In this blog post, we provide an easy-to-read and naturally structured example of a personal statement for applicants to the Department of Business Administration at Kongju National University.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School
I heard a lot of advice like, “To do well in school, you have to do this or that,” but none of it felt like the right approach for me. I tried following the example of friends who did well in school and read books on study methods to find a solution, but I ultimately concluded that the most important thing was to discover “my own study method.” I also realized that there is no magic formula for suddenly improving my grades overnight. So, I decided to study by the book, without cutting corners.
To study by the book, I diligently created a study plan. I allocated more time to difficult subjects and invested time in thoroughly reviewing parts I didn’t understand, rather than skimming over them. I wasn’t shy about going to the teachers’ lounge during breaks to ask questions, and because I put in that effort, class time felt more valuable, and I was able to concentrate during self-study periods as well. I made the most of even my spare moments to catch up on problem-solving and supplementary study.
In addition to time management, another strategy I devised to stay focused on the basics was “categorizing my study spaces.” Since I have a hard time tolerating boredom, I struggled to study in one place for long periods. I realized that categorizing spaces based on the purpose of my study—rather than forcing myself to sit in one spot for too long—worked better for me. I established the following guidelines: classes and lectures in the classroom; self-study at a desk in the reading room or library; asking questions in the faculty office; and homework in my study area at home. By dividing my spaces this way, I was able to focus appropriately on each activity, and my overall concentration improved.
Meaningful Extracurricular Activities (up to 3)
When my English grades began to drop during my sophomore year of high school, I decided I needed a turning point in my English studies, so I organized a study group to study English together. The purpose of our study group was not so much to delve deeply into English as it was to create an environment where we could consistently study by acting as both peers and accountability partners. For example, memorizing vocabulary can be boring when done alone, making it easy to give up, but by testing each other and grading one another’s work, we could gauge our progress and were motivated to study harder. Grammar study was also more effective and efficient when group members summarized their assigned sections, compiled the material, and shared it with the group.
We divided our study into vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension sections, meeting three times a week for one hour each session over a six-month period. On meeting days, we always began with a test, and we alternated between grammar and reading comprehension, dedicating one hour a week to grammar and two hours to reading comprehension. However, some members failed to prepare their grammar materials on time, which disrupted the study group’s progress. While we could simply work through the textbook sections for reading comprehension, the grammar sessions couldn’t proceed unless everyone brought their assigned sections.
As the organizer of the study group, I felt responsible for resolving this issue. Even friends who had been diligent at first gradually became lax and stopped completing their assigned portions, leading to a situation where the burden fell solely on those who had consistently participated. So, to lighten everyone’s load, I adjusted the group’s structure by reducing the amount of material each person had to present. The reason my friends weren’t keeping up was that the process of summarizing, understanding, and typing up the material was burdensome in itself. After reducing the volume and discussing it again, we were able to continue the study group while showing consideration for one another.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management
Various problems arose in the English study group mentioned earlier. Aside from difficulties with grammar summaries, as we entered our senior year and the college entrance exam approached, more friends began neglecting the study group because they were investing more time in math and science subjects.
As college entrance exams drew near, some students—particularly those focusing on math and exploratory subjects—even considered giving up on English altogether.
As the study group leader, I worked to persuade my friends and keep the group going. I emphasized that no university ignores English scores and that English proficiency is a crucial factor in college admissions. Taking these realities into account, I proposed a compromise: adjusting the study content to be more exam-focused and reducing the number of meetings to twice a week. Instead of cutting back on meeting time, we shifted our focus from grammar and vocabulary to reading comprehension. As a result, the study group members came to recognize the importance of the group once again and were able to improve their reading comprehension scores.
By making these efforts to address the issue of the study group falling apart and by listening to and communicating with my friends, we managed to keep the group going. In fact, members reported that the reading-comprehension-focused structure provided practical help in preparing for their English exams. Thanks to my efforts to emphasize and persuade the group of the study group’s necessity, we were able to avoid burning out from studying alone, and I felt a sense of fulfillment as someone who worked hard to keep the group going. Through this experience, I realized how crucial it is to work together and show consideration for one another when managing an organization.
My Career Goals, Motivation for Applying, and Academic Plan
My career goal is to work in a company’s human resources department. I believe the HR department plays a role in efficiently managing organizational members and planning education and training programs based on business administration knowledge. Through my experiences as a class officer and study group leader, I gained firsthand experience with the importance of organizational operations and management, which confirmed that this field suits my aptitude. I believe that managing organizations and persuading people—which differs from the roles of a CEO or executive—is at the core of HR work. I aspire to grow as a planner responsible for training and education within a corporate HR team, designing educational programs.
At Kongju National University’s Department of Business Administration, I intend to steadily build my specialized knowledge to develop skills in smooth organizational communication and management, while establishing a strong sense of corporate social responsibility. I will grow in line with the university’s talent development goals and cultivate an international mindset to become a professional who contributes to both the corporate world and the nation. To this end, I will actively participate in a solid foundational education and hands-on training to develop the flexibility needed to quickly adapt to a global corporate environment. With the support of excellent instruction, I will diligently complete my coursework each semester to become a well-rounded professional with a strong foundation of skills.
