Throughout your time at university you'll continually be asked to "think critically." Of course, this term sounds terribly academic and scholarly, but it's important to remember that "thinking critically" is something we all do every day.

For example, you're thinking critically whenever you discuss the merits and weaknesses of things you see on TV, or try to decide whether to buy brand X or brand Y of some product.

What is critical thinking?

Being 'critical' essentially means adopting a questioning and evaluative mindset rather than blindly accepting what is what is presented in books and other materials. It also means trying to find out the implications of ideas, and to draw reasonably inferences when things are not clear-cut.