Final answer:
Critical reading is pivotal in college success and involves analyzing text, thinking deeply, and making connections, going beyond mere comprehension. It enhances one's intellectual and professional abilities by fostering critical thinking skills, and although time constraints tempt students to skip readings, engaging directly with texts results in academic excellence and personal growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Critical reading is essential for academic success in college and for professional development thereafter. It involves the analysis and evaluation of text, questioning its logic, determining its credibility, identifying biases, and understanding rhetorical strategies. Beyond comprehension, it involves interpreting, making connections between ideas, and synthesizing new thoughts. Active engagement with the text through multiple readings and from different angles allows students to deepen their understanding and improves their ability to think, write, and speak critically.
Furthermore, being a critical thinker means exercising reason and judgment across various mediums, from social media to academic papers. An important aspect of this skill is the ability to build 'information bridges' that connect concepts within and across texts. This leads to enhanced insight and the crafting of well-substantiated conclusions in one's written work.
Unfortunately, due to the demands of the gig economy and time constraints, students often resort to shortcuts such as using study guides instead of performing the readings. However, this strategy misses out on the deep analysis and engagement that is pivotal to truly benefiting from literature. Therefore, completing readings is not just a requirement but a critical factor in a student's personal and intellectual growth. As demonstrated through practical experiences, undertaking the readings leads to higher academic performance and a newfound appreciation for literature.