Developing critical thinking

Hello Rabbi, I am 18 years old, and will soon be finishing my first lesson in yeshiva.
Since I arrived at the yeshiva, I have noticed the phenomenon that many yeshiva students (at least those around my age, and even a little later) do not really think critically. It did not bother me so much, until I noticed that I was one of them – most of my political and Torah opinions have changed towards the opinions of the yeshiva rabbis (and there are a few issues on which I disagreed with their words, but not very dramatic disagreements). Also in books and articles – when I read Rabbi Yoel Ben Nun’s article about a mistaken audience, I was convinced that his opinion is significant. So I read your response, and I was convinced that he actually did not innovate much, and then I read his response and was convinced again. And many other examples. In situations like this, I am left embarrassed – my positions really have no real meaning, because they are simply a collection of the wise and charismatic person with authority that I heard last.
And this is probably not a side phenomenon, at a meeting of the high school yeshiva after six months from the beginning of the first lesson, in a discussion circle where we talked about all sorts of topics, each one simply expressed more or less the perception of the yeshiva in which they study, in a very noticeable way. And this is not exactly yeshiva education, because at least we try to present disputes fairly and criticize them and their assumptions.
I would like to hear your opinion on the phenomenon I described (do you also encounter it/think it exists, is it simply a stage of brain development, or perhaps people of all ages develop herd mentality), and most of all, I would love to receive tips/methods on how to analyze attitudes I am exposed to, or what books/topics I should study in order to develop this thing.