This blog post explores how the emotions and memories associated with food translate into academic motivation and goals, offering meaningful direction for those aspiring to study Culinary Arts.
Writing about academic experiences and reflections
“Cultivating Study Habits Aligned with My Natural Rhythm”
I wasn’t particularly fond of studying or especially good at it. But I wanted to enter the Culinary Arts program. After embracing the big dream of getting into ○○○ University, I became determined to excel academically no matter what. So, I sought advice on study methods from friends who were good at studying and tried hard to apply it. Strangely enough, though, their study methods worked for them. They didn’t really work for me. Because of this, I found myself in a situation where, for the first time in my life, I had to review and rebuild my study plan without anyone’s help. So, I steeled my resolve and started rebuilding my study plan. First, I carefully examined my daily condition. Upon reflection, I realized I was good at memorization in the morning and good at solving problems when studying late at night. Armed with that clue, I began to create my own study plan.
In the mornings, I focused on reviewing the language section, social studies/culture section, and foreign language section, specifically tackling the difficult vocabulary that required memorization. I felt I had neglected too much of this material because I disliked memorization. So, I started memorizing basic language vocabulary, classical idioms, theories from the social studies/culture section, and irregular verbs and grammar rules from the foreign language section. I went to school diligently memorizing in the morning. After fully engaging in classes, I unconditionally solved one practice test every night. I alternated between language, math, and language/foreign language sections, striving to grasp the question patterns. No matter how tough it got, I tried not to skip studying or cut corners, dedicating myself fully each day. As a result, I could go back and address areas I’d previously glossed over, reducing my high error rates. Most importantly, as I began building a solid foundation, I could tackle application problems, which made studying enjoyable. Discovering solutions to problems I didn’t know before keeps me studying diligently even now.
Major School Activities and Reflections
“The sheer pleasure when delicious food enters people’s mouths!”
I received a lot of advice from people around me about high school clubs. Many suggested joining volunteer or essay-writing clubs to build points, as club activities now directly impact college admissions. However, I was determined to join a club I truly wanted to be part of. That’s why I dedicated myself to the meal service club, ‘Let’s Eat.’
As the name suggests, our club’s primary activity is managing meals. Our activities were divided into on-campus and off-campus duties. On campus, we’d arrive about 10 minutes before lunch to put on our cafeteria uniforms and serve meals to students. We’d eat late and head back to class. Occasionally, when special meals were served or extra hands were needed, we’d get permission from teachers to arrive 30 minutes early and assist the cafeteria staff. Additionally, once a month when dessert was served, I would come in early to help with odd jobs like carrying milk and spaghetti. The best part was building friendships with the ladies who worked there.
The reason I became close with the ladies was simply because I enjoyed it. I genuinely love the atmosphere of the kitchen. I adore the steam rising, the smells gradually becoming delicious, everyone working passionately, and above all, the care put into the food. That’s why I enjoyed kitchen work and loved making food itself, which is also why I volunteered. Watching the aunties and the nutritionist work alongside me was enjoyable, so I participated actively. As a result, I built friendships and was able to volunteer for off-campus meal services through the organization they were involved with. I consider this a truly great opportunity. I learned so much there.
Honestly, the off-campus meal service was much more demanding than the on-campus one. First, the sheer number of people we had to serve in poorly equipped outdoor facilities was a major limitation. Also, since they were adults rather than children, there were many extra considerations required. And occasionally, some people would openly say harsh things, which was both frightening and heartbreaking. I found myself wondering, “We’re here to serve, so why are they treating us like this?” Yet the aunts never let it bother them. They diligently did their work and, above all, poured their hearts into making the food as delicious as possible. Seeing them continue to pour their hearts into it, even though no one recognized their efforts, was so beautiful. Every time I volunteered with them, I fell in love with that beauty over and over again.
Gradually, a dream began to take root in my heart. I found myself wanting to serve delicious food to others. This led me to explore the field of culinary arts, and before I knew it, I was dreaming of the meticulously designed Culinary Arts Department at ○○○ University, supported by its faculty and staff.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
“Mentoring Junior Students to Support Those Struggling to Adapt”
I received so much valuable advice from my seniors. Wearing their hand-me-down clothes and gym uniforms, I realized, “Ah, this is what it means to have such wonderful seniors.” That’s why I wanted to become that kind of person myself. So, I actively participated in mentoring activities for junior students. Although I was only a year ahead, I shared advice I could offer to first-year high school students. I recommended good workbooks from those I had used, suggested how to study effectively with teachers, and offered tips on better study methods. What I felt through this activity was that ‘help begets help.’
I once saw a movie called “For a Beautiful World.” It was about a child who devised a method to make the world beautiful and put it into action. The method was this: if you help one person, that person shouldn’t repay you directly, but instead repay your help by helping three other people. Helping my juniors, I felt the same inspiration I had felt from that movie. When I received help from someone and then helped juniors, I didn’t think of it as a big deal at the time. But the idea was that someone who received help could then pass that help on to others. I actually saw friends I helped pass on the help they received from me to other people. Moreover, the probability of friends who had received mentoring actually applying to become mentors themselves was remarkably high. And the mutual support we provided while serving as mentors had a profoundly positive impact. Therefore, seeing the friends I helped now assisting juniors, I realized that help can be this way—mutually supportive and warming the group itself.
Growth Process and Motivation for Choosing My Major
“My mother’s delicious food during tough and difficult days”
I grew up with my mother, who was raising me alone. She took such good care of me that I scarcely felt the absence of a father’s presence, becoming my steadfast pillar of support. This was especially true with food. Whenever something good happened to me, my mother would always prepare delicious meals. Not just when I brought home a perfect score on a test, but also when I came home with friends I liked, or when I got an A in jump rope for the first time in my life – she treated me to delicious food even for small things. Naturally, I came to think that delicious food meant spending good days with loved ones. That’s why I loved the kitchen and loved food. Before I knew it, I found myself becoming good at cooking. I found myself preparing meals for my younger sibling. I found myself feeling joy while volunteering at the cafeteria. Naturally, I hoped the work I would do would be related to the kitchen and to people’s happiness. That’s why I chose to apply for the Restaurant and Culinary Arts program.
Among them, I specifically applied to ○○○ University because it’s a university I like, and I believe it’s a university that provides students with many opportunities. ○○○ University is renowned for its faculty, who are thoroughly practice-oriented, and it strives to offer students lectures that allow for a broader perspective. Furthermore, it provides access to entrepreneurship programs, alternative educational approaches, and broader lectures in the form of special seminars, while also offering substantial support. Every time I read about these aspects in the newspaper, it made me feel I must seize the opportunity by attending this school. I felt strongly that I could do it, and I wanted to do it. It was the first time I had ever felt such a strong desire. And it was the first time I had ever wanted something with such passion. I want to go to university, engage passionately in activities, and become a chef who can see further ahead and make a difference.
