In this blog post, I’ll summarize the academic efforts I made during high school, my participation in school activities, my experiences with empathy and collaboration, and the career preparation process that stemmed from these experiences.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
The subject that served as the foundation for all my learning was Korean Language. During high school, I devoted the most time to studying Korean, and within that subject, I particularly enjoyed studying literature. This was because I believed that the basic communication skills, as well as reading comprehension and critical thinking abilities, I acquired through Korean Language formed the foundation for all other subjects. Furthermore, the time I spent immersing myself in literature served as a crucial foundation for cultivating my sensitivity.
At first, I simply read works and wrote down my impressions, but I gradually broadened the scope of my studies to include logical and critical analysis of literature. Through this process, I learned how to develop my own ideas and mastered the art of effectively structuring and writing analytical essays. Practicing critical evaluation of literature and viewing it from unique perspectives simultaneously enhanced my interpretive skills and expressive abilities.
The course was divided into speaking, listening, reading, and writing modules, each with its own specific learning objectives. I developed my speaking skills through presentation classes and enhanced my listening skills by listening to and understanding speeches and conversational situations. In particular, the training in the reading and writing modules improved my reading comprehension and writing skills, which greatly benefited my studies in other subjects as well.
In the reading unit, through non-fiction reading exercises, I was exposed to a variety of text types, including social and scientific topics, opinion pieces, and expository texts. The ability to summarize the main points of a text and identify the author’s intent aligns with the skills required for solving problems in other subjects, making it highly practical in real-world situations. In the writing module, I cultivated creativity and imagination through creative writing, while simultaneously developing my essay-writing skills and critical thinking by practicing outline construction and providing supporting evidence when writing argumentative essays.
Although creative writing and argumentative writing may seem like disparate activities, I integrated my learning across both fields. I spent a great deal of time critically evaluating works, interpreting them from various perspectives, and practicing how to systematically present my own arguments. This training laid the foundation for me to clearly convey my opinions without becoming flustered, even when faced with essay questions on social issues.
Major School Activities and Reflections
The school activity I found most meaningful immediately upon entering high school was my involvement in the library club. This was because I’ve always loved books, and the library felt like a kind of utopia to me. The ability to immediately find books in my areas of interest among the well-organized collection was a major draw, so I naturally applied to join the library club.
Competition for our school’s library club was extremely fierce due to the limited number of available spots. Once selected, members were expected to serve for three years, and since organizing and managing the collection earned service credits, there was a flood of applicants. I prepared thoroughly to succeed in a competition where only ten students out of the entire student body would be selected. I had to meticulously prepare everything from compiling a reading list and writing a personal statement to preparing for the interview.
The selection criteria generally consisted of three main points: an attitude demonstrating the ability to serve diligently for three years, one’s own reading habits and reading history, and the sincerity of one’s motivation for applying. I decided that simply saying “I like books” wasn’t enough, so I explained in detail which genres I liked, why I liked them, and what had sparked my interest in them. I also tried to set myself apart by sharing my thoughts on the role I wanted to play within the library space.
When compiling my reading list, I didn’t just list books at random; instead, I selected books that had left a deep impression on me by genre and arranged them in a consistent order.
My reflections on each book were not just superficial impressions; I wrote vividly by connecting the most memorable parts to my own experiences. After submitting the reading list and personal statement I had prepared in this way, I focused my interview preparation on answering questions that aligned closely with the materials I had submitted, and I highlighted my experience as a member of the library club in middle school as evidence of my diligence.
As a result, I was accepted into the library club, and since the selection process was so rigorous, I approached my three years of service with a strong sense of responsibility. While performing various tasks—such as organizing the book collection, managing events, and assisting patrons—I gained hands-on experience in library operations and personally experienced the joy of communication through books. This experience went beyond a simple club activity; it was a valuable time that influenced my values and career choices.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
The Library Club held various in-house events once a month. While there were many events—such as the “Most Prolific Reader” contest, book report awards, and the library film festival—the activity in which I participated most actively and took the lead was the “Book Sharing Campaign.” This event took place every two months, where students donated books they no longer read at home, and donors received a small token of appreciation.
As a member of the Library Club, I was responsible for receiving book donations, but I also actively participated as a donor myself. Whenever I took part in the event, I donated at least five books; some were donated to help enrich the library’s collection, while I swapped about two with other donors to read. This process of donating and exchanging not only enriched the library’s collection but also helped me acquire books I’d long wanted to read.
Through the event, I had many opportunities to hear about the books other friends donated and the reasons behind their donations. As I listened to their stories—about what prompted them to donate a particular book and what the book’s main themes were—I often discovered new books I wanted to read. Since exchanged books could be swapped again with other friends or donated to the library and then borrowed for reading, the event naturally served as a “collaborative exchange platform.”
By organizing and participating in this activity firsthand, my love for books deepened, and I felt the joy of working together with my friends to make the library more vibrant. Above all, it was an experience that taught me firsthand how small acts of sharing and cooperation can have a positive impact on the community.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
Through my activities in the Library Club, I naturally developed an interest in a career as a “librarian.” Beyond my personal love for libraries, I was drawn to the role of managing a public space for knowledge after gaining firsthand experience in collection management and user services. The process of diligently preparing a reading list and a personal statement to be selected for the Library Club itself became the cornerstone of my career path.
While preparing for the selection process, I strove to systematically acquire practical skills—such as classifying and organizing books—as well as the ability to communicate with library users and manage events, going beyond simply keeping a reading log. Through the interview and personal statement preparation process, I practiced articulating my motivations clearly, and during my time in the library club, I gained hands-on experience by organizing the collection and coordinating events. These experiences served as a solid foundation for realistically preparing for a career as a librarian.
Furthermore, the critical thinking and writing practice I gained through reading helped me develop the information provision skills and user education capabilities required for library-related roles. Moving forward, I plan to continue reading in related fields and expand my practical experience to further build my knowledge of library operations, collection management, and user services.
