This blog post focuses on what a student aspiring to be a nutritionist should emphasize in their academic plan to persuade evaluators, specifically examining diet management experience and methods for linking it to their career path.
Writing about academic experiences and reflections
“Grades that never exceeded average”
I wasn’t a poor student, but I consistently achieved only average grades, making me a rather unremarkable student. My parents weren’t the type to pressure me about grades either, so I suppose I lived content with just average performance. Then, during a college counseling session with my teacher, they said, ‘Having no ambition for your grades is fine, but having no dream is not a good choice.’ They suggested that my lack of ambition to improve beyond average grades might stem from a lack of dreams. Hearing that made me think deeply. I considered what I could do well and what dreams I truly wanted to pursue. That’s when the goal of studying Food and Nutrition emerged, and I realized improving my grades was absolutely necessary to achieve it.
Once I had a goal, my passion for studying grew. To raise my grades beyond the average, I increased my study time and focused more intently during class. I concentrated especially on the textbook and what the teacher said in class, rather than other workbooks. I believed that to polish my grades, the teacher’s lessons and the textbook content were paramount, and I put this into practice. I also doubled my study time. At first, I struggled to concentrate, but I stuck to my desk with the mindset that I should at least sit in my chair whether I studied or not. This naturally helped me build my focus. After setting my goal, I found enjoyment in studying and made sure not to miss any key elements for my grades. As a result, my grades improved significantly and I was able to maintain them. I learned that studying requires a purpose, and that purpose is the driving force that keeps you studying consistently. Even after entering university, I will strive to be someone who studies with a goal in mind and challenges myself to achieve my dreams.
Writing about major school activities and reflections
“Creating Original Dishes”
I joined and have been active in a club within my school that creates original dishes. It wasn’t just a club about making food; it was about creating new flavors using novel ingredients or unique combinations. Naturally, it attracted friends who were exceptionally skilled at cooking and had outstanding knowledge about taste, so we learned a lot from each other. Since I’ve always loved making food and sharing it with my parents and friends since I was young, I was able to continue my club activities with passion. Especially during the school festival, our club sold original dishes we created. The concept was to offer new foods at affordable prices. Since we were selling food for money, we couldn’t just slap something together. We researched original dishes starting at the beginning of the semester and held a vote before the festival to only offer the tastiest creations. I remember working hard on my research from the start of the semester because I wanted to present the dish I developed at the festival. The original dish I created through repeated research was watermelon rind som tam. Som tam is a Thai salad offering a spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavor profile all at once. It’s usually made with green papaya, but since that was hard to find, I used watermelon rind instead for its similar texture and taste. Watermelon rind is actually an ‘edible’ ingredient that can be pickled. Though often discarded, it can be reborn as delicious food when used properly. So I made som tam with watermelon rind. Its unique ingredient and the fact it’s simple to make yet tasty were key strengths, leading to its presentation at the festival.
The novelty of using the unfamiliar ingredient watermelon rind garnered positive reactions from friends, and many were captivated by the som tam’s flavor, which condensed a variety of tastes. Ultimately, we sold out all the prepared ingredients and generated significant profits.
“The Key Figure in Creating a Well-United Class”
I’ve always been recognized among my classmates as the mood-maker and the key figure in creating a ‘well-united class’. My class was always known as the most united and cohesive in the grade. While having good friends helped, I believe I was able to foster this unity because I personally enjoy group activities, am proactive in group endeavors, and am someone my friends trust and look to for leadership. A particularly effective atmosphere for fostering unity is created when pursuing a ‘goal.’ Setting goals like preparing for and winning a specific event at the sports festival, aiming to be the class with the best classroom attitude, or striving to stand out at events big and small always led to greater unity. Therefore, whenever there was an opportunity to benefit the class, I gathered friends and proposed, “Let’s try this! Let’s try that!” And when friends gathered to do something, I acted as a mood-maker, creating a joyful atmosphere, which allowed me to lead an even more enjoyable class life.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation and My Reflections
“Helping My Friends with Their Diets”
Among my friends, there was a chubby friend who loved snacking and carbohydrates. Seeing this friend stressed out because their diet wasn’t improving despite lacking confidence in their body made me feel sorry for them, so I decided to help manage their diet. I had previously lost about 10kg through dieting. I lost weight over a year by carefully managing my diet and exercising, ensuring it didn’t interfere with my studies. I shared that know-how with my friend. First, I suggested she write down everything she ate each day without hiding anything, keeping a food diary for a week. After reviewing her week’s food diary, I suggested she aim for a balanced intake of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, and shared the meal plan I had followed before. My friend started losing weight gradually by sticking to the meal plan I gave her. Additionally, since she lacked time for separate workouts due to her studies, we both made up for it by walking and taking strolls during our commute to and from school and during breaks. Commuting required a 10-minute bus ride, but we’d leave early and walk over 30 minutes each way to substitute for exercise. At first, my friend struggled with the diet, feeling stressed and frustrated, even snapping at me. She told me several times she wanted to give up. However, I fully understood and empathized with those feelings. Having also thought about giving up many times during my own past diet attempts, I believe I was able to guide my friend a little better. By encouraging and guiding her with phrases like, “Let’s just try one more day,” or “Let’s just try one more week,” she gradually developed the habit of taking walks and managing her diet. She moved away from snacking and carbohydrate-heavy meals, ultimately gaining healthy stamina.
Of course, she lost a significant amount of weight. In this way, I believe I was able to practice sharing by helping my friend overcome her complex together, showing consideration, sharing her concerns, and empathizing with her.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
“I want to become a nutritionist who guides people toward healthy lives.”
I aspire to become a nutritionist and plan to apply to a Food and Nutrition Department. During a previous 10kg weight loss journey, I realized the importance of nutrition through dietary management. I believe a healthy life is achieved when the nutrients that compose the human body are properly absorbed. Disease often arises from insufficient nutrients, and unhealthy lifestyles frequently lead to stress. However, by consuming food properly and maintaining a healthy diet, we can sufficiently prevent ailments and diseases, reduce stress, and lead a healthy life. I believe healthy eating habits are a key value in leading a healthy life, which is why I find the profession of nutritionist so meaningful. I believe that through the profession of nutritionist, helping modern people eat healthily, even if just one meal a day, can be a way to contribute to society. To become a nutritionist, I will diligently take major courses in the Department of Food and Nutrition and study hard to absorb as much nutritional knowledge as possible.
Furthermore, during my time at school, I want to share my diet know-how and provide dietary management services. I aim to counsel people struggling with dieting or meal planning, and if needed, directly manage their diets. This will allow me to utilize my major knowledge in nutrition and gain indirect experience related to being a nutritionist through practice. Furthermore, I will actively participate in various department programs at your university, including the Food and Nutrition Department’s field training program, nutritionist field internships, group cafeteria observation training, and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Children’s Health Camp. This will allow me to gain sufficient experience for my path as a nutritionist. Additionally, through department clubs and social welfare activities, I will diligently prepare to become a contributing member of society. I will actively communicate with many people and strive to become a valuable asset to your university.
