This blog post specifically examines how extracurricular activities and organizational management experience strengthen the discipline, responsibility, and collaboration skills required in military studies, and how they provide a practical foundation for fulfilling the role of a soldier in the future.
Writing about academic experiences and reflections
“My personal memorization technique: studying with a structured system!”
My ability to apply knowledge is quite good. Once I learn math, science, or English, I know how to utilize that knowledge. I believe this stems from my mother, who was a math teacher when I was young, laying a solid foundation for me. Consequently, I was confident in my fundamentals and didn’t struggle to apply them. The crucial issue, however, was my poor memorization skills. Subjects like Korean and Social Studies required a lot of memorization, but my memory was so poor that if I diligently memorized one unit, I’d forget another. It was a constant cycle: one thing would stick, and another would slip away. I constantly wondered if there was a better way to memorize and searched for guides, but memorizing took too much time, and I couldn’t overcome this habit of forgetting quickly.
Then, by chance, I recalled an incident from when I was student council president. My grade-level advisor, who had mentored me, noticed I wasn’t performing well academically despite my efforts and asked why. Braced for a scolding, I honestly told her I felt like my brain just wasn’t good enough. She suggested it might be because I lacked structure, advising me to memorize the table of contents first before tackling the actual content. At first, I didn’t understand what he meant. But as I actually started memorizing, I began to feel something. Strangely enough, once I started memorizing the structure, it became a pillar, and the memorization started to make sense within a context. When memorizing Korean history, I memorized the framework from King Jeongjo to King Heonjong first, then filled in the gaps. This allowed me to memorize much faster than usual. Since then, I’ve started studying by memorizing the table of contents first, establishing the framework, and then memorizing the content. Thanks to my teacher, I learned how to apply effort effectively. From then on, memorization subjects transformed from my weak points into my core subjects. I still enjoy studying them today.
Major School Activities and Reflections
“Learning the Importance of Rules Through Student Council Activities”
The activity I engaged in most passionately was the student council, the largest club at our school with quasi-administrative functions. The student council is an elected body centered around the class president and vice president, operating with the purpose of having students voluntarily monitor and regulate their peers’ dress codes and rules. Therefore, although we are students, we must understand the rules better than anyone else. We actually take weekly tests on the rules, and there is a system of direct juniors and seniors where juniors and seniors are not in a hierarchical relationship but rather check each other’s attire and rule compliance. Furthermore, since we must maintain very close relationships with teachers, we thoroughly check our own etiquette and also rigorously check each other’s.
What I gained through this activity was, first, the ability to understand rules. I had previously not understood why rules were necessary in school. I sometimes thought, “Wouldn’t it be okay to let students be free as long as they study well?” and occasionally doubted whether overly strict rules weren’t just exhausting the students. However, working day and night to enforce these rules, I clearly observed that students’ posture and demeanor were significantly more upright when they adhered to them. Their attitude when properly dressed in uniform, with neatly styled hair, differed markedly from their attitude in gym clothes. In other words, clothing helps establish the right mindset. Moreover, keeping their hair neat meant students didn’t have to worry about it, freeing up more time to focus on their studies. When I was a student myself, I didn’t notice these things, but wearing that small student council badge and striving to enforce discipline made them clear. Proper conduct truly mattered, and discipline was necessary to uphold it.
Having realized this, I became even more dedicated to my student council duties. I began making various efforts to help students comply with the rules. At first, some friends misunderstood my sincerity, but as they saw my efforts and how they contributed to keeping the school clean and orderly, many later expressed their gratitude to me.
Furthermore, assisting the teachers also allowed me to appreciate the importance of education. When I understood for myself ‘Why must I do this?’ or ‘What do I gain by doing this?’, my actions became purposeful and shone brighter. That is why I resolved to major in military studies. I aspire to properly learn systems and discipline, hoping to become someone who contributes to the nation. Through department activities, I became even more convinced that I can excel at and enjoy this work.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
“Leading Junior Students as Student Council President: Creating Meaningful Memories.”
During my school years, the effort I put most into for my class was helping sick friends. While actively participating in volunteer activities, I learned first aid techniques from fellow volunteers. Furthermore, by actively participating in and attending various first aid lectures held at school, I gained the knowledge to stop bleeding for minor wounds and handle fractures. I used this knowledge when friends were hurt, and since I wasn’t a professional, I took on the role of immediately moving them to the infirmary. Especially since our school was co-ed, friends in the boys’ classes often got injured. In fact, girls entering the boys’ classroom was extremely rare and even prohibited by school rules. Yet, whenever a boy in the class was injured, I would enter without hesitation to assist them and escort them to the infirmary. Additionally, within my own class, if friends were struggling due to physical discomfort or mental stress, I would help them relax by applying acupressure.
What I felt during these times was a sense of ‘mission’. To be honest, I started doing this because I liked hearing my friends say “thank you.” But as I continued, there came a moment when my friends started taking my help for granted. They even seemed disappointed when I didn’t help them. If I had let that upset me or if I had done it just to get praise, I wouldn’t have been able to keep helping my friends. But I didn’t do that. Instead, I tried to uphold that sense of mission. I believed all these experiences would become part of my training. So, even when friends complained, I apologized and listened to their grievances. Surprisingly, friends who recognized my efforts began to appear around me. I was able to share deep friendships with them and even met a friend who, like me, dreamed of becoming a nurse. We became good companions, walking together toward our shared dream.
Motivation for Applying and Future Career Plans
“My dream is to create a country where I can raise my children safely.”
My dream is a ‘safe country’. Many people, upon hearing my dream, often think, ‘What kind of dream is that?’, but I believe precisely because of that, someone like me must dream this dream. I once traveled abroad, and whenever I mentioned I was South Korean, people were always very surprised. This is because they perceive Korea as the nation most at risk of war breaking out. We’ve become so accustomed to this danger that we don’t even recognize it, but it’s truly the case. The name of that dividing line is the ‘Armistice Line’. That term means a pause in war, not an end to it. Therefore, even though there is a great need for people dedicated to the nation, I believe people are not focusing on the nation. That is why I have the thought that I must dedicate myself to the nation. To concretely realize that thought, and to become a more useful talent for the country, I aspire to enter the Military Science Department at Konyang University.
My greatest dream is the ‘nation’. More specifically, it is a ‘safe nation’. A nation is built by the collective strength of each individual, and I wish to dedicate my life to that strength alongside the nation. I am grateful that I can live so safely in Korea, and I want to gift that same safety to my children. Therefore, I harbor the aspiration to become a fine soldier by enrolling in the Military Science Department. From this point forward, there is still so much I must learn. I know there is much I need to understand, and above all, I anticipate there will be extensive training ahead. However, I intend to overcome all of that through effort, push beyond my limits, and become a more capable and dedicated soldier who can protect the nation. Furthermore, I aspire to earn the qualifications to train such soldiers, nurturing young people who will strive for the nation in the future and helping them grow into individuals who contribute to the country.
