Critical thinking refers to the process of skillful and active conceptualization, synthesis, application, evaluation, and analysis of information gathered from various sources and in various ways to guide one’s actions and beliefs (Bergh & Behrer, 2013). An individual can use available information to make decisions on issues in real-life scenarios. For university students, critical thinking is important in various ways. One of how critical thinking may be useful to a university student is when selecting the appropriate field as a major. A student will need to understand why he or she is choosing a given course to pursue a student should critically think and develop reasons why such a course is important. The primary reason should not just be the marketability of the course. That may change after some time. There must be other valid reasons why one would settle on a specific curse. Examinations and tests are other areas where critical thinking is of great value to a university student. As Kallet (2014) says, in modern society where new challenges are emerging, educators are trying to find ways of empowering learners to use their knowledge to solve these emerging challenges. Institutions of higher learning are redefining the way examinations are set. Examiners currently require learners to apply knowledge learned in class to solve socio-economic problems. Critical thinking can help in such exams. I believe that critical thinking will not only help me in achieving academic excellence but also addressing various socio-economic and political challenges today and in the future.
References
Bergh, J., & Behrer, M. (2013). How cool brands stay hot: Branding to Generation Y. London, UK: Kogan Page.
Kallet, M. (2014). Think smarter: Critical thinking to improve problem-solving and decision-making skills. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Martinez, C. S. L. (2014). Strategies, techniques, & approaches to critical thinking: A clinical reasoning workbook for nurses. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
Pătruț, B., & Pătruț, M. (2013). Social media in higher education: Teaching in Web 2.0. Hershey PA: Information Science Reference.