In this blog post, I will summarize my academic efforts and school activities during high school, my experiences with consideration and cooperation, and my plans for my future in college.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
Mastering memorization by utilizing break times and spare moments after class
My biggest challenge in studying was “memorization.” No matter how hard I studied, I kept forgetting things, and this happened especially often with foreign languages and language-related subjects. Unlike memorization for subjects like social studies, where I could recall information by connecting ideas, I had to memorize Korean idioms and English vocabulary and idioms without any context, which made it much harder. When I couldn’t remember something I was sure I had memorized, I felt both embarrassed and frustrated.
As time went on, I became increasingly worried about the reality that I had less and less free time to devote to memorization. Then, by chance, I was paired with a friend who was a top student, and I had the opportunity to observe his memorization habits. It wasn’t so much a special secret as it was that he would open his flashcards whenever he had a spare moment, and even when he wasn’t actively memorizing, he would just keep them open and look at them. By repeatedly looking at them so naturally, the information had somehow stuck in his mind, and he remembered a lot without having to spend much extra time on it.
After seeing this, I started keeping my flashcards close by whenever I had a spare moment. I used every possible gap—commuting to and from school, break times, lunch breaks, short breaks during class, or self-study periods. Surprisingly, I didn’t need to set aside specific time for memorization; instead, I naturally memorized the daily quota. I used the remaining time to solve problems, which improved my study efficiency. I felt that the information stuck with me more deeply than when I was memorizing with intense focus, and from then on, I managed my time more strictly and developed the habit of studying in small increments.
Writing about major school activities and reflections
Discovering the Beauty of English and American Literature Through the Club
The English and American Literature Club was a space that provided me with new inspiration. I originally read mostly Korean novels but joined the club because I wanted to experience other types of literature; I gained far more than I had anticipated, even beyond the initial appeal of receiving free books. Above all, English and American literature revealed not just foreign stories, but entirely different atmospheres, landscapes, and imaginations. Whenever I encountered descriptions of horizons, unique animals, or alien environments—things difficult to experience through Korea’s mountains and seas—I felt the joy of traveling to a new world, and it became a breath of fresh air in my stifling daily life.
Additionally, the club was filled with friends who loved literature even more than I did, and I enjoyed the time spent reading books competitively and discussing them with them to develop my own thoughts. Listening to different perspectives helped me discover aspects I would have missed on my own, and we were able to share diverse interpretations and reflections that went beyond simple comprehension. Such exchanges were a valuable experience that broadened my thinking.
Countless stories that begin with curiosity and end with emotion
Every year, the club produced a video based on a British or American novel and held a presentation. Since everything—from production and directing to acting—was handled entirely within the club, the preparation process was grueling and difficult, but the positive response and high satisfaction during the screenings made it deeply rewarding. In my freshman year, I wrote the screenplay, using *The Stranger* as a motif to portray the psychology of a high school student who had just transferred to a new school. In my sophomore year, I oversaw the entire production, taking charge of the wrap-up and operations.
Video production required a great deal of effort, and at times, I even took on part-time jobs to cover filming costs. Nevertheless, the experience of seeing the story from my imagination unfold on screen was incredibly enjoyable, and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction in crafting an intriguing opening and a moving conclusion. This experience led me to delve deeper into English and American literature and solidified my interest in both literature and film.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Building Confidence by Assisting the Class President
When I was serving as vice-class president, I witnessed a situation where the class president was being ostracized. Although that student tried to fulfill the role of class president diligently, their enthusiasm led to misunderstandings; to other students, it felt like a form of discipline, and because of the way they spoke to the teacher, they were sometimes perceived as a “tattletale.” Gradually, communication between the class and the president broke down, leading to a situation where classmates stopped following the president’s instructions.
As vice-president, I felt a sense of responsibility and took action to support the president and help build their confidence. First, I stayed by the president’s side, explaining why the situation had escalated and trying to help them understand. I carefully informed the teacher of the current situation and suggested that the class president be a bit more cautious with his remarks. At the same time, I tried to convince my classmates that the class president’s true intentions had not been conveyed in that manner, and I created an environment to give him another opportunity to speak.
As a result, the misunderstanding was gradually resolved, and the class regained its harmonious atmosphere. Through this experience, I learned that even sincere intentions can be misinterpreted and that such misunderstandings must be resolved through dialogue. I learned that misunderstandings born of words must be resolved through words, and I realized the importance of considering the other person’s perspective before speaking. Since then, whenever a misunderstanding arises, I have made it a point to communicate honestly with those around me without hesitation, and I strive to be even more careful with my words.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I majored in languages and literature and aspire to become a content specialist
The Department of English Language and Literature is a program that combines the study of language and literature. My goal is to master both English and English literature at the Department of Languages and Literature at Samyuk University and ultimately become a content specialist. After learning about the profession of a content specialist, I became convinced that—at a time when Korean dramas and films are gaining global recognition—the work of connecting Korea with the world—specifically, promoting Korean works and importing and revitalizing quality content from abroad—is exactly what I want to do.
Once I enter university, I intend to first learn not only English but also various other languages to develop the ability to communicate and adapt in any environment. In particular, I believe English is essential for accessing international information and understanding original texts. Building on my language skills, I will study the history and current trends of Anglo-American literature to develop the expertise needed to handle international content.
Through my study of literature, I aim to expand my interest to include Asian literature—such as that of Korea, Japan, and China—while honing my understanding of narrative structure and storytelling. Ultimately, I aspire to grow into a content specialist with a global perspective, serving as a bridge to introduce excellent Korean works to the world while simultaneously promoting global works within Korea.