How did my efforts and learning in high school influence my career path?

In this blog post, I will summarize my academic efforts, school activities, examples of kindness and generosity, and career preparation process during my time in high school.

 

Academic Experiences and Reflections

While studying science subjects, I initially believed that “mastering question types was enough.” In my freshman year, I focused solely on question types, but when I realized my grades weren’t improving, I changed my approach. I eventually came to understand that even when new types of math or science problems appeared, I could only solve them if I had a solid grasp of the underlying theories and formulas.
So, I adopted a study method that prioritized the fundamentals and developed the habit of reviewing them regularly. I used my vacation time to organize the theory for my language, math, English, and science subjects, and based on those notes, I memorized and reviewed one chapter every morning. I would first review the organized material to separate what I had already memorized from what I hadn’t, then cover the text myself to memorize it again, identifying only the parts I hadn’t retained and reorganizing them.
Since time becomes scarce once the semester starts, I used every spare moment—recess, lunch breaks, and evenings—to catch up. In particular, during the evenings, I focused exclusively on memorizing the weak spots that remained from that day’s material, ensuring I could recall them perfectly. This morning and evening routine solidified what I had memorized, and even the parts I initially struggled with gradually became familiar, allowing me to memorize them perfectly later on.
Through this method, I learned that “memorization” is not a one-time task but a process of gradually becoming familiar with the material. I realized firsthand that consistently exposing myself to the material and reviewing it is ultimately more efficient, and I came to believe that study habits that build a solid foundation lead to high scores.

 

Write about major school activities and reflections

My reason for joining the advertising club was rather simple. Believing myself to be resourceful, I expected to be able to showcase creative ideas, but through my club activities, I realized that my critical thinking and expressive skills were lacking compared to my peers. The advertising club was full of students who had read extensively since childhood and loved writing, and through conversations with them, I clearly recognized my weaknesses.
At first, I was very flustered when I received writing assignments, but I decided not to give up easily. Unlike my friends who were skilled at creative writing, I decided I needed to compensate by focusing on quantity, so I approached the assignments by writing several pages on a single topic. At the same time, I tried to improve my critical thinking and expressive skills by reading a little every day, and through that process, I gradually felt the pressure of writing lessen and my perspective broaden.
Another reason I joined the advertising club was connected to my career aspirations of becoming a programmer. I could have simply thought that knowing programming languages well was enough, but I decided that I needed a broader perspective and creativity to work on a larger stage. So, to cultivate my creativity, I participated more actively in the club, setting a goal to be the person who tried the hardest, even if I wasn’t the best.
The most challenging experience during my club activities was promoting the festival and securing sponsors. Visiting stores in person to request funding for printing promotional flyers or seeking sponsorships required a great deal of courage and initiative from someone as introverted as me. Although I was very hesitant at first, my passion for the club drove me to grit my teeth and take on the challenge. As I repeated the process, the pressure lessened, and I actually began to enjoy it. The hands-on experience I gained was instrumental in developing my interpersonal skills, persuasiveness, and practical sense.

 

Writing About Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections

There was a classmate in my class who had difficulty walking. Due to polio, one of his legs was shorter and weaker, making it very difficult for him to get to and from school, and the steep hill at our school was particularly challenging. He would arrive early to avoid being late and was very conscious of avoiding the stares of others. Once I learned of his situation, I naturally decided I had to help.
At first, he refused, saying he didn’t want to be a burden, but during the rainy season, he needed someone to hold an umbrella for him and a companion to help him avoid slipping. I personally persuaded him that I would be his umbrella and support, and after visiting his home to convince him, we ended up climbing the hill together every day. Before I knew it, I had been helping him for nearly three years.
Through this long-term support, he let go of his initial wariness and opened up to me, and in return for carrying his bag, I received the gift of his stories and his heart. Listening to and empathizing with his life made me reflect on the foolish and narrow-minded views I had held until then. The experience of sharing our lives and forming a deep bond was a great joy, and it taught me the importance of always approaching others with respect.

 

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans

My career goal is to become a programmer. My study methods and club activities during high school helped me develop broader competencies beyond simply acquiring technical skills. My habit of repeatedly mastering fundamental theories laid the groundwork for problem-solving, while my writing and reading efforts in the advertising club contributed to developing my creativity and expressive skills.
Additionally, my experience assembling and working with machines helped me understand both hardware and software, and my experience in securing sponsors and conducting face-to-face negotiations fostered my communication skills and spirit of challenge. Moving forward, I aim to grow into a developer who possesses both technical skills and creativity through diligent study of fundamental theories, extensive reading and writing, and hands-on experience with real-world projects and people.
All of these experiences have gone beyond mere academic achievement to influence my attitude toward problem-solving and my approach to interacting with others. I will continue to steadily build a strong foundation, embrace new challenges, and prepare for my career with a spirit of cooperation and consideration.

 

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