In this blog post, I’ll share my reflections, focusing on the study methods I used, the school activities I participated in, and examples of kindness and collaboration during my time in high school.

Writing About My Academic Experiences and Reflections

I had a habit of doing two things every day right before going to bed: reviewing my mistakes and writing a reflection journal. Although these two activities may seem like simple habits at first glance, they were core routines that transformed my study methods and attitude toward life.
Reviewing my mistakes involved going over the problems I had gotten wrong that day. I didn’t consider myself a natural at studying. Since I often struggled with the same types of problems repeatedly, I felt that practice and repetition were essential. So, every day after solving problems and returning home, I would always fill out a notebook dedicated to my mistakes. At first, I kept separate notebooks for Korean, English, math, and science, but I gradually realized that organizing the day’s study material and the problems I got wrong in a single thick notebook was more efficient.
After reviewing my mistakes, I made it a habit to memorize them the next day before heading to school. As a result, I made fewer mistakes on problems I’d already gotten wrong, and I could personally feel the benefits of repeated learning. Consistent organization and review gave me a sense of small accomplishment and improved the efficiency of my studying.
My reflection journal was a diary I wrote before going to sleep, looking back on my day. At times, I felt this reflection journal was even more important than studying itself. By writing down why I hadn’t concentrated in class, the assignments I’d put off, and the times I hadn’t participated properly because I was tired—and vowing to do better the next day—I was able to keep myself on track. As a result, my attitude in class gradually improved, and my teachers even acknowledged this change in me.
Ultimately, both of these habits were part of a process of “reflection.” The cycle of reflecting on my mistakes, identifying areas for improvement, and putting those changes into practice the next day helped me grow little by little. I have cultivated an attitude of striving to be someone who improves steadily, even if I’m not the best, and I will continue these habits in the future, dreaming of a tomorrow that is better than today.

Description of Major School Activities and Reflections

The science club I joined was known for its diverse experiments and vibrant outcomes. It was filled with students who had a strong spirit of inquiry and a passion for experimentation, so the club’s atmosphere was always lively, and we were active enough to interact with clubs from other schools. Captivated by that atmosphere, I decided to join.
Through my club activities, I truly experienced the joy of collaboration for the first time. Previously, I had only experienced inefficient and unfulfilling collaboration—such as taking on all the work alone during group presentations or being forced to do tasks that everyone else avoided. However, in the science club, each member took on a role they excelled at and gave it their all; the process of combining our individual contributions to achieve greater results was enjoyable in itself. The experience of communicating openly with one another and putting our heads together to solve problems when we hit a roadblock made even failure feel rewarding.
Through this activity, I learned how to enjoy the process itself. Rather than fixating solely on the outcome, I came to understand the meaning behind the process of effort, and spending time with colleagues who opened up to me and shared their dreams became a great source of joy.
In the club, I served as treasurer for two years. The role of treasurer went beyond simply managing membership dues; it involved submitting monthly reports detailing income and expenses to the school and procuring necessary supplies. There was also a significant practical burden, such as obtaining comparative quotes and doing legwork to secure laboratory equipment and materials at lower prices and higher quality. While some friends were reluctant to take on this role, I gladly accepted it because I enjoyed the club activities themselves.
As treasurer, I meticulously managed all income and expenses, recording them daily in a household budget app to ensure there were no discrepancies, not even a single penny. I transparently shared purchase records and budget execution details so my friends could review them at any time. Managing funds, adjusting the budget, and incorporating others’ opinions was no easy task, but I felt a great sense of fulfillment when I was praised for my thoroughness during that process.

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

Building on my experience as the club treasurer, I also took on the role of treasurer in my class to manage membership dues. Since it was even more important to manage finances transparently than in the club—otherwise misunderstandings could easily arise—I made a special effort to operate with even greater care.
Whenever we collected dues, I posted the balance and current status on the classroom wall so everyone could see it, and whenever there was an expense, I posted the details on the bulletin board so anyone could verify them. When we needed to make bulk purchases for the class, I obtained quotes from at least three vendors, compared their pros and cons, and shared the information with my classmates. If anyone in the class worked in a related field, I also sought their input to help reduce costs.
Through these experiences, I came to the conclusion that “transparency is best.” When money is entrusted to people, rumors spread easily and suspicion arises. That’s why I realized that making every process public and operating transparently is the most effective approach. I also learned from experience that once trust is established, my friends would believe in me and help me even when small mistakes or accidents occurred.
Once, while I was in Dongdaemun to pick up our class T-shirts, I lost about 50,000 won. I was honest with my friends about it, and not a single one of the more than 30 friends—who knew I had always managed the club funds transparently—demanded that I repay them. In that moment, I truly felt the power of trust. The trust I had built up over time became a great source of strength when I needed it most, and I learned that transparent management and consistent accountability strengthen relationships between people.