Another advantage being a part of SGC has provided me is the opportunity to connect with others in the program and create a community. I have formed connections in the form of lasting friendships with other hardworking people, which in turn enhances my own learning as we encourage each other to work hard and study often by doing so as a group like in study sessions. This is particularly helpful come exam seasons when motivation can be difficult to find but extremely necessary for such defining grading points. Additionally, I have connected and made friendships with other people within my major and taking the same courses as I. So we can help each other learn specific topics and work together on collaborative assignments. Not only are these connections important for the quality of my work but also in maintaining my passion for the subjects I enjoy since I also enjoy the company and understanding of like-minded people, sharing a passion for the same or similar work and ways of thinking.

  In terms of providing a challenge to my beliefs and opinions, it made me reflect upon my understanding of climate change and scientific thinking and round out my own beliefs on them as well as add to them with information I never knew which strengthened my previous understandings. I was also able to use the strengthening of these beliefs to impart my knowledge on the subject to others when the topic of global climate change came up, potentially creating a cycle of challenging beliefs and opinions as the knowledge spreads from person to person.

  Overall Scholars has given me a deeper understanding of critical thinking around not only global climate change, but also into scientific thought and processes, and general problem solving. These are invaluable skills in anyone's future, but I particularly appreciate such skills in Computer Science because when it comes to breaking down the creation/implementation of a program and/or system this type of thinking is key.