In this blog post, I’ll focus on my academic experiences during high school, the school activities I led, and examples of how I practiced compassion and generosity.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
Studying Creatively — I have always prioritized interest and creativity in my studies. I felt that simply memorizing textbook content made it difficult to achieve a deep understanding, so I strove to broaden my studies by seeking out additional books related to the topics covered in class and researching and analyzing materials. This process allowed me to view the same content from various perspectives and was a great help in building connected knowledge rather than relying on fragmented memorization.
When it came to study methods, rather than following a fixed framework, I experimented to find approaches that suited me. Instead of sitting still for long periods, I would go for walks to organize my thoughts, write concepts directly on the blackboard to visualize them, and gather with friends to explain concepts to one another and engage in discussions. Studying in these diverse ways reduced boredom and improved my concentration and comprehension. I realized firsthand that finding a method I could enjoy ultimately led to consistency and achievement.
On the other hand, I was sometimes criticized for being distracted simply because my study methods differed from the conventional ones. However, I believed it was more important to find a method that aligned with my personality and values rather than simply copying others. I felt that only by finding a personalized approach that took my strengths and learning style into account could I discover my true goals and dreams and maintain sustained effort. So, I stuck to my creative learning methods, and as a result, I achieved better results and greater satisfaction.
Description of Major School Activities and Reflections
Starting a Fashion Club from Scratch — There was no club at my school that specialized in fashion or clothing production. Since I’ve always been very interested in fashion and had many friends who shared that interest, I decided to start a club where we could make our own clothes and practice styling. First, I explained the educational and industrial value of the fashion club to a teacher to persuade them, and after receiving the teacher’s permission, the club was officially approved.
The very first activity we held after launching the club was a styling class. The goal was to raise awareness of the club and recruit members, so I structured the class by researching current trends and upcoming styles that my peers would easily relate to. We rented a classroom after school to prepare materials and props, demonstrated styling using outfits we brought ourselves, and actively answered participants’ questions. More students participated than expected, and after the class ended, the number of students wanting to join the club increased, causing the club to grow rapidly.
Establishing a Tradition of Fashion Shows — As membership grew, we became able to participate in school festivals, and the idea arose to go beyond simply running a booth and try hosting a fashion show instead. I proposed a fashion show plan to the student council, the festival organizing committee, and the supervising teacher, and the school administration welcomed the idea positively, recognizing it as a unique endeavor. Together with the club officers, we established the overarching theme of “Light” and divided into teams based on various concepts derived from that theme. To compensate for our lack of professional pattern-making skills, we utilized ready-made patterns while focusing on styling and stage direction to ensure we captured the audience’s attention.
The preparation process was both grueling and enjoyable. When the models took the stage wearing the outfits we had made ourselves, seeing them stand there with such confidence deeply moved both me and the entire club. Building on this experience, we set a goal to establish the fashion show as a festival tradition, and subsequently, the club gained more members and attention, becoming a popular club on campus.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Donating Unworn Clothes — In conjunction with our fashion club activities, I planned and carried out a sharing program centered on clothing. Since clothes are more than just objects—they are an important means of protecting and expressing oneself—I believed that volunteer work using them as a medium would be meaningful. I utilized break times, lunch breaks, and commuting times to conduct a campaign on campus to collect clothing donations from students, and I carefully inspected all donated items.
The inspection criteria were clear: we did not accept clothes that were unsuitable for immediate wear, had irreparable stains, or would cost more to repair than their value; instead, we collected only clean clothes in good condition that anyone would be happy to receive. At first, there were reactions like, “Why be so picky? Just accept whatever you get,” but I believed that sharing must be based on consideration. I believed that true sharing meant maintaining quality so that the recipients would feel respected.
The collected clothes were delivered to local children’s centers, support centers for the elderly living alone, and overseas aid centers (e.g., in the Philippines, Thailand, etc.). Because we sent clothes in such good condition that they were ready to wear right away, the recipients’ reactions were very positive, and we felt a great sense of fulfillment. This activity evolved into a quarterly program and expanded into a community-wide event, and through this process, I learned for certain that “consideration” must always be at the heart of sharing. I will continue to uphold this principle when planning and carrying out volunteer activities in the future.
