Creative Thinking
We were all creative as small children.  As adults, we may need to get back in touch with our creativity so that we can be successful in school, work and our personal lives.   One popular technique for creative thinking is brainstorming.  Use brainstorming when you need to think of a topic for that paper you need to write or need some creative ideas to solve a personal problem.

Rules for Brainstorming:

1. For the first step, quantity is more important than quality.   Do not censure your ideas:
2. Quality is the second step.
3. Set a goal or quota.
4. Be able to risk looking foolish

Try this Creativity Exercise

Visit the Creativity Web for more ideas on creative thinking:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~caveman/Creative/

Critical Thinking

As you read and discuss ideas in college, practice these techniques for critical thinking:

Rules for Critical Thinking

1. Be willing to say, "I don't know".  This opens your mind to look at different possibilities.
2. Define the problem and the terms.  What is the issue?
3. Practice tolerance for different points of view.
4. Seek to understand before criticizing.
5. What is the source of the information?  If it is an advertisement or political opinion, who is paying for it or who wrote it?
6. Ask questions.
7. Look for at least 3 different answers. 
8. Be willing to listen to all factors and to change your mind if appropriate.

Click here for a
Critical Thinking Outline  

Links to Other Resources on Critical and Creative Thinking