Application Letters.

Student’s Name
Professor’s NameCourse Title
Date of Submission
What challenges me the most and how I have worked to overcome this limitation.
One of the most serious challenges that I met while at the university is cultural differences, to be specific, changing my thinking mode to critical thinking. In China, the high school education emphasized imparting knowledge that is essential, and the general study mode of students is merely accepting the knowledge that is taught by teachers and complete exercises that are required. Students are used to “compliance” rather than “challenge”. For example, when I consider the historical events, students are required to remember the cause and result. The students lack the analytical thinking. The advantage of Chinese education is that it causes the students to learn quickly. However, the demerit is that students become weak in critical and creative thinking.
Therefore, it was difficult for me trying to apply the critical thinking skills while studying. To enhance my ability of critical thinking which is helpful to analyze, evaluate and apply information more well-found, and independently, I came up with a routine for my study. While reading, I first understand the topic and the author’s purpose for writing (Carter 64). I then highlight the main points, and sub-points emphasized and the researchers mentioned. Other questions I ask myself are whether the text was easy to read and whether the authors’ goals were accomplished (Carter 64). Later on, I read other materials related to the subject to find out conflicting viewpoints and whether there is any new information on the subject, not just the material that was provided by the teacher.

Lastly, I look for past papers on the area I have studied on and try answering the questions without referencing and later asses myself. This has helped me to become more independent and self-directed since I can do my study without anyone pushing me. I have independently formulated a working study schedule and self-assessment pattern that goes a long way in showing how I have taken total ownership of my education.
Work Cited
Carter, Ronald. Language and creativity: The art of common talk. Routledge, 2015.