In this blog post, I’ll summarize and share the study habits I developed during high school, my participation in school activities, my experiences with empathy and collaboration, and my plans for college and my future career.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

The principle of “solving problems three times, organizing my notes, and memorizing them” is at the core of the study method I actually applied during my high school years. When I graduated from middle school, a teacher wrote me the phrase, “Studying is a habit,” which resonated deeply with me, but I failed to put it into practice until early in high school. Relying on my confidence that I was naturally smart, I didn’t develop the habit of studying consistently every day, and eventually, when I faced the reality that my grades weren’t improving easily, I was reminded of that phrase once again.
During a winter break when I was frustrated with my grades, I happened to come across my teacher’s note again while tidying up my room, and it dawned on me. I realized that instead of studying a little bit every day to build up my knowledge, I had been cramming everything at once. So I decided to change my study approach and devised a concrete plan: “Solve problems three times” and “Memorize three times.”
Given my personality, repeatedly solving problems suited me better than sitting in one place for a long time to organize notes or memorize facts. Continuously working through problems helped me maintain focus and kept me engaged in my studies. However, I recognized the risk of overlooking key concepts if I focused solely on problem-solving, so I supplemented my approach by solving three sets of problems of the same type and, based on the solutions I derived during that process, meticulously organizing and memorizing any formulas or concepts I had previously found confusing.
This method proved effective in many ways. By repeatedly solving problems I frequently got wrong, I was able to clearly identify my weaknesses in specific question types, and by organizing my work processes, I was able to fill in the gaps in my understanding of concepts I had previously overlooked. Through repeated practice, I naturally memorized the formulas I often got wrong, and ultimately, both my ability to identify question types and my memorization skills improved.
Above all, I once again realized the power of “habits.” I experienced firsthand how small, daily study habits, when practiced consistently, lead to results, and those results were clearly reflected in my grades. Through this experience, I learned firsthand the importance of perseverance and effective study methods.

Write about major school activities and your reflections

The experience of being “the only male member of the art magazine club” opened up a new perspective for me. Our school had an art magazine club formed by art students, where we planned and produced magazines based on artwork analysis and discussions. The club focused on design and editing, and since most members were art majors, I was often the only male student and the one with a background in science and engineering.
My role in the club was to explain the intersection of art and software and to provide insights into collaboration from a technical perspective. At the time, art was expanding into forms that combined with machines or systems—such as installations that moved or interacted with software. Consequently, my art major friends needed someone who could interpret and apply software elements, so they asked me to take on that role.
Through this experience, I truly came to appreciate the potential of software. Although I felt awkward with both art and writing at first, I gradually adapted and became fascinated by the new modes of expression that the fusion of art and technology brought about. I realized that if I knew how to work with software, I could venture into various fields—not just art, but also music and literature—and I became convinced that majoring in software would allow me to contribute across a broader range of disciplines.
“Realizing the Need for Systematic Learning” was another valuable lesson I gained. While writing articles for the magazine and researching related theories, I felt the limitations of having only fragmented knowledge. Writing articles and commentary required a systematic effort to learn foundational theories and techniques, and that desire naturally led to my interest in majoring in software.
Software was appealing because it serves as the foundation for various technologies and as a tool for solving problems. The thought that an era was coming where those skilled in software—from designing and maintaining programs to actually applying them—would play a central role gave me the confidence to choose this major. My experience in the art club further solidified my career decision.

Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections

I was proactive in supporting and helping those who tried new things. When small student groups on campus launched new campaigns, it was a natural choice for me to support and participate in their activities. I knew how encouraging it is to know that there are people who will lend their support even to the calls of a small group.
The most memorable campaign was the “Don’t Leave School Lunch Uneaten” initiative. Friends often took too much food and left leftovers, and as food waste became a growing problem, we launched this campaign to address it. I participated in this effort by raising awareness, promoting the cause, and encouraging others to join in. As a result, we achieved a reduction in food waste of approximately 60% compared to before the campaign.
Through this experience, I became convinced that even small actions can bring about real change. Since then, I’ve participated in various small-scale campaigns, such as promoting the use of recycled paper, encouraging proper recycling, and helping children facing food insecurity. Through each of these activities, I learned the value of collaboration and sustained participation. The fact that there are people who listen and take action—even when it’s just a small group speaking out—has been a major source of motivation for me.
These experiences have inspired me to collaborate with more people on a broader stage. Therefore, once I enter college, I hope to participate in a wider range of social and academic activities—ones I couldn’t pursue in high school—and become someone who creates small but meaningful changes, one step at a time.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

The statement, “I want to be someone who dreams of new things,” encapsulates the fundamental reason I am applying to the Department of Software Engineering. I did not choose this major simply because of employment rates or its popularity; rather, I chose this path to learn the tools needed to materialize abstract ideas and apply them to the real world. I believe that new things emerge from what did not exist before, and I think the starting point for that is abstract imagination.
I view a software major as a process of learning the “language” that can bring such imagination to life. Just as one must learn a country’s language to understand it, one must master the language of software to properly understand and design systems and services. I believe that only by building a solid foundation can I solve broader problems and create new systems.
At university, I plan to thoroughly study the fundamental theories and develop my practical skills through hands-on training. In addition to my coursework, I intend to take advantage of the entrepreneurship academy, startup center, and the startup support system provided by Chungbuk National University. Rather than aiming to start a business right away, my goal is to gain experience in the startup preparation process by working on small projects and to refine ideas with fellow students who are also preparing to launch their own ventures.
By preparing step by step in this way, I intend to clarify the “vague” ideas within me and develop them into actionable forms. Ultimately, the core of my career plan is to grow into an innovative professional who discovers new things through software, brings them to life, and shares them with the world.