In this blog post, I’ll outline my motivation for applying to a pharmacy program and my career plans, based on my academic efforts, school activities, and experiences of caring for others and giving back during my high school years.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
I’ve always believed that the secret to excellent grades lies within myself. Throughout high school, I managed my grades and academic performance meticulously, and at the core of this was, above all, the habit of not wasting time. The reason I was able to minimize time wasted was that I knew myself well. When you don’t know yourself, it’s easy to let time slip away while trying out various things. On the other hand, if you know your own study environment, methods, and plans, you can study efficiently without being swayed by others’ standards.
Through the consistent study habits I’ve cultivated since childhood, I’ve learned what study methods yield results and how to overcome stagnation when I fall into a rut. I possess relatively strong concentration, so I strictly adhered to class schedules and designated study times. During study hours, I focused solely on my work, and I strictly separated rest periods to manage my physical stamina and eating habits. This is because I believed that physical stamina is a crucial foundation for sustaining my studies.
During exam periods or mock exam seasons, there was often a prevailing atmosphere around me to increase study hours. However, through years of experience, I learned that a sudden increase in study time actually increases physical and mental strain and disrupts my flow of concentration. Therefore, rather than trying to match others’ study hours or volume, I chose to consistently follow the plan I had set for myself and maintain my natural rhythm. I believe that sticking to my plan without being swayed by my surroundings has been the key to maintaining stable grades up to now.
Write about major school activities and reflections
Apart from studying, the field I was deeply interested in was “Science Inquiry.” In particular, I have long been curious about the process of treating physical ailments and restoring healthy circulation. Through my participation in the high school science club, where I conducted experiments and research on bodily changes and health, my interest in pharmacy naturally grew. Since this was a topic I found personally fascinating, I read many related books, collected data, and organized my findings into a research paper format for presentation. This experience solidified my resolve to pursue a degree in pharmacy and also helped me secure the support and guidance of my teachers.
Eager to test the depth of my interest in science, I participated in every science-related competition held at my school. By competing in school-wide science contests, research paper writing contests, and experiment competitions, I actively applied the knowledge I had gathered over time. As a result, I achieved outstanding results and gained recognition for my passion and abilities. These school competitions also opened the door for me to participate in competitions at other schools, where I was able to interact with peers interested in pharmacy and gain valuable insights and inspiration.
I relieved the stress accumulated from studying through singing. I served as the vocalist in the school band and, after being selected during my freshman year, performed on stage at festivals and events. Practicing songs and preparing for performances gave me confidence and served as a constructive outlet for relieving the tension caused by my studies. Although my parents and teachers were concerned at first, I clearly separated my study time from my rest and extracurricular activities, managing both areas in a balanced way. As a result, I was able to fulfill the role of a “multi-tasker” in my school life.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
As word spread that I was good at managing my grades and maintaining my academic performance, friends and underclassmen began coming to me more frequently for career counseling or advice on managing their grades. Although their requests were sometimes a burden amid my busy schedule, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to their earnest pleas for help. So, as time permitted, I made a sincere effort to share the study methods and tips I knew.
Rather than simply passing on study tips, I focused on helping them reflect on themselves first.
I often shared the advice, “Know thyself,” and guided them to identify their available study time and areas needing improvement on their own. During our consultations, rather than unilaterally presenting solutions to their problems, I placed greater emphasis on listening to and empathizing with their anxieties and concerns. In many cases, the students already knew the methods that worked best for them but were unable to recognize them due to anxiety or their surrounding circumstances.
Later, when I received feedback from those friends and underclassmen saying, “Thank you for listening to us and helping us overcome our anxiety,” I realized once again the true meaning of consideration and sharing. Through this experience, I learned that consideration does not necessarily mean immediately solving a problem, but rather is a process of helping others find their own answers through empathy and active listening. This experience was instrumental in cultivating an attitude of understanding and cooperation toward others.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
Since I was physically frail as a child and had been hospitalized, I developed a keen interest in health and medicine. Naturally, I developed the habit of researching the effects of medications on the body and their mechanisms of action on my own, which led to my decision to major in pharmacy. I firmly established my goal of becoming a pharmacist to make a tangible contribution to people’s health.
To prepare for admission to the pharmacy program, I paid special attention to maintaining my high school grades and proactively sought out information regarding the early admission process. In addition, I consistently engaged in academic preparation by independently researching pharmacy-related topics, compiling my findings into papers, and presenting them. This prior preparation will serve as a foundation for pursuing my university studies more actively and in greater depth.
I believe that to become a pharmacist who contributes to public health, not only advanced professional knowledge but also the right attitude toward people and a strong sense of ethics are essential. Since this profession deals with human lives, I will study with a spirit of service, always keeping in mind my social responsibility to practice proper pharmaceutical care. Furthermore, as pharmacy is a rapidly evolving field, I will strive to quickly acquire new knowledge and research trends, analyze the differences between past and present practices, and adopt a creative approach.
Finally, to develop the empathy and communication skills necessary for interpersonal relationships, I plan to actively participate in extracurricular and club activities. I will strive to maintain a balanced approach to both my academic studies and personal development, so that I may grow not only as a pharmacist with specialized knowledge but also as one who understands and cares for patients and colleagues.
