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Welcome to your crash course in confidence. Every day, you encounter dozens of bold claims online—from study hacks to health advice—and it's exhausting trying to work out what's solid and what's shaky. Here's the good news: one simple question can transform how you evaluate information. Ask yourself, 'Who checked this before it went public?' This single habit will save you from wasting time on unreliable sources and help you build your knowledge on firmer ground.
When You Find Something That Sounds Impressive
You're scrolling through your feed or researching for an essay, and you stumble across a claim that grabs your attention. Maybe it's a revolutionary study technique or a 'fact' about productivity. Your first instinct might be to screenshot it and move on. But pause. This is your moment to become a critical thinker rather than a passive consumer.
The claim might be genuine gold, or it might be fool's gold. The difference often comes down to one thing: whether anyone with expertise looked it over before it was published. When you encounter information, notice your reaction. Are you instantly convinced? That's your cue to dig deeper.
Ask the Simple Question That Changes Everything
Here's where the magic happens. Stop and ask: 'Who checked this?' Think of peer review like sending your essay to the class experts before you submit it—scary, but your grade usually thanks you. When experts review work before publication, they spot sloppy methods, leaps in logic, and missing evidence. This doesn't make a claim magically perfect, but it dramatically reduces the chance you're reading unchecked opinions dressed up as facts.
This extra layer of scrutiny acts as your quality filter. It's the difference between accepting advice from a random internet stranger and accepting advice that's been vetted by people who actually know their stuff.
Spot the Difference Between Sources
Now for the practical bit. When you meet a claim, notice where it lives:
- Is it in an academic journal that uses expert review?
- Is it in a reputable publication with editorial standards?
- Or is it a self-published blog post, social media thread, or YouTube video?
If it's the latter, treat it with more caution. Look closely at the evidence behind it. Check whether the author cites their sources and whether those sources are themselves peer-reviewed. If it's been reviewed by experts, you can give it a bit more initial trust—then still evaluate the reasons and evidence on their own merits. The location of information tells you a lot about how many checkpoints it passed through.
Build Your Confidence With Reliable Sources
Make 'Who checked this?' part of your daily routine. It's a small question with a massive payoff. You'll spend less time chasing unreliable claims and more time building on work that's been through proper scrutiny. Over time, you'll develop a nose for quality sources, and that confident smile from the comic will be yours.
The ability to verify information quickly isn't just an academic skill—it's life armour. Whether you're making decisions about your health, your studies, or your career, knowing how to separate solid information from noise gives you a genuine advantage.
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