The Beginning of English 103

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness." is the definition that the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking.
Critical thinking to me is having the capability to think beyond the surface of something you are looking at. In my life, I always have to use this skill because life is full of choices that can make or destroy your life. For example, I had three best friends as I was growing up, two of them I lost contact with as we got older but one is still me best friend today, but out of all four of us I am the only one who is attending college and did not get pregnant before graduating high school. I still am the only one who does not have a child, which I am glad that I have made the choice to go against what everyone else seems to be doing intentionally or unintentionally. I have always taken more challenging classes that have given me the power to think and make knowledgeable decisions on my own that affect all parts of my life.
Right now I work as a pharmacy technician and every day I have to make choices that can not only damage my life, but the lives of others. If I by chance put the wrong strength of medicine in a bottle for the pharmacist and they do not catch it, it could seriously hurt the patient and I would regret for ever. When I become a nurse my critical thinking will be fully put to the test because I have to make fast and thoroughly thought out choices in the matters of seconds sometimes. Having classes, like this, that train you to think critically and do it at a quick pace is going to make me a stronger nurse and more reliable and I will be the nurse I want to be.
In a matter of sixteen weeks, my for ever changing and learning mind is going to learn a more efficient way of thinking. I am going to be able to think deeper into topics and learn to take in different points of view that can make my mind stronger and help me further to make my final decision. I think after this course I will be more of an understanding person, but still have a backbone and stand up for what I believe in. I know that I will see the world in a new light because I will be more open minded because when you read a book you have to be open minded to fully grasp the true concept of a book. Who knows maybe I can overcome my fear of heights and go sky diving with my personal trainer.


Signing off,
                  The Girl Who is Always Under Construction.

"Believe those who are seeking the truth.  Doubt those who find it.  ~Andre Gide