There are functional photographs (like, I need a new desktop wallpaper, let me go take a picture), there are opportunistic photographs (ooh, BFF has a new baby, must get a photo of the little darling) and then there are those photographs that we feel compelled to take, that we are passionate about, that make us artists and not just hobbyists. (sp?)
When someone is first introduced to photography, like with any art form, they spend the majority of the time learning the tools and the basic techniques/rules. Digital photography has sooo much of a learning curve that just getting that part down can take a LONG time.
But once you can reliably capture the image you want to capture, then you have to figure out what images you want to capture. What your personal passion is about photography.
If you've figured out what that third class of photos is for you, you'd know it. Critiques from others (like that professor you mentioned) helps you become a better technician, but exposure to your craft, practice and experimentation (like from working your way through that OMG! list of Ken's or doing a project like 365) is what helps you find what your passion is, what your "eye" loves to look at. And that's what the real equipment in photography is - the eye behind the camera.
I think knowing what is pleasing to your eye, what gets you off, floats your boat, defines your "style" is the crossroads you're at right now.