#GetToKnow Nur Latifah Alhasymmie-Critical Thinking in Pursuing Master's Degree Abroad

Who is She

Nur Latifah Alhasymmie, or usually called by Ipeh, is one of the best alumni of EDC who has successfully pursued a master's degree at Georgetown University Law Center in the United States, with many other outstanding achievements interests in law. EDC, one of the most important part for her to reach the present self of herself. 

"I started to be aware of critical thinking through debate competitions with EDC," she said.

What is Critical Thinking 

Before we discuss this interesting topic further, we need to know the meaning of the keywords we've mentioned before which is 'critical thinking'.

According to Ipeh, critical thinking is the ability to think rationally and critically about everything that happens around us. We can practice this ability and apply it in daily life, including in college, work, and socializing in organizations.

More Than Just the Way of Thinking

We might already know what critical thinking is and how we should potray that, but it’s more that just “the way of thinking”, critical thinking also has a lot of benefits, roles, and functions. When it comes to the benefits of critical thinking, Ipeh admits that she gets a lot of real benefits. She said, "The benefits are different in every phase of my life. For example, when I was in college and that also the first time i could be aware of critical thinking through a debate competition with EDC, I learned a lot about how to be critical, logical, and always curious about the issues at hand I'm studying. I'm also learning to see an issue from different perspectives. This matter is done in order to enrich our understanding of an issue, as well as get used to thinking rationally by holding on to facts, with not assumptions.”

“Now, when you have worked, this critical thinking ability becomes also very valuable in supporting our professionalism. When we gotta deal with a problem for example, I become accustomed to thinking to find solutions calmly and methodically, not in a hurry based on emotion. Even when we are faced with something beyond knowledge, critical thinking also conditioned me to actively seek information on my own trusted sources first, then for example, ask other people or look for information passively,” she continued enthusiastically.

How Ipeh Maintain Her Critical Thinking Up to Master’s Degree

Critical thinking is important, so it is also important for us to maintain this way of thinking. According to Ipeh, expanding knowledge and networking is one of the most effective ways to maintain sharpness of mind which is the most important tool to reach out this skill. Then, how to expand knowledge? We can get it by reading a lot, whether from books, articles, newspapers, etc. Reading books both fiction or non-fiction books, according to our professional field or self-help can help us on how we self-actualize ourselves. By reading a lot from books, news, or articles about anything anywhere which is not only limited in our field, but also over everything that is happening in the world automatically would broaden our insight, sharpen the nature of empathy, and help us to think rationally and create better problem solving.

In this case, networking is also important. The wider we spread the network, the wider it would help us to reach knowledge and future career opportunities.Therefore, broadening knowledge and networking are the main keys in maintaining critical thinking. By maintaining this way of thinking, it will not only make it easier to carry out a masters degree, but will also continue to be used both in the world of work and daily life. Let's say critical thinking helps to make our life easier. 

Critical Thinking Needed in Carrying Out The Master's Degree

As a Master’s Degree seeker, Ipeh feels that it is very important for us to be able to argue and solve problems rationally because the Master’s Degree level requires a higher level of understanding, power, wiser and stable mindset, and better academic skills. So, we must be able to think critically in order to be better at pointing out our opinion, solving problems that exist, seeing anything through the other 's shoes, also helps us to minimizing the wrong perspective. In addition, we also need to have a good writing skill and evaluate the results of it in pursuing master's degree.

Challenges and the Way Ipeh Manages Her Master’s Degree.

Although Ipeh has always been known as a person who has a good critical thinking, she admits that she had faced some challenges when she was just starting her Master’s Degree study, which is how she needs to get used to a dozen assignments and reading materials. "How often did we used to read when we were in undergraduate? Definitely not as much as the amount and duration of reading or study in Master’s Degree,” she said.

Therefore, we must get used to reading with focus and a strict schedule so that all assignments and readings can be fulfilled according to the class schedule.

Beside adapting by taking more time to study and read, Ipeh also managed these difficulties by being active in class, such as always asking questions and giving opinions.

A Few Meaningful Quote From Ipeh

"The willingness to continue to learn and be professional will continue to push us to use our critical thinking every day, even without realizing it."

In addition, Ipeh also encourages us to keep maintaining our curiosity to be able to absorb more information and sort the information that can be trusted and reprocessed into ourselves.

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All EDC members would like to say special gratitude to kak Ipeh for making time to share this wonderful and insightful story! We look forward to having more conversations in the future.

Writer: Nazhela aulia

Editor: Dianisha Syahputri

Images: Credit to @nuralhasymmie on instagram