In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic efforts and school activities during high school, my experiences with caring for others and giving back, and the process of preparing to apply to a nursing program.
Writing About My Academic Experiences and Reflections
The subject that caused me the most trouble in high school was English. Although I was interested in the subject, my test scores wouldn’t improve, and I lost confidence after getting many questions wrong on the listening section in particular. Repeating relatively more mistakes than my friends led to mounting frustration, but I decided to view this situation as an opportunity for growth.
First, I exposed myself to a wide variety of English listening formats and trained myself to understand the speaker’s context and the content of the conversation. I transcribed every script into a notebook and practiced speaking aloud to familiarize myself with conversational expressions. I also created my own listening notebook, organized by question type, and practiced reading the scripts aloud at least 60 times each. This repetitive training was extremely helpful in quickly grasping the overall context.
Additionally, I used TED Talks to get accustomed to English expressions and various accents. At first, I listened to the talks naturally; the second time, I turned on the Korean subtitles, jotted down any parts I had missed, and then reviewed them; and finally, I studied while grasping the overall context and theme of the talk. As I practiced speaking by imitating speakers of various nationalities, I gained confidence not only in listening but also in speaking. In addition, I consistently maintained my interest in English by enjoying the music of my favorite pop singers.
As a result, I was able to score a perfect score on the English listening section, and that experience gave me great joy and confidence. Through this process, I learned that any difficulty can be overcome with a positive attitude and consistent effort, and I gained the courage to realize that patience and a willingness to take on challenges are necessary to achieve my dream of becoming a nurse. It was a valuable turning point that reminded me once again that learning begins with determination.
Description of Major School Activities and Reflections
Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of becoming a nurse who provides warm care to those in need. Therefore, after entering high school, I focused not only on my academics but also on community service and related club activities to cultivate the attitude and competencies required of a nurse. Taking Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000-Hour Rule” as my guiding principle, I strove to steadily gain experience.
Believing that sincere concern for others is essential for a nurse, I set a goal of “completing 100 hours of volunteer service” and participated two to three times a week in volunteer work at the local Yangji House and in delivering meals to elderly people living alone. During this time, I met children in various situations, including a 5-year-old who had to crawl on the floor due to a spinal deformity and a child who had difficulty eating because of a congenital disability. Even when there was little I could do to help a child whose fingers were all shaped differently, the moment that child smiled at me left a deep impression on me. I realized that I find my greatest happiness in helping and caring for others, and I resolved to continue volunteering and become a nurse who reaches out to those in need.
One day, while volunteering full-time at a long-term care facility for people with severe disabilities, I drew on my extensive volunteer experience to set an example for friends who found it difficult to approach people with disabilities, taking on the role of leading the volunteer effort. Based on that experience, I wrote a reflection essay that won an Excellence Award in the school’s essay contest, and by the first semester of my junior year, I had completed 200 hours of volunteer service—far exceeding my goal. Volunteering was a valuable learning experience that helped me confirm my qualities as a nurse and the values of life.
Through activities with the school’s volunteer club, I had the opportunity to visit historical sites and reflect on the role and history of nurses. In particular, while viewing the records of the late Lee Jeong-ae—Korea’s first registered nurse—at the National Museum of Korean History, I learned how she pioneered a path by overcoming the discrimination and hardships women faced in the medical field. Witnessing her story, I resolved to lead by example, walk the path of nursing with dedication, and become a role model for others.
Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Early in high school, I experienced firsthand the power of compassion and sharing while helping a friend who felt left out. There was a student in my class who was often ignored by her peers and spent a lot of time alone. She ate alone during meal times and, unable to fit in with the group, always had a sad expression on her face. Since I’m the type of person who can’t just ignore others’ struggles, I approached her first, listened to her, and tried to understand her situation.
While listening to her concerns, I looked up books on mental and behavioral psychology to find ways to help. I made an effort to identify and point out their strengths to boost their confidence. For example, I gave positive feedback like, “You have a nice voice,” or “You’re tall, so clothes would look great on you,” to help raise their self-esteem.
Later, when I was assigned to be the group leader for a performance assessment, I intentionally included that student in my group so they could participate in the team activities. My friend, who had usually been quiet and reserved, gradually began to voice their opinions and gained the confidence to express themselves. Emboldened by this, my friend began communicating more with others and became more cheerful. Witnessing firsthand how small acts of consideration and care can change someone’s life, I resolved to live a life dedicated to helping those around me.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I believe the Department of Nursing at Eulji University offers the ideal environment for me to grow into the nurse I aspire to be, as it is equipped with regional hub hospitals and professional educational infrastructure. The long-standing history of the Department of Nursing was also a major draw for me, which is why I have been steadily preparing to enroll in the program since high school.
After graduation, I hope to work as a nurse at a local hospital, providing necessary nursing services to community residents and helping many people access healthcare. To this end, while in high school, I completed emergency medical technician (EMT) training and obtained the relevant certification to acquire basic emergency care skills. I also participated in the health and medical section of my school’s academic festival, where I gained experience writing a nursing-related research paper on my own.
For the academic festival, I conducted research on diabetes and lifestyle-related diseases. Since I lacked relevant knowledge at first, I studied extensively on my own by consulting academic papers and books. I organized a team of students interested in nursing, sought out research topics with the goal of acquiring in-depth nursing knowledge, and worked collaboratively with my team members for six months to enhance the quality of our research. I took the lead in conducting creative research by identifying issues through relevant books and papers and facilitating lively discussions.
Throughout the research process, I investigated case studies and engaged in open discussions with my peers, which boosted my motivation to learn and, above all, helped me realize the importance of collaboration. Building on these experiences, my goal is to actively pursue my studies after enrolling in the Department of Nursing at Eulji University, where I will gain in-depth knowledge of community nursing and healthcare services. After graduation, I aim to work as a nurse at the university’s affiliated hospital, equipped with professional nursing skills and knowledge.
