In this blog post, I will summarize my academic efforts and learning experiences during high school, the school activities I participated in meaningfully, my experiences with consideration and cooperation, as well as my motivation for applying and my career plans.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
The typical routine of going to school early in the morning for classes and staying late into the evening to study did not suit me. Having been a track and field athlete when I was younger, I had developed an active lifestyle, so sitting still and studying for long periods felt difficult. After serious discussions with my family, I decided not to participate in the evening self-study sessions, and my parents trusted my judgment and gave their permission. In the end, that choice proved to be the right one, and my parents supported my decision.
Coming home and studying in my room—memorizing aloud and walking around while solving problems—actually suited me better. By reciting out loud and moving my body while memorizing, I could memorize more material faster than when I was sitting still. Once I had firmly memorized the basic concepts, my mistakes decreased when solving problems, and when reviewing my wrong answers, explaining them aloud as if to someone else helped me understand them much more quickly and accurately. When I got stuck while solving problems, explaining the issue out loud helped me identify my weak points and avoid wasting mental energy on unnecessary thoughts.
Above all, studying in a way that suited me made the process itself more enjoyable. Since I actually enjoyed learning—I just disliked sitting quietly—I looked forward to class and listening to the teacher. Bringing what I learned home and reviewing it by explaining it energetically further improved my retention. Through this experience, I gained the confidence that no matter what I study in the future, I can succeed if I persist in my own way.
Write about major school activities and reflections
I joined the choir because I knew how to play an accompaniment. I happened to see a notice stating that volunteer hours would be recognized, so I took the accompanist exam, passed, and joined the choir. Once I started participating, I found that singing in the choir was even more enjoyable than I had expected. Meeting a diverse group of friends, sharing our stories, and discussing why we love singing and our future aspirations deepened my understanding of people. In particular, the active exchanges between local choir groups provided many opportunities to meet students from other schools and exchange ideas, which was a refreshing experience.
Above all, choir activities gave me the chance to test my leadership skills and grow. As I participated with passion, my teammates came to trust and follow me, so in my sophomore year, I stepped down from my role as accompanist to take on the position of club president. Leading a group of about 50 members—nearly 60 when including prospective members—I had to manage various conflicts, such as coordinating everyone’s opinions, addressing grievances, and facilitating discussions during the song selection process. Although it was sometimes frustrating and difficult, I was able to gradually learn the meaning of leadership through my failures and mistakes.
Through my choir activities, I also discovered my strengths. I felt that my meticulousness and outgoing personality were great assets in my leadership role. I managed the budget so meticulously that I balanced income and expenses down to the last 5 won when collecting dues, and I organized and disclosed expenditure records to the members to ensure transparency in budget execution. Because of this, my friends sometimes called me the “King of Meticulousness.” At the same time, thanks to my outgoing personality—which allowed me to easily approach and adapt to new people—I had no trouble meeting and communicating with a diverse range of individuals. I believe these traits will serve as strengths in the field I plan to pursue in the future.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Having grown up in a relatively free and democratic atmosphere at home, I had no qualms about speaking my mind and communicating openly. However, at school, there were many classmates who kept their thoughts to themselves rather than voicing them. So, during my sophomore year of high school, even while busy as the choir club president, I also served as vice-class president and often conveyed the opinions that my classmates were unable to express on their own.
I carefully acted as a mediator between teachers and students, helping to stabilize the class atmosphere. When I conveyed the students’ requests and difficulties politely and clearly, the teachers paid closer attention to our needs. As a result, our class was able to navigate school life with mutual respect and without major conflicts. Through this experience, I deeply realized the importance of words.
I also frequently observed in my choir activities that the way one communicates with others can change the quality of a relationship. I learned that, just as the proverb says, “A single word is worth a thousand pieces of silver,” the way you express the same message can change the other person’s reaction. For example, instead of a blunt command like “Hey, pick up some trash,” saying something gentle and appreciative like “I’d really appreciate it if you could pick up the trash” makes communication much smoother. Since realizing this, I have made an effort to speak more carefully and kindly, and as a result, I have made many friends.
I intend to continue valuing people and never forget how to convey warmth in my relationships. I believe that people are a great asset, and that caring for and showing consideration toward that asset is the path to building a healthy community.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I aspire to become a professional in the financial industry. Some people suggest that it might be better to choose a broad major, such as business administration or economics, rather than settling on a specific career path from the start. However, I enjoy communicating with people, and I believe my personality—which combines meticulousness with a keen sense of economics—is well-suited to the finance and insurance sector. After much deliberation, I have set the goal of becoming a specialist in the finance and insurance sector, and I intend to prepare steadily toward that goal.
Specifically, I plan to fully commit to my major courses and steadily build my skills through each class and assignment. To develop not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills, I intend to witness and experience various aspects of society firsthand through volunteer work. I believe there is nothing better than on-the-ground experience to understand the meaning, risks, and value of money. I expect that interacting with people and social structures through volunteer work will broaden my perspective on finance.
Additionally, to cover tuition and achieve financial independence, I plan to actively utilize scholarship programs and work part-time jobs to cover necessary expenses. I believe that supporting myself and experiencing the value of money firsthand will serve as a strong foundation for my growth as a financial expert. I aim to be someone who takes initiative based on my coursework, learning and growing through self-directed efforts.
In conclusion, building on the interpersonal skills, communication abilities, and meticulous nature I have cultivated through my studies and extracurricular activities, I will grow into a professional with expertise in the finance and insurance sector. I aspire to become someone who can apply the knowledge and experience gained in college to practical work, thereby contributing to society with a broader perspective.
