In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic experiences and school activities during high school, examples of my acts of consideration, generosity, and cooperation, as well as my motivation for applying to college and my career plans.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
This change began when I asked myself why I was struggling with my studies. Once I set a goal and gained confidence in what I could do well, my goal of attending college became clear, and I realized that my current study habits were the problem preventing me from achieving that goal. Looking back, I realized I had developed a habit of skimming through problems and glossing over them, and I decided that unless I broke that habit, I wouldn’t be able to do well in my studies.
So, the approach I chose was to master “how to analyze problems.” Although I had been consistently reviewing my mistakes from mock exams and by chapter, I decided to focus more on the problems themselves rather than just looking at the solution process. I tried to trace my thought process while solving each problem and investigate the causes of my mistakes one by one.
Through this process, I realized that my greatest weaknesses were “terminology” and “a precise understanding of concepts.” I didn’t fully grasp the meanings of terms used in the language section, such as “mental imagery” or “values,” and I was also misunderstanding many English words. I also realized that I hadn’t systematically organized the terminology frequently used in math and science.
To address this, I decided to go back to basics. Even though I felt pressure as a sophomore—knowing I didn’t have enough time to solve a large number of problems—I calmly reviewed the fundamentals from the beginning. I compiled a list of key terms for the language section and worked to fill in the gaps by summarizing the main points of each unit on my own.
I continued my studies by reviewing and filling in unfamiliar concepts and terms one by one, and I’m still preparing for the CSAT by gradually addressing these gaps. Through this experience, I developed a thorough approach to tackling problems and a habit of rigorously verifying fundamental concepts, which began to transform the quality of my studying.
Major School Activities and Reflections
Joining the film club was a chance occurrence, but at first, I experienced significant frustration. The upperclassmen and friends in the club were very knowledgeable about film and naturally discussed topics like editing, directing, and acting, but I couldn’t understand even half of what they were saying. I felt intimidated, thinking I couldn’t contribute because of my lack of film-related terminology and knowledge, and it felt like yet another failure.
However, an unexpected remark from a senior saved me. After seeing me meticulously take minutes as the secretary during our first meeting, the senior recommended me as the next treasurer. I had no idea what the role of treasurer entailed or how to perform it, but I couldn’t betray the senior’s trust, so I set the standard of “managing finances transparently and accurately” and got to work.
The film club handled large sums of money, including membership dues raised for video production and school grants. Managing those funds required a great deal of responsibility, and I felt the pressure that if I were careless, the projects my clubmates had prepared might not be able to move forward. So, I opened a new bank account to manage the club’s funds separately and ensured transparency by recording even the smallest expenses without omission.
Gradually, I began meticulously recording income and expenses and systematized the process by creating monthly and weekly reports in Excel. This management approach was instrumental in earning the club’s trust, and as I received praise from others, I experienced the “joy” of working for the first time in my life. That experience inspired me to pursue a career in accounting.
Through my experience as treasurer, I learned more than just basic accounting. I personally experienced how important it is to handle an organization’s resources responsibly and witnessed firsthand how small acts of diligence accumulate to build trust. I also discovered the sense of fulfillment that comes from accurately fulfilling my duties and the joy of achieving results together with my peers.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Through my role as treasurer, I strove to practice consideration, cooperation, and trust throughout my school life. After gaining confidence in the club, I applied to be the treasurer for my class as well, and for the next three years, I served as the grade-level treasurer, managing my classmates’ funds transparently and accurately. Throughout this process, I focused not only on managing the money but also on creating an environment where all members could participate with peace of mind.
Specifically, I organized and distributed monthly cash flow reports in table format, and when a budget was needed, I worked with my classmates to compare prices and find the most reasonable options. For projects like producing class T-shirts and purchasing supplies for the sports festival, I went out of my way to research options, carefully balancing quality and cost to ensure we made the best possible choices. Thanks to these efforts, our class was always able to carry out our plans without any missing or lost funds.
The most significant lesson I learned from this experience was the importance of “trust.” It was only possible because my classmates trusted me—even when I hesitantly raised my hand at the beginning of the semester—and entrusted me with the responsibility. I found myself constantly reflecting on the attitude I needed to maintain to earn my classmates’ trust and the methods I should use to ensure transparency when managing and organizing funds.
Although this reflection is still ongoing, one thing has become clear: trust is built through attitude and habits. That’s why I strive to maintain an attitude of constant self-reflection and improvement. I experienced firsthand how small acts of consideration and consistent record-keeping come together to foster stability and cooperation within the entire team.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
My experience as treasurer led me toward a career in accounting. There was a time when I thought I wasn’t good at anything, and I was losing motivation as I passively went along with the choices that came my way. However, while meticulously managing funds for my club and class, I realized I could demonstrate attention to detail and a sense of responsibility, which naturally sparked my interest in the profession of an accountant—someone who manages a company’s cash flow. Consequently, I decided to apply to the Department of Accounting at Andong National University.
At university, my primary goal is to build a solid foundation. I accept the reality that I may not fully understand all the material during my first year, so I plan to thoroughly prepare for and review each class to ensure my grasp of the fundamentals is stronger than anyone else’s. I believe that only with a solid foundation can I effectively pursue specialized knowledge and work toward obtaining professional certifications.
As the next step, I have set two key goals: preparing to become a certified public accountant and developing my foreign language skills. I aspire to become a professional who is not limited to the domestic market but can also thrive on the international stage. To achieve this, I plan to first solidify my English skills and then systematically learn Japanese, Chinese, and French in that order, so that I can acquire the ability to communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.
Although I still have much to learn and many areas where I need to refine my plans, I seriously harbor the dream of becoming someone responsible for a company’s operations and finances. To achieve this dream, I will steadily put into practice my approach to university studies, preparation for professional certifications, and language learning.
