In this blog post, I’ll summarize and share my academic efforts, school activities, examples of consideration and cooperation, and my college preparation process during my time in high school.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
Everyone struggles with finding the right study methods. I, too, tried various approaches to maximize efficiency in a short amount of time, and eventually settled on a method I called “finding my peak concentration window.” After watching a TV program by chance, I learned that concentration follows certain patterns and that there are study methods designed to take advantage of those specific time periods. Using this as a clue, I began observing how my concentration levels fluctuated throughout the day.
Based on these observations, I completely overhauled my study plan. Previously, I would simply decide what needed to be done that day and dive right in, which led to low efficiency and the feeling that the amount of study I could manage in a day was limited. After organizing my study material by time of day, the amount I could cover in a day actually increased, and I felt much more refreshed.
Specifically, I took advantage of my strong memory in the morning to summarize and memorize a day’s worth of English vocabulary, four-character idioms, and theory for subjects requiring memorization before eating breakfast. During my morning commute to and from school, I listened to music to help me relax and stimulate my brain; I mainly listened to fun and catchy English audio tapes to improve my listening skills.
In the mornings, when my mind was clear, I focused intensively on the language and foreign language sections, and in the afternoons, I tried to regain my focus by studying math while listening to music. In the evenings, during self-study time, I reviewed what I had learned that day and took one practice test to maintain my test-taking skills. As I consistently followed this routine, I could feel my grades improving.
Major School Activities and Reflections
One of the meaningful activities I participated in during high school was the nursing home volunteer club. I grew up watching my mother, who is an excellent cook, volunteer her culinary skills for many years, and naturally, I followed in her footsteps, finding joy in helping with the volunteer work. That experience naturally led me to join the nursing home volunteer club when I entered high school and had to choose a club.
Our club activities expanded beyond simply preparing and sharing meals to include collaborations with the local apartment complex’s women’s association. Once a week, we visited the nursing home to decide on the day’s menu, brought ingredients from our homes, cooked together, and served the meals to the elderly residents. Additionally, once a month, we partnered with the women’s association to invite local seniors to a small gathering, organizing larger-scale projects.
Through these activities, I learned the joy of volunteering and the importance of how we treat people. At first, I felt discouraged because I thought the food lacked flavor or wasn’t perfectly prepared, but I came to realize that the seniors found great joy not in the taste or quantity of the food, but simply in the fact that we gathered together, made a bit of a racket, and shared stories. In fact, our clumsiness often added a lively energy to the atmosphere.
That experience led me to shift my focus from “the skill of cooking” to “how to present food.” I began to think beyond simply preparing delicious food to considering whom to serve and how to deliver it with care and affection—a pivotal moment that led me to choose a career in restaurant management. In a sense, the sense of fulfillment I felt through volunteering and the substance of my dream came together.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Throughout my three years of high school, I volunteered for cafeteria duty every year. I didn’t do it to fulfill volunteer hours or to get noticed by anyone. I simply enjoyed sharing food in the cafeteria, interacting with the mothers, and providing my classmates with a warm meal. Growing up watching my mother volunteer through cooking had a significant influence on me, and I naturally enjoyed working in the kitchen and interacting with people.
Volunteering in the cafeteria meant giving up my lunch break, and it was difficult at first. However, as I continued, what I gained was the value of “consistency.” Volunteer work often starts with praise but, over time, can become taken for granted; if you stop, you may even face criticism. Even in such situations, I learned the importance of setting my own standards and persevering consistently, rather than relying solely on external recognition.
This experience provided a lesson that applies equally to my academic studies and future career. I realized that it is more important to approach tasks diligently according to my own standards rather than acting in anticipation of praise, and that the perseverance to continue quietly—even without recognition—ultimately forms the foundation for building competence. The mindset I gained through my cafeteria duty will continue to serve as the standard for my actions moving forward.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I view the strengths of Korean cuisine as a core competitive advantage for the future foodservice industry. I believe Korean cuisine is competitive in the global trend toward health-conscious eating, not only because of its taste but also because it offers nutritional balance. For example, a food culture centered on rice as a staple contributes to healthier carbohydrate intake, and I found Korean cuisine—which utilizes vegetables and a variety of ingredients—to be nutritionally superior.
Upon enrolling in the Department of Foodservice Management at Sejong University, I plan to first focus on obtaining certifications and thoroughly mastering theoretical knowledge. Since I believe foodservice managers must possess both practical skills and a business mindset, I will strive to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and cultural differences in real-world settings based on theoretical foundations. My goal is to cultivate the analytical thinking required of a manager by balancing academic diligence with practical experience.
I also hope to take advantage of Sejong University’s overseas exchange student program to gain firsthand experience with diverse foodservice management cases and explore opportunities for collaboration with international companies. Starting in my junior year, I plan to gain practical experience through internships at hotels or foodservice companies to identify the specific strengths I need to develop and prepare accordingly. Ultimately, my dream is to become a foodservice management expert who is competitive on the global stage and to promote Korean cuisine to the world.
