In this blog post, I’ll talk about the effort I put into my studies during high school, my extracurricular activities, my experiences with consideration and collaboration, and my career preparation.

Reflections on My Academic Experience

At first, I thought results were everything. Because I was highly competitive and obsessed with grades and rankings, my emotions fluctuated wildly depending on test results, and subjects I struggled with or areas where I felt inadequate became a major source of stress. As a result, I studied selfishly in an environment full of competitors, refusing to share notes or study tips and instead pushing forward on my own.
However, that approach only fueled my anxiety and fear. Because I was overly fixated on results, my personality became prickly, and studying itself began to feel like a form of torture. At some point, I decided I needed to change my approach to studying. I resolved to prioritize the process over the outcome and to judge my progress based on whether I had faithfully followed my daily plan.
As I shifted to a process-oriented approach to studying, I naturally came to appreciate the importance of planning. Rather than just studying for long hours aimlessly, I would specifically define what I wanted to learn and what my study goals were, and then evaluate my day based on whether I had carried out that plan. Thanks to this, I gained a sense of satisfaction that I was “studying properly,” and I began to enjoy the act of studying itself.
Once I focused on the process, my grades naturally improved. I gained more confidence than when I was obsessed with results, and as I became more at ease, I developed a desire to help those around me. The experience of breaking free from solitary competition and changing my learning methods and attitude taught me the value of consistency in studying, self-discipline, and an attitude of growing together with others.

Describe major school activities and reflections

Through my involvement in the high school newspaper club, I cultivated an interest in writing and social issues. Watching journalists tenaciously delve into social issues instilled in me a deep respect for and passion for journalism, and I learned a sense of responsibility by producing monthly and weekly publications myself.
When I first started writing, I couldn’t even get a single line down easily. Trying to meet my daily quota often led to slumps, and I frequently felt overwhelmed, not knowing where to begin. The more I struggled, the more diligently I read books and newspapers. By observing how professional journalists structured their articles and conveyed messages through photos and layout, I gradually developed an eye for writing news stories.
As I read newspapers more closely, I learned to discern political and diplomatic contexts even within a single scene described in an article. For example, when international health issues arose, I began to interpret everything from the attitude displayed by specific public figures to the message conveyed by a single photograph; this naturally led to an expansion of my interests into politics and diplomacy.
Through my activities in the newspaper club, I developed the ability to go beyond simple news articles and read the trends of society while interpreting their context. Moving beyond my dream of journalism, this process also sparked a career aspiration to take on the responsibility of facilitating communication and cooperation between nations—that is, to play a role in connecting people and society in the fields of politics and diplomacy.

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

In the past, I studied selfishly, but after realizing the value of the process, I began to look around me. In particular, whenever I saw friends falling behind in their studies, I would approach them first to offer help, and I would often use short breaks during lunch or in the evenings to give them private tutoring.
What I emphasized most was the importance of the “process” and “planning.” I helped my friends identify their own weaknesses and guided them to create and implement study plans tailored to those needs. I didn’t stop at offering advice; I actively suggested study methods, materials, and routines, and we implemented them together.
Word spread, and more and more students joined us. We formed a study group to share our plans and encourage one another. By checking each other’s progress and sharing problem-solving strategies and summary notes, our learning efficiency improved, and we were able to overcome the hardships of studying together.
Through this experience, I learned that you receive as much as you give.

My friends’ words of gratitude were a great source of strength, and studying together allowed me to experience firsthand the power of motivation and teamwork. Above all, I realized that working together creates greater synergy, and I became convinced of the value of collaboration.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

My involvement in the newspaper club sparked my interest in politics and diplomacy, but I felt at a loss about how to prepare. Then, while covering a related lecture, I gained an important insight from the speakers’ words: since politics and diplomacy are ultimately driven by people, the ability to build strong relationships, respect others, and communicate effectively is key.
From that point on, I focused on learning how to care for others, communicate effectively, and cultivate empathy. I consistently sought out relevant lectures and debates to listen to voices from the field and expose myself to diverse perspectives. In college, I plan not only to excel in my major courses but also to organize study groups to stay consistently engaged with domestic and international political and diplomatic issues through newspapers and broadcast media.
Although I haven’t yet decided on a specific career path, I want to develop my capabilities by meeting and interacting with a diverse range of people in the Department of Political Science and International Relations. I will strive to achieve my goal of serving as a bridge between people in the fields of politics and diplomacy—a role I aim to fulfill through the process of sharing my knowledge and experience, learning from others, and growing together with them.