In this blog post, I’ll summarize what I learned by focusing on the study methods and school activities I practiced during high school, as well as my experiences with empathy and collaboration.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
I’ve never been very good at maintaining my concentration for long periods. While my short-term memory was decent, I found it difficult to study for extended periods at a time, and my parents were very concerned about this. Since everyone said that consistent, dedicated study was necessary for college admission, I struggled a lot with how to approach it.
After much deliberation, I found a study method that worked for me: breaking my study sessions into 30-minute intervals. While most people plan in one- or two-hour blocks, I found it difficult to maintain focus for such long periods. So, I shortened my study sessions to 30 minutes and made a schedule, committing to covering the assigned material within that time.
Specifically, I tried to cover Korean, English, Math, and Social Studies evenly each day, and when studying a single subject, I further broke down the 30 minutes into memorization, problem-solving, and reviewing mistakes. This approach allowed me to move on to the next subject immediately after finishing one, which reduced boredom and increased my study efficiency.
I also recognized the importance of managing my physical condition, so I maintained a regular sleep schedule. Since lack of sleep further reduces concentration, I planned to sleep at least six hours a day and tried to maintain a daily routine aligned with my natural circadian rhythm. I came to realize firsthand that even small habits can have a significant impact on concentration.
At first, there was a lot of trial and error. It took time to figure out how to make the most of the short 30-minute study sessions, and I sometimes felt frustrated when things didn’t go according to plan. However, my interest in and immersion in my studies gradually increased, and as a result, my grades began to improve.
Through this experience, I gained the confidence to accept my weaknesses as they are while developing strategies to overcome them. Rather than blaming my short attention span, I sought ways to turn it into a strength, which improved both the consistency and efficiency of my studying.
Write about major school activities and your reflections
During high school, I engaged in meaningful activities with friends to promote our school to the outside world. As our school was newly established, it had a relatively free-spirited atmosphere, and students had fostered a culture of autonomy, such as choosing the materials for our school uniforms and gym clothes themselves. Building on that sense of pride, we formed a promotional club to introduce our school.
Our first step was to set up social media accounts on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. We aimed to convey the school’s atmosphere and strengths through images and text, and we paid close attention to visual consistency and message coherence, going beyond simply sharing news. Rather than posting haphazardly, we strove to design an overall tone and image and operate the page like a brand.
At first, we thought we could post casually, as if managing personal accounts, but considering that this content would be publicly visible, we established a review process with the school administration and produced posts and images with a greater sense of responsibility. We worked with the belief that creating stories people could relate to and visually appealing content was essential.
I also refined our operational direction by benchmarking other examples. I analyzed not only how other schools manage their social media but also the strategies of popular Facebook pages and Instagram accounts that are currently gaining attention, to identify what elements capture people’s interest. Through this process, I developed a sense for media design and learned how to elicit empathy.
Through my club activities, I not only mastered the technical skills of creating promotional materials but also developed an attitude of organized thinking and collaboration. By experiencing the entire process—from planning and filming to editing and posting—I realized how even a small decision can affect the overall image, and that experience gave me confidence in my decision to major in design.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
As I walked around the school grounds taking photos, I noticed not only attractive spots I wanted to showcase to the outside world but also areas in need of repair. Whenever I discovered safety hazards—such as damaged flower beds, loose sidewalk blocks, or broken steps—I found it hard to just walk by. I realized that neglecting these risks could lead to bigger problems.
At first, I worried that reporting these issues to the administrative office or security desk might be a bother. I wondered if it would seem like I was creating more work for them or causing them unnecessary trouble. However, when I spoke up directly, the staff members were actually pleased and told me, “You’ve made our job easier by pointing out things we didn’t know about.”
Hearing that, I realized the value of taking the initiative. I learned that instead of putting things off, assuming “someone else will handle it,” I need to take the initiative myself to resolve even small problems. That experience boosted my confidence and helped me develop the habit of looking out for others with a sense of responsibility.
Of course, being so proactive also had its uncomfortable moments. I was late for class because I was taking photos, and the teachers’ praise sometimes sparked jealousy in others. However, by not letting those reactions sway me and continuing to try, I confirmed that my actions were beneficial to both myself and the school, and I actually gained opportunities to collaborate with even more people.
Through this process, I learned that consideration and sharing are meaningful only when they lead to concrete actions, not just emotional gestures. I came to believe that small acts of noticing, informing, and helping others come together to create a safer and warmer community, and I resolved to continue being that kind of person.
