Critical thinking it is a given type of focused thinking, that is purposeful, reasoned, goal-directed and above it all it’s a thinking that aims to solve problems.
As a critical thinker, I gradually developed standards that I have been using in my studies and campus life to judge things, since critical thinking to me it is not just jumping into conclusions. Having an open mind is one of the factors that I have been putting into practice, being open-minded it has greatly assisted me not to be biased while making decisions and it has even helped me to easily notice facts and work with them and not just ignoring facts.Having paid attention to the processes and products of my own thinking, I realized that I had to examine each and every decision that I usually make. For instance, when I review my own diary on (03/09/2018) I noticed that I had a strict class schedule, that it forced me to formulate a studying timetable so as I could be able to manage my time well. Formulating my own timetable was not an easy task, I was forced to reason well. The reasoning is the foundation of critical thinking it gave me the opportunity to come to a conclusion based on more than one arguments that I had in my mind at that moment. After taking time figuring it out why I really needed to formulate a timetable, I was able to analyze each and every single argument that I had and I tried hard to avoid faulty reasoning and eventually, I ended up having my own study timetable.
Assessing assumption was one of the key factors that drove me to keep on taking and doing an online assessment test and even course text tests. An assumption is something that is able to limit one’s thinking, hence commonly known as intellectual laziness. I was able to overcome this tragedy by taking every single detail seriously this helped me identify my weak topics and my best study modes on given courses. Having this in mind I managed to work on every single topic that I felt like I was not good at, as from (17/09/2018) to (21/09/2018) and at the end of the day it was one of the best ways of preparing for my exams and CATs.Problem solving, being one of the key aspects in academia. I was forced to be flexible in that my critical thinking skills are supposed to be amenable. Using this kind of aspect in my studies I was forced to define and identify the problems.
For instance, when I review my diary on (19/09/2018) I was able to notice that I had a problem with some of the topics in my course BUS 1010 and I eventually realized that Aural and Visual as modes of studying were not working out for me and by identifying that I was to come up with possible solutions. Having gathered the possible options to work with I decided to create criteria that I was to use to evaluate each options, this made me to take a look on different types of studying modes that I know and used. By doing that I managed to evaluate each possible solution that I came up with and at the end of the day I got rid of Aural and Visual as a mode of study in BUS 1010. Read and write and Kinesthetic emerged as the option to go on with but eventually I found myself going on with Read and write only since it was the best solution to me.
Implementing solution and evaluating the results is the best practice in campus studies. Having used critical thinking skills in solving my study problems, systematically, logically and effectively I was able to gather a higher self-esteem and life satisfaction. I managed to score higher grades in my CATs and even my mid semester exams.Considering claims, being an aspect in reasoning it helped me in making competent research in my assignments and even personal work. I was able to work well with group work and ending up with the best presentations in class. Evaluating claims is one of the fundamental factors in reasoning, a claim is a statement that can either be true or false and it can never be both. Having this in mind I was forced to gather enough information from past research made and this helped me to make research on every single details that I had little or no information about.Decision making, are all based on the arguments brought on the table during that time.
Calculating my own arguments will enhance me coming up with the best decision. Having a more complicated decision to come up with, it will lead to a more thoughtful process and to some extent decision making is individualistic. I was able to notice that there are different ways I can use when making my decision. One of the commonly used way is directive style that requires an individual to use practical data in making decisions. Here I noticed that I only need speed, efficiency, results and focus on short term fixes. When making my decision using this style I usually refer back to my past experience, facts and rules. For instance, when I look at my diary I can see that on (12/09/2018) I got into a conflict with a schoolmate but I was forced to gather courage and showed that individual that he was on fault and he had to apologize to me.
Analytical is one of the styles that I used in making decision, analytical style uses logical approach and it gives me an opportunity to carefully search for the best options and solutions to my academic and campus problems. I usually use this style in analyzing data in my group work and assignments.Being a critical thinker, I was forced to develop plans of my actions. I had to evaluate myself and come up with a plan on how I can be able to learn new things.
This was made possible by understanding what I already know, mastering them and making sure I do not forget them. Having developed my action plan, I was able to monitor my own plans and taking note of each and every single progress that I make and at the end of it all I evaluated my plan and compared it with all other past plans that I had and eventually noticing the progress I have made all through.
