In this blog post, I’ll summarize the learning methods I experienced during high school, my school activities, examples of consideration and collaboration, as well as my motivation for applying and my career preparation process.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

The biggest challenge I faced while studying was chronic fatigue. Even after classes ended, I had to prepare for my practical art projects late into the night, and after spending eight hours a day drawing, sculpting, or working on three-dimensional art, it was difficult to even get out of bed the next morning. Because of my exhaustion, I often struggled to concentrate in class and let time slip away, which led to anxiety about my college entrance exam scores.
So, I tried a method of dividing my time according to my biorhythm. The approach I chose involved dividing my time into blocks of “5 minutes, 40 minutes, 5 minutes,” rather than simply sitting for long stretches. Five minutes before class started, I would skim through the day’s material to refresh my memory of what I’d learned previously and try to connect it to why we were studying that unit. Doing this allowed me to focus more fully on the core content during the 40-minute class period.
The five minutes after class ended were especially important to me. Since I had little free time due to my practical exam preparations, I had to quickly memorize and organize the parts I needed to learn or the key concepts right then and there. I applied the same principle during evening self-study sessions. While my friends spent four hours on self-study, I could only manage one hour before having to leave for practical exam preparation. To get as much done as possible within that hour, I used my time efficiently with the “5 minutes, 40 minutes, 5 minutes” method.
By adjusting my study habits in this way—taking my biorhythms into account to maximize concentration in short bursts—my grades gradually improved, and I was able to successfully balance both my practical training and academic studies. I realized that how I use my time determines both the quantity and quality of my learning, and I intend to continue honing my time management skills to achieve even better results in the future.

Major School Activities and Reflections

My reason for joining the volunteer club was actually quite simple: I had no time to move my body all day due to studying and preparing for practical exams, so I needed an excuse to exercise. Since I often just slept during breaks because of fatigue, I started volunteering with the idea that it would naturally get me moving. Once a week, I helped with the school’s general cleaning, and I went out to assist whenever extra help was needed at the playground or swimming pool.
While clearing away food waste after lunch or cleaning classrooms, the library, and the study hall, I met many people working behind the scenes to keep the school running. Seeing those who kept the school clean, identified and resolved issues, and the mothers preparing meals even in the dead of winter made me truly appreciate the meaning of service, sharing, and cooperation. Their attitudes and efforts left a deep impression on me.
The inspiration I gained from volunteering naturally found its way into my designs. Previously, I had focused primarily on superficial aesthetics—things like “pretty” or “cute”—but the people and emotions I witnessed during my volunteer work began to take on a different hue within me. As the feelings I experienced upon seeing others’ hardships and dedication were reflected in my work, my designs evolved in a warmer and more colorful direction.
Above all, my outlook on life has changed. Amid the competitive college admissions process, I used to hold a results-oriented, “first-place-at-all-costs” mindset, and I would become deeply discouraged if my skills stagnated even slightly. Through volunteering, watching people quietly carry out the tasks assigned to them, I realized how precious it is to find personal meaning and fulfillment in what you do, even if others don’t recognize it. Since then, I’ve been able to prepare for college admissions with a freer and more joyful mindset, and as a result, I’ve been able to produce better work.

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

At my humanities-focused high school, students preparing for college in the arts and physical education tracks—unlike other students—had limited class time and had to devote more hours to practical training. When competitions or practical exams were scheduled, there were times when we had to leave after only the morning classes, and the structure that forced us to prioritize practical training over academic study inevitably deepened our anxiety. During the practical preparation process, an atmosphere of mutual rivalry developed and fatigue built up, which sometimes led to strained relationships with friends.
I felt a strong sense of solidarity with friends facing the same challenges, and I tried to act as a supportive colleague rather than viewing them as competitors. When I received written notes, I would photocopy them and share them with others, and whenever there were common assignments or study materials, we helped each other by sharing them. At first, some reacted with puzzlement or wariness, asking, “Why are competitors helping each other?” But as I consistently reached out first, more people began sharing knowledge just as I did.
As a result, the arts and physical education applicants in our grade developed much closer bonds than those in other grades. The lesson I learned from this experience was that “help begets help.” Since then, I’ve strived to be the one who reaches out first and offers help.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

I was first introduced to David Hockney’s photography collection through a book my older sister had. Seeing the images in person—rather than just on blogs and social media—had a profound impact on me. As someone studying painting and design, the perspective, warm color palette, and unique atmosphere of Hockney’s subjects in his photographs and collages served as a major source of inspiration. Observing his work, I resolved to consistently create pieces that reflect my inner voice, rather than simply imitating others’ designs.
Although AROUND magazine appears to be a lifestyle publication at first glance, it served as an important textbook for me on book design and editorial layout. Its editorial approach—which emphasized the placement of photos and articles, as well as the use of white space and rhythm—aligned perfectly with the direction of design I aspired to. Through my subscription, I discovered new artists and works; I would cut out images I liked, pin them to my wall, and use them as sources of inspiration. This magazine helped me refine my visual sensibility and chart a concrete career path in book design.
The book ‘Masterpieces Ask Me’ was a fascinating read because it presented art historical knowledge not as rote memorization but as storytelling. The process of imagining the emotions of the figures in masterpieces or the stories they intended to convey to viewers helped cultivate my imagination and powers of observation. For someone like me who found textbook-style art study tedious, this book allowed me to view paintings in a more enjoyable and human way, and it naturally led me to study the lives and techniques of the artists.