Pathfinder Guidebook · FYE 100 Module 9 · Think It Through — Critical Thinking + STAR(T) Introduction
10 Essential Skills in this module
  • 1Communication
  • 2Critical & Creative Thinking
  • 9Knowledge Application
Mile Marker

Mile Marker #9: Think It Through

The assignment, with support, and a form you can fill in and save.

About 15 minutes 7 of 8 in this module

The thinking behind the thinking, and your first STAR(T) draft.

In this module you learned to spot thinking traps and use the 4C Check to slow down before reacting. You also saw how that same thinking makes a STAR(T) story more honest and specific. This Mile Marker has two parts: a look at your own thinking patterns, and your first STAR(T) draft, a real starting point for your capstone.

AI use: AI-supported

You may use AI as a thinking partner to ask you questions about your draft. It can't tell your story for you. Your responses must be in your own words and reflect your real experience.

See the AI Course Policy in the syllabus. Want a place to start? Try the optional AI thinking partner prompt.

Look back at

Lesson 1.4: AI use labels

Where to submit

Submit your responses in the Mile Marker #9 assignment in Blackboard. Check Blackboard for the due date.

Want help keeping it organized? The fill-in form at the bottom of this page saves your answers as a PDF named "Mile Marker #9" that you can upload to the assignment.

Prefer paper? A printable handout for this Mile Marker is with the assignment in Blackboard. Fill it in by hand, then upload a photo or scan.

Jump to the fill-in form

Part I: Know your pattern

Question 1

Name Your Pattern and a Better Question

Which thinking trap or bias from this module feels most like you? Choose from jumping to conclusions, all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralizing, mind reading, catastrophizing, confirmation bias, familiarity bias, the halo effect, or negativity bias, or describe one in your own words.

  • Give a real example of a time this pattern showed up in your life.
  • What's one question you could ask yourself instead, the next time it shows up?
  • What's one strategy that helps you slow down and think more clearly?
A strong answer

Names one pattern, gives a real example, offers a better question, and names one strategy for slowing down.

Look back at

Lesson 9.3: Biases

Thought traps

Part II: Your first STAR(T) draft

Question 2

Tell Your Story

Pick one real experience, from this semester or the recent past, and write it out using all five STAR(T) steps.

  • Situation: What was going on?
  • Task: What needed to happen, and what was your role?
  • Action: What did you specifically do? Not the group. You.
  • Result: What happened?
  • Transfer: Why does this matter going forward, for your next class, a future job, or your life?
A strong answer

Includes all five steps, uses "I" in the Action, and sounds like you.

Look back at

Lesson 9.5: STAR(T) in five steps

Find Your Stories

Question 3

Check It with the 4Cs

Reread your draft using the 4C Check and answer honestly.

  • Clarity and Context: Is your Situation clear, or does it need more detail?
  • Credibility: Is everything in your Action and Result accurate, or did you round up?
  • Consequences: Does your Transfer say something specific, or could it apply to anyone?

Then revise at least one part of your draft, and say what you changed.

A strong answer

Answers honestly, and shows a real revision to at least one step.

Look back at

Lesson 9.5: Run your draft through the 4C Check

Question 4

Name the Skill

Which of the 10 Essential Skills does this story connect to? You'll confirm your four capstone skills later, so for now, take your best guess and say why.

A strong answer

Names one skill and connects it to something specific in your story.

Look back at

Your four capstone skills

Optional: AI thinking partner

If you'd like help thinking through your draft, try this prompt in Microsoft Copilot or another AI tool:

Try this prompt

"Help me think through a STAR(T) story for a college reflection assignment. Here's my draft: [paste]. Using the 4C Check (Clarity, Context, Credibility, Consequences), what's one part of my story that could be clearer, more specific, or more accurate? Ask me questions. Don't rewrite it for me."

Use what's useful. AI can help you think it through. It can't tell your story for you.

Keep it general

Leave out your full name, where you live, and other identifying details, including other people's names in your story.

How it's scored

Full credit goes to honest, specific reflection in Part I and a STAR(T) draft that's clearly in your own voice, with real evidence of revision after the 4C Check.

Mile Marker scoring guide
ScoreWhat it means
4Strong ProgressYour response is thoughtful, specific, and clearly connected to the purpose of the Mile Marker. You show strong reflection, effort, and engagement with the topic.
3On TrackYour response addresses the main parts of the task and shows reflection and engagement. Some ideas could be explained in more detail or connected more clearly.
2DevelopingYour response is partially complete or too general. More detail, reflection, or clearer connections are needed.
1Needs RevisionYour response is very limited, incomplete, or unclear and does not fully address the task.
0No EvidenceNo submission was provided, or the response does not meaningfully engage with the task.

Fill it in and save as PDF

Type your responses below, then select Save as PDF. Upload the PDF to the Mile Marker #9 assignment in Blackboard.

Pathfinder Tip

Your typing is saved in this browser as you go, so you can come back later on the same device. It isn't sent anywhere until you upload it.

Mile Marker #9: Think It Through

Question 1Name Your Pattern and a Better Question
Question 2Tell Your Story
Question 3Check It with the 4Cs

In the print window, choose Save as PDF (or Microsoft Print to PDF) as the printer. The file name will start with "Mile Marker #9".