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<p>This is so importantly true! It seems to me that judging by both my freshman comp students, and the ones I was an academic counselor for, critical thinking gets short shrift in high schools, often. Students can memorize the textbook, and recite exactly what it says, but when asked to apply the knowledge in new configurations or contexts, they’re at a loss, which means they haven’t really learned the concept. I see that issue in the students I know in content-heavy courses like science or psych, and I also see many struggling, not always successfully, to demonstrate critical thinking rather than summarizing sources in my freshman comp essays. Not sure what the answer is, but recognizing the necessity, IF that’s the issue, is part of the battle. But definitely–tutoring! I think almost all colleges have free tutoring centers these days.</p>
<p>(Ordinarylives–I was also, until recently, an SSS counselor. It’s such a great program; I wish all students had that available to them!)</p>