In this blog post, I will summarize my academic experiences and school activities during high school, my efforts to practice kindness and generosity, and the career plan I developed based on these experiences.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
From a young age, I attended many private tutoring sessions and cram schools because I lacked a firm study routine of my own. I often chose my study methods based on others’ standards—following what those around me were doing, going because my friends were attending, or simply because it was recommended. Even though I kept up with these activities, my grades didn’t consistently improve, and even when they did, the gains weren’t sustained, which led me to reflect deeply.
As a result, I concluded that I needed to find “my own study method” for high school. Although I felt a sense of regret for the time already lost, I believed that the time ahead was more important, so I decided to study based on my own standards and methods throughout high school, rather than relying on others’ approaches.
First, to identify my weaknesses, I began my analysis using my first exam paper from my freshman year of high school. I collected all the questions I had answered incorrectly and extracted the relevant course content. Through this process, I gained a clear understanding of exactly what knowledge or critical thinking skills I was lacking.
Based on that analysis, I developed study strategies for each subject by distinguishing between what required memorization and what required understanding. Analyzing exam questions was a crucial process for anticipating future trends in test questions and addressing my weaknesses. Additionally, by understanding the style of the exam questions, I learned what kind of study approach would be most effective.
Instead of blindly following what others were doing, I identified and implemented the study methods that worked for me and addressed my specific needs. As a result, my grades began to rise gradually, and this improvement has been sustained. Watching my grade graph climb step by step confirmed that changing my study approach led to tangible results.
Through this process, I realized that “studying for myself” and “making choices for myself” ultimately have a positive impact on my future. I came to truly understand how important it is to set my own standards and execute my plans, and this had a significant impact not only on my future studies but also on my attitude toward preparing for my career.
Write about major school activities and reflections
The mentoring program was one of the most meaningful activities I participated in. Since I enjoy meeting people, talking with them, and building rapport, I took part in every mentoring opportunity I could. Hearing practical advice from upperclassmen about college admissions, study tips, and university life was extremely helpful, and I shared the study methods and mental management techniques I had mastered with underclassmen, creating an experience where we all grew together.
Through career-oriented mentoring, I attended lectures on counseling psychology and deeply realized the importance of humanistic and philosophical reflection necessary for counseling and psychology. After the lectures, I met a variety of people and engaged in experiential activities, practicing how to listen and speak with sincerity. Through this process, I was able to build foundational counseling skills in practice.
In this way, mentoring allowed me to recognize the value of my ability to listen attentively and empathize with others, and that experience played a decisive role in my career decision. As a result, I became even more confident in my decision to major in counseling and psychology.
The philosophy discussion group was an activity I led myself. Although I enjoyed reading philosophy and humanities books on my own, I felt that thinking alone was insufficient to broaden my perspective, so I organized a weekly discussion group. With the teacher’s permission, I promoted the group through the hallways, the school website, and social media, and rented a classroom to hold the meetings.
The meetings were conducted in a free-form format. Sometimes we read the same book and discussed it, and other times we selected a specific topic for in-depth discussion. Seeing how people could have completely different interpretations and perspectives on the same text or keyword taught me that my own thoughts are not absolute.
Through these philosophy discussions, I learned firsthand that an attitude of acknowledging diverse values is the way to understand and respect others. I also came to deeply realize that counseling should not be merely a healing conversation, but must be conducted responsibly based on philosophical insight and psychological understanding.
I continue to participate in this group regularly, and I plan to continue activities that put philosophical and humanistic values into practice at the university as well.
Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Volunteer educational activities for children from multicultural families were the most meaningful experiences of compassion and sharing for me. Although I initially participated as part of an on-campus volunteer program, meeting the children consistently allowed me to build counseling and educational skills that went beyond simple volunteering.
Spending time with the children, I actually found myself receiving psychological comfort and healing. Facing the children’s pure emotions and honesty made me reflect on the feelings I had suppressed, and as a result, I felt even more gratitude and affection toward them. I realized that volunteering is not about one-sided giving, but rather that mutual sharing and cooperation are at its core.
Counseling the children on their concerns required a more delicate approach than peer counseling. I had to make a greater effort to think from the children’s perspective and understand their expressions, and since children tend to quickly sense insincere attitudes, I always tried to approach them with genuine sincerity. When counseling, I would first look into the child’s eyes and strive to empathize with them from their perspective, adopting the mindset of “becoming the child.”
As a result, the children would come to me first whenever they had concerns, and through counseling them, I was able to gradually develop my abilities in empathy, understanding, and communication. These experiences were not merely activities to fulfill volunteer hours; they were valuable opportunities that laid the foundation for my practical counseling skills.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
Participating in mentoring programs, leading philosophy discussion groups, and volunteering with multicultural families were all activities directly linked to my decision to pursue a degree in Philosophy and Counseling and my preparation for it. Through mentoring, I gained practical insight into counseling, and in career exploration lectures, I confirmed the importance of philosophical thinking necessary for counseling and psychology.
The philosophy discussion group was a great help in broadening my perspective and cultivating an attitude of accepting diverse values, which I believe are essential qualities for a counselor. Through volunteer work, I practiced my ability to communicate and empathize with people in real-world situations, thereby gaining counseling experience.
Moving forward in college, I will strive to become a responsible counselor by building a balanced foundation of philosophical thinking and psychological knowledge. Specifically, I plan to diligently attend relevant courses, consistently seek out and participate in mentoring and counseling practicum opportunities both on and off campus, and engage in ongoing philosophical and humanities discussions to deepen my understanding of humanity and society.
These efforts go beyond simply choosing a major; they are a process of laying the foundation for the professionalism and character I aspire to. My ultimate goal is to become a counselor who listens to people’s stories with sincerity and empathy, and who combines philosophical reflection with psychological understanding to provide meaningful support.
