In this blog post, I will summarize my academic experiences and school activities during high school, examples of consideration and cooperation, as well as my motivation for applying and my preparations for my future career.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
Let’s take it one step at a time — The biggest obstacle and lesson I learned during high school was “impatience.” With so much studying to do and exams approaching, I kept procrastinating until the workload piled up like a mountain, making me so anxious my hands would shake. Even when I invested a lot of time without any strategy, my grades didn’t improve easily, and this led me into a vicious cycle where I became even more impatient.
However, I realized that regretting the past wouldn’t change anything, so I decided to focus on “how to spend this very moment.” Starting in my sophomore year, I established the practical principle of “taking it one step at a time” and began to follow it. The catalyst for this resolution was a diary from Tolstoy’s childhood that I happened to read. In that diary, there was a record of how he, too, felt frustrated because he couldn’t complete everything he planned each day, but eventually resolved to accomplish at least one thing a day.
Reading that passage, I vowed to “stick to it, even if it’s just one thing a day, like Tolstoy,” and I changed my specific study methods as well. After making a plan, I made sure to carry out at least one task, and I managed my concentration by immersing myself completely in a single subject at a time. For example, when studying math, I devoted myself solely to math and put off worrying about other subjects, clearly defining my focus.
Furthermore, instead of feeling jealous or comparing myself to my friends’ achievements, I tried to focus only on the steps and goals I needed to achieve at that moment. By focusing solely on the plan right in front of me, I felt much more at ease, and since I wasn’t studying as if I were being chased, I was actually able to immerse myself more deeply.
Through this experience, I learned that maintaining composure is crucial, no matter what I’m studying or doing. I also realized that everyone has their own learning style, and efficiency increases when you make and follow a plan that suits you. I believe this attitude will continue to help me in my future studies and life.
Major Extracurricular Activities and Reflections
Finding Solace in the Walking Club — During high school, I lacked time for exercise, so I joined the walking club to create a more balanced lifestyle. The club mainly involved walking around the school grounds, taking photos, and appreciating the scenery. There were only two rules to follow during our activities: returning to the starting point by the end time and remaining silent while walking. These simple rules clarified the purpose of the walks, and through them, I learned the joy of contemplation and how to discover the beauty in my surroundings.
In particular, while walking, I began to notice things that I would normally overlook. Seeing the street cleaners working to keep the city clean made me reflect on the hidden efforts required to maintain a city, and I realized the importance of caring for my surroundings, my school, and ultimately, myself. Through these walks, I gained time for reflection and made various plans, which led to emotional and mental healing that went beyond simple exercise.
Donating Recyclables — As class president, I planned a recycling donation activity with my classmates to make our field trip more meaningful. Since our class usually had a good atmosphere, I suggested that we use the field trip to strengthen our bonds while doing something helpful for society, and my friends readily agreed. We organized the field trip so that everyone would bring clothes or items from home to donate to those in need, and as a result, it became a meaningful time where everyone felt the reward of volunteering.
Through the process of preparing and executing this activity, I was able to develop my planning skills and the ability to coordinate among team members. The experience of setting a common goal and collaborating to achieve results—going beyond a simple field trip—was a great help in cultivating leadership and a sense of responsibility. I still remember the sense of fulfillment I felt when my friends told me, “Thank you for planning such a good cause.”
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Cultivating a Spirit of Service by Cleaning Up the Unseen — One thing I consistently did for my class and my friends was “tidying up my surroundings.” When I ran for vice-class president in first grade, my campaign promise was “to make our classroom clean,” and after being elected, I frequently cleaned the area to keep that promise. Once cleaning became a habit, it felt natural to look for messy spots and sweep and wipe them down during every break in second grade as well.
Watering the plants by the window, wiping the dust off the blackboard, tidying up under the teacher’s desk, and cleaning the teacher’s podium were all part of my responsibilities. Though these were small acts of service that went unnoticed, I felt great joy knowing that my little actions made the classroom environment more pleasant. Seeing my teacher and classmates feel more at ease was reward enough.
Through this experience, I learned that acting for others is meaningful and enjoyable in itself, even if no one notices. I realized that even small gestures—not necessarily large-scale volunteer work—can bring joy to someone, and I felt that these small acts, when combined, create a better community.
Furthermore, I experienced how organizing a space brought order to my own mind as well. Although I worked alone, I found personal satisfaction in the process, and this attitude naturally carried over into collaborative situations requiring cooperation and consideration, helping me maintain positive relationships with those around me.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I want to be someone who contributes to society by working behind the scenes — Rather than pursuing a high-profile career, I aspire to develop technologies that provide tangible benefits to society. Since childhood, I have had a strong interest in scientific inquiry, which naturally led me to develop an interest in the fields of life sciences, chemistry, and engineering. While I have not yet decided on a specific technology to develop, I wish to work on creating new technologies and materials by learning and applying core technologies in the fields of chemistry, biology, and biotechnology, where I excel.
I believe that research and technological development focused on the environment are particularly important at a time when environmental issues have become increasingly critical. After entering university, I plan to study my major diligently while reading a wide variety of books to cultivate a broad perspective. Even as a science major, I do not intend to limit myself to experiments and formulaic research; instead, I plan to incorporate humanities and social science perspectives to develop comprehensive problem-solving skills.
I will actively seek opportunities to conduct experiments and apply technologies based on the theories I have learned. Through research activities outside of school, internships, and laboratory experience, I aim to grow into a professional equipped with practical experimental skills and problem-solving abilities. I believe that the process of developing my ideas through external activities and applying them in practice will greatly contribute to enhancing my capabilities.
Furthermore, my goal is to grow into an expert by gaining a well-rounded education in the fields of environmental science, biology, chemistry, and biotechnology. To become someone capable of communicating on an international level, I will also cultivate a global mindset and improve my English proficiency. My ultimate career plan is to develop into a hands-on professional equipped with academic knowledge, experimental skills, and global competence, and to develop technologies that contribute to society and nature.
