This blog post explores how interests formed in daily life—such as reading newspapers, time management, and school activities—can connect to choosing the Economics and Trade major and serve as compelling grounds in the academic plan.
Writing about academic experiences and reflections
“Let’s use time meticulously”
When I first entered high school, I felt very intimidated. All my friends were going to cram schools, taking private lessons, or at the very least studying with online lectures, but I was in a position where I couldn’t do any of those things. So, while listening to lectures online by people who studied well, I happened to see an interview with a senior who scored perfect marks on the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) on the news. People assume someone who aced the CSAT must have some secret method. But that senior said the same thing: he studied primarily from textbooks, practiced repetition, utilized spare moments, and avoided doing schoolwork at home whenever possible. Hearing that, I thought, “If studying like that can get you a perfect CSAT score, then I can do it too.” So I made a conscious effort to use my time meticulously.
First, when listening to the teacher, I tried to memorize and review right then and there. During class, I always concentrated, never dozed off or focused on other things, and diligently organized my notes. Then, during breaks, I tried to memorize all those notes. Of course, I couldn’t memorize everything, but by starting to review intensely like that, I could absorb more right then and there. I also utilized every spare moment. I actively used not just breaks, but also lunch time, evening time, and so on, to secure as much study time as possible. I studied that way and instead went to bed early. And I never forgot to plan my studies so I could fully utilize those spare moments.
And it was truly beneficial that, through studying this way, I was able to establish my own ‘habit’ independently. Once utilizing spare time became a habit, I no longer wasted time daydreaming or letting my mind wander, allowing me to use each day productively. A regular routine calmed my mind and enabled me to focus on my studies.
Writing about major school activities and reflections
“A tradition for juniors, a beautiful tradition”
Our school has many good traditions. Among them, the best tradition is the one where we clean the classrooms for the juniors. Students moving from first to second year sweep and mop the classrooms and empty the lockers for the incoming first-year students who will use those classrooms. This is completely different from a regular deep cleaning; it involves moving the lockers outside to wash them, so you can say every nook and cranny is polished to a shine. Then, students moving from second to third year leave behind or recommend good textbooks and workbooks they used. They also write down insights gained moving up and things to study in second year. This is how they maintain traditions for juniors. Participating in this activity is what I remember most vividly.
It made me feel a renewed sense of emotion, like, “Finally, I’m moving up to the next grade.” Moving from first to second year, cleaning and mopping for my friends, I thought, “My seniors must have done this for me too,” and it felt fresh. Also, while cleaning, it felt like I was digging up memories I’d buried over the past year, scattered here and there, and that was incredibly rewarding. Then, moving from second to third year, I looked back on what I’d studied and gained strength mixed with regret. By third year, I resolved to study diligently, building on the trial and error I’d experienced in second year.
And this tradition—the tradition of doing something for each other—subtly gifted our grade with a sense of camaraderie. Experiencing and feeling that bond firsthand, I realized how traditions leave good memories between people. It made me think that wherever I go and whatever I do in the future, I should follow the traditions there well—because traditions don’t just happen. So, while I used to be somewhat passive about upholding traditions or participating in activities, attending this school, meeting great seniors and teachers, and experiencing these positive things helped me become a brighter person. I consider it a stroke of luck that I found this high school.
“My most enjoyable hobby: reading newspapers”
The club I joined was a newspaper discussion club. We read newspapers, made scrapbooks, and then discussed them based on that material. It was quite fun. The first thing I gained was realizing just how many things happen in the world. Thanks to this, I learned about economics, politics, and society. Another thing I learned was that people can have such different thoughts. Even though we were friends of the same age who grew up in similar environments, our thoughts were completely different. So, I was able to hear diverse opinions and learn to accept them.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and What I Learned
“As vice-class president, voicing opinions and expressing classmates’ views on their behalf”
The effort I put most into for cooperation, and the effort I put most into for class unity and conflict resolution, was attending meetings, voicing opinions, and expressing my friends’ opinions on their behalf. As vice-class president, I gained the privilege of attending the monthly general meeting alongside the class president. That meeting was surprisingly intense; it was a place where we could propose everything from securing festival funds for each class to matters related to welfare. And I worked hard with the class president to prepare for these meetings, wanting to bring back as many results as possible.
That’s why, even in the proposal for class outings, we were the first to pass the motion for ‘each class to plan and go on outings separately’. Originally, our school had a system where the entire grade went on outings together. Of course, that would be nice, but the important thing was that individual personalities and opinions were ignored. Furthermore, moving such a large group made it difficult to properly enjoy places like amusement parks or restaurants. And because so many people had to move together, the places we could go were also limited. So, I analyzed how other schools implemented class-specific field trips, evaluated their pros and cons, and proposed and passed it during the meeting. Our class went on a field trip to a reed forest, where we could quietly enjoy nature, find healing, and return.
This experience taught me to value and make the most of the opportunities I have. Of course, I’m still young and my options are somewhat limited. Nevertheless, there are ample opportunities to utilize. By carefully observing and researching my surroundings, I realized there are many things an individual can change. Having grasped this, I made an effort to seize and utilize those opportunities. This allowed me to engage in a wider variety of activities.
I built memories with good friends in quiet places and introduced welfare initiatives to improve the environment.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
“I hope to study in the Department of Economics and Trade to become a leader shaping the future.”
The reason I aspire to study Economics and Trade is because the subject itself holds immense appeal for me. Since my sophomore year of high school, I pondered deeply about which subject to study. While reading the newspaper, I began to take an interest in the field of ‘economics’. The reason I became interested was that I thought it was a discipline that greatly influences people’s daily lives, industries, and activities, despite being a field not easily accessible to the general public. It was a subject that allowed me to understand how ‘money’ literally flows in a capitalist society. Drawn to this, I began to diligently read the economics section. This led me to take an interest in the Department of Economics and Trade.
Economics is the study of finding the best rational solutions to various problems related to human material life. Trade studies, as the name suggests, is the study of learning to communicate, coordinate, and manage. In other words, the Department of Economics and Trade is a program that cultivates professionals who can practically apply both specialized knowledge about the flow of funds and methods of communication. When my thoughts reached this point, I decided I must enroll in this department. I also sensed there were many things I could accomplish. Having enjoyed attending meetings, coordinating opinions, and steering new directions as a vice-class president, I dreamed of becoming a professional who could engage in similar activities both internationally and within Korea. In other words, I aspired to become a ‘Management Consultant’.
Therefore, if I am admitted to the Department of Economics and International Trade at Kyungpook National University, I pledge to be a diligent and dedicated student. Building on this academic foundation, I plan to pursue an internship at an international corporation to gain overseas experience. Drawing from this experience, I aspire to become someone who understands the growth processes of global companies and applies those insights to Korean enterprises. I will grow into a professional who seeks ways to revive and develop struggling companies.
