4 steps sharpen critical thinking skills

Students are figures who are expected to be able to create change in society for the better. Through their scientific capacity, students are encouraged to be careful and agile in answering complex problems.

Seeing these needs, it is important for a student to equip himself with critical thinking skills. People with critical thinking skills usually have the skills to analyze and evaluate statements, including the ability to make decisions and solve problems.

The urgency of practicing critical thinking skills was also felt by Stella Regina Andita, a student at the University of North Sumatra. He is one of the recipients of the Djarum Scholarship Plus or commonly called Beswan Djarum.

Beswan Djarum batch 2020/2021 had the opportunity to take part in a series of soft skills training with selected outstanding students from all over Indonesia. One of the trainings is entitled Leadership Development. Critical thinking is included in the material discussed.

"After attending the training, I came to understand that a good leader is able to think critically when he sees a problem, so he becomes a visionary," said the student of the Psychology study program.

So here are four steps to sharpen critical thinking skills that can be applied:

Beware of confirmation bias
Described by the Harvard Business Review, confirmation bias is the tendency to ignore conflicting information when looking for evidence to confirm our original views.

Confirmation bias is one of the key 'cognitive biases' that humans have, and operates on a subconscious level. It affects our ability to process information. Usually appears when problems are emotionally charged. But it could happen at any time. So don't rush to decide. Be prepared and open to changing your mind.

Open To Many Possibilities
Algorithms created by the internet continue to lead us only to what we want. As a result, the information we consume shapes our thinking patterns.

So to get out of this trap, we have to get used to thinking in a complex way. Look at each problem from different perspectives. That the solution is not only one. So this habit also encourages us to think creatively.

Apply Cognitive Empathy or Intellectual Empathy
Putting yourself into trying to understand what the other person is thinking. This step is quite effective especially when there is disagreement within the group. Debates can be brought in a more productive direction than bringing each other down.

Empathy will grow when we don't feel 'most right'. So that it opens the possibility that our interlocutor may not be wrong. That's where the dialogue comes from.

Thoroughly Check Source
Starting from the selection of resource persons who must be relevant to the topic raised. Examine the background of the source, his side, and the context of his statement. Then when looking for sources, find opinions from different sides for comparison.

Critical thinking is not an inborn talent. This ability needs to be honed continuously.
Meanwhile, Djarum Foundation's Associate Program for Educational Service, Lounardus Saptopranolo said that critical thinking skills are needed in dealing with the era of disruption in the industrial revolution 4. which is also the future skills needed in the future. That way they will be able to present the solutions needed for the community.”

In line with the provision of soft skills for Beswan Djarum, Bakti Pendidikan Djarum Foundation has also opened opportunities for students to join as Beswan Djarum batch 2021/2022 starting March 21, 2021. Registration can be done online at www.djarumbeasiswaplus.org.

In addition to scholarship funds, Beswan Djarum have the opportunity to hone and apply soft skills directly through a series of programs ranging from Character Building, Leadership Development, Nation Building, Competition Challenges, Community Empowerment, to International Exposure.

Registration for the Djarum Scholarship Plus 2021/2022 is open for 4th semester students at the S1/D4 level, active in organizations, and not currently receiving scholarships from other parties.

"This achievement scholarship has the aim of forming the young generation as future leaders of Indonesia who have emotional skills, intelligence and a visionary spirit so that in the future they will be able to make changes for the community for the better," he explained.