expect from a lecture. This class has provided me with a new method of thinking that will likely prove useful to me in all aspects of life, not just in an academic setting. Although scholars may have not been the most rigorous of my classes, the program as a whole will prove to be one of the most useful things that I have done in college. One of the things I appreciated the most about this class was that it was not simply another science class but instead taught you how to have independent thought through science. Rather than boring us with a barrage of facts, SGC cultivates independent thought through the scientific lens. I distinctly remember the lecture on logical fallacies a lesson that has proven paramount in the various facets of my life. As a Palestinian, logical fallacies have been a constant companion throughout my existence. My whole life I have heard them being used against me and my people. I am the last person who needs to tell you that tensions have been high on campus recently. Whenever I am on Instagram or at a protest, there are always some form of counter-protestors who will attempt to use logical fallacies against me. I never respond because their argument is illogical but knowing that that is what is happening has been key in pointing out exactly what is false about their argument to my friends. I can now recognize and deconstruct illogical arguments presented to me, which makes my arguments more powerful. On a happier note, SGC has also helped me discover my major. I came into UMD undecided but quickly realized I wanted to major in Social Data Science within the Info College. This is a brand new major which intrigued me. The social aspect comes in my picking a track for you to focus on. After analyzing the dataset about ancient carbon, I realized someone could use geographical data for good. Lectures on mapping situations resonated deeply with me, particularly in the context of addressing climate change by identifying the regions most affected. Naturally, I gravitated toward the Geographical Information Systems track, a decision led by the critical thinking skills instilled in me by Scholars. Discovering my major within this unique program not only fueled my intellectual curiosity but also solidified my commitment to making a positive impact through the intersection of data and geography. Ultimately, I want to use data to help slow the effects of climate change. I want to be able to say I made a difference to not allowing th earth to reac a 2 degree celsius change. SGC played a pivotal role in shaping my academic trajectory, serving as a launchpad for success in other classes. In GEOG 201, I filled in the gaps in my environmental education that SGC gave me the basis of. We learned about the carbon cycle in depth, giving me a greater understanding of how greenhouse gasses are destroying the ozone layer and affecting climate change. In INST 326, I learned programming skills that have enabled me to map geographical data and track climate progress. Living with fellow scholars eased my transition to college life because everyone was going through the same thing but also had at least one similar interest. My learning was enhanced by several peers such as Lauren Grove, who helped our group get creative and dive deep into our freshman colloquium final video. Caroline Perret and I met through scholars. Now I consider her one of my closest friends and we study together almost every day. The people in Scholars help me learn in and out of class. Contributing as a peer mentor was my way of giving back to SGC what it had given me. I tried to be as active within the community as possible. The second service day that I went to as a mentor made me realize how much Scholars had given me my freshman year. I have tried my best to be a good mentor for the new scholars since. I think I proved my contribution to SGC after constantly coming out with mud on my face after excursions like that. Admittedly, the Scholars Program did not expose me to a diverse range of beliefs. This may have been a side effect of not learning about very controversial topics. Although it was nice to know that we all shared the same beliefs and values concerning the environment. Looking forward, I am poised at the intersection of academic achievement and personal growth. Thankfully I have SGC to guide me through these next steps. Its impact is not confined to a set of courses or a specific timeframe but will live through my choices, perspectives, and interactions that are yet to come. The lessons on logical fallacies, the discovery of my academic passion, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills have collectively shaped my college experience. The Scholars Program not only facilitated the discovery of my academic passion but also instilled a broader perspective on the interconnectedness of disciplines. The fusion of social data science with geographical information systems, inspired by my experiences in SGC, exemplifies the interdisciplinary approach essential for tackling contemporary challenges. The Scholars Program has been more than a series of classes it has been a transformative journey that transcends the traditional confines of academia. Dr. Holtz's weekly warnings of a world on the brink, while initially daunting, catalyzed intellectual exploration and personal growth. Dr. Merck s passion made me realize that the topics he was teaching were real and to be cared about. Although I know I sometimes complained about teh trek to north campus evey Monday, I think I am really going to miss it. In our last lecture, Dr. Merck taught us that we should question all authority, including himself. I had never seen such openness about reality from a professor before. That openness to independent thought will carry with me wherever I end up next.