Thinking Critically in College: The Essential Handbook for Student Success

by Louis E. Newman

Finally, a college prep book that actually prepares students for college!

Almost
all first-year college students discover that college courses are more
academically challenging than they expected, and certainly harder than
classes in high school. Professors expect students not just to absorb
material, but to analyze and synthesize it, consider multiple
perspectives, evaluate conflicting evidence, and then apply what they’ve learned in new contexts.

Thinking Critically in College explains how to do all this and more.

Louis E. Newman draws on decades of experience as a professor at
Carleton College and Dean of Academic Advising and Associate Vice
Provost for Undergraduate Education at Stanford, offering the guidance
you need to succeed both in college and in life post-graduation. Unique
among college prep books, Thinking Critically in College builds
on the latest research in learning, spells out the key critical thinking
skills you need, shows you how to tackle actual college assignments,
and provides exercises throughout to reinforce the lessons.
Written in a personal, engaging style, Thinking Critically in College
explains how to do the work your professors will require—exactly the
preparation you need, no matter what your academic background.
Practical, accessible, comprehensive, and interactive, Thinking Critically in College
is the definitive guide, not only for those in college or headed there,
but for everyone who needs a refresher on thinking clearly.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

304 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Denise Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be a good reference for the freshmen seminar I teach each fall. The author is an experienced educator and offers a lot of valuable insights and explains how he feels college should be different than high school, especially with regards to critical thinking. I did take some notes and will incorporate some of what the author shares into my lectures because it will be helpful to be able to explain critical thinking to my students.

Overall, I liked this book and its format. I did not read the book in a linear manner. I read the first chapter and then the last. I feel I learned the most in these two chapters. Then, for the remaining chapters, I read the intro, the conclusion, the questions for reflection, then the rest of the chapter. Doing this, made the book an informative, enjoyable read that will allow me to better articulate and explain our general education learning outcome about critical thinking.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is well-intentioned and as a professor I'm happy that it exists. I think, though, that it's not a fit for its target audience. Students who struggle with reading will probably not be able to get through the long, verbose chapter about how to read more closely. The chapter on understanding assignments is drier than any set of weirdly-worded directions. I think it's a good primer for faculty about what students need to be taught as first-years, but I don't know that I'd actually assign it to them.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many people reading this review were really prepared for college? More importantly, how many had teachers help us plan and prepare? My answer to all of these questions is: I had no idea even when I was shoved off the graduation stage like a little fledgling. I arrived at a giant school with giant classes, and it took me forever to actually get on my feet. I must have spent my first years wobbling around looking just like one of those fledglings, big eyes and all. This book would have given me such an edge to start. Such a chance to begin on day one rather than waking up on year two or three.

This is a teaching book for all of us. There can be no question it will help students, but I think it will help many of us question and evaluate. I won't say it's for everyone. But for those students who want to be smart, be prepared, and see the value in doing so, this is a book to read.

[Samantha Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish more students were encouraged to read these kinds of books before their first day of college. Louis Newman does a great job explaining one of the biggest adjustments students face: college is not just about memorizing information and repeating it on a test. It is about asking questions, looking at different perspectives, evaluating evidence, and forming your own well-reasoned conclusions.

This is more than just a guide to getting better grades. It encourages readers to become stronger thinkers and more confident learners. A valuable resource for students preparing for college or anyone who wants a refresher on how to think more clearly and carefully.

[Gina Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers something many incoming college students may not realize they need until they are already struggling: an explanation of how college-level thinking actually works.

Louis Newman clearly understands the challenges students face when transitioning from high school to college. What makes this guide stand out is that it focuses on developing habits of mind rather than offering quick tricks or shortcuts.

College may be the starting point for this book, but the lessons about thinking clearly, evaluating evidence, and approaching problems thoughtfully can benefit anyone. An insightful and genuinely helpful guide for becoming a stronger learner and thinker.

[R.K. Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting college can be overwhelming because the rules for learning suddenly feel different.

Louis Newman draws from his years of experience working with college students and gives readers a clear understanding of how to approach college-level learning.

I especially liked that the book does not feel limited to one subject or type of student. Whether someone is studying science, history, business, literature, or something else entirely, the ability to think critically is essential. This would make an excellent graduation gift for a student heading off to college.

[C. Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of books that tell students how to survive college, but Thinking Critically in College focuses on something even more important: how to actually learn at a higher level.

Louis Newman explains that college requires students to go beyond simply accepting information as it is presented.

I found this book thoughtful and incredibly relevant. It addresses the academic challenges that many students encounter when they realize that studying harder is not always enough. Sometimes success depends on changing the way you approach information altogether.

[Wiebke Kuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book that can be useful to any student throughout their college career. I found a couple of dimensions missing in the book, not even acknowledged. The organization allows for selected reading which again will work well for students who want to get a clearer sense of what kind of academic skills they should pay attention to. I do like the emphasis on asking questions, on discipline-specific thinking, and on reading and writing as essential for thinking.

[Grug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it hard to focus on this one. It's helpful, but finding the helpful between the chaff is draining.