In this blog post, I will summarize my experiences and reflections regarding my academic efforts and school activities during high school, instances of consideration and cooperation, as well as my motivation for applying and my career preparation.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

After entering high school, I approached my studies with a different attitude than I had in middle school. I came to believe that my high school grades and learning would have a significant impact on my life. In particular, after joining the school newspaper editorial board and developing a vague goal of becoming a “journalist,” I became even more determined to improve my academic performance.
However, because I hadn’t sufficiently solidified my foundational knowledge in middle school, I felt I lacked the necessary background knowledge for the course material. In classes like Korean language, lessons often build upon previously learned works or knowledge, but I struggled to keep up because I couldn’t recall those details.
To address this issue, I actively utilized the school’s “Creative Discretionary Activity” period. Since reading was strongly encouraged during this time, I spent my time borrowing educational books from the library and studying on my own. While my classmates read comics or novels, I chose study-oriented books to build my background knowledge for the curriculum.
The books I selected were those with the word “textbook” in the title or books that explained the curriculum content in simple terms. The reason was that they explained the core concepts of the textbooks more clearly and helped me understand the underlying context and processes. On the other hand, I avoided books that were overly academic or presented in an encyclopedic, list-like manner, as they did little to spark my interest or aid my understanding.
Unlike reading only textbooks or study guides, general books written in an accessible style by school teachers or researchers allowed me to understand the process of how the curriculum was developed. As a result, I developed an interest in each subject, and my solid background knowledge greatly helped me understand the lessons.

Major School Activities and Reflections

As I enjoyed reading newspapers and engaging in reporting activities, I naturally joined the school newspaper editorial board. During middle school, I worked as an external student reporter, covering the school’s economics club and current affairs, and participating in discussions. I particularly enjoyed the process of developing my ideas through interactions with others during that time.
Upon joining the school newspaper editorial board, I met friends with diverse interests, and since I wanted to try reporting firsthand, I applied to the reporting department. While the editorial department primarily polishes submitted articles and lays them out attractively in the newspaper, I made a point of maintaining good communication with them as well, given the frequent collaboration with the reporting department.
The reporting department was subdivided into sections such as teacher columns, external articles, special features, student work, class news, and the culture section. I chose the Culture Department, which allowed me to go out into the field to cover exhibitions, fairs, and author interviews. The Culture Department appealed to me because it offered a wide range of activities and required me to visit locations in person and turn my observations and experiences into articles.
Through my work in the Culture Department, I gained diverse experiences outside of school, such as visiting a Gauguin exhibition with friends, covering a travel fair, and interviewing a bestselling author. Meeting people active in society in person was a fresh experience, and the process of going out with friends to cover these events felt like a lesson in how society works.
Above all, it was very rewarding to organize what I saw, heard, and felt to recommend cultural news and share information with other students. Through these experiences, I gained confidence in a career as a culture reporter—going beyond simply writing articles—and my dream of working as a culture reporter at an actual newspaper became more concrete.

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

The first aid techniques I learned in high school health class were a great help when I actually had to deal with an emergency. During class, we paired up in groups of two to practice administering first aid to each other, learning skills we could use in real life, and I paid close attention because I knew these skills would be helpful in actual situations.
My interest in first aid stemmed from my experience caring for my younger sibling, who frequently fainted due to narcolepsy. Therefore, I made a conscious effort to thoroughly understand the material in health class so that I could respond appropriately whenever help was needed.
One day, a classmate suddenly collapsed while giving a presentation in the classroom. I was sitting right in front of my friend, and as I watched them fall toward me, I realized I had to act quickly. My friend’s body stiffened momentarily and began to convulse, and the atmosphere around us was filled with panic and tension.
Following what I had learned in health class, I first gathered some blankets and spread them on the floor so my friend could lie in a stable position. I then performed first aid, helping to clear their airway and make breathing easier. Although my friend had some foam coming from their mouth, their condition improved after the first aid, and they began to breathe deeply.
Even while I was administering first aid, the friends around me quickly took on their respective roles. They brought blankets, and when strength was needed, several of them worked together to help lay my friend down. One friend ran to the faculty office to notify the teacher and called 119 on a cell phone to report the situation. Thanks to this swift cooperation, the ambulance arrived quickly, and my friend received appropriate treatment in the emergency room; fortunately, there were no serious complications.
Through this experience, I learned firsthand that composure in a crisis, cooperation from those around you, and small acts of consideration can even save a person’s life. Since then, I have resolved to be someone who does not hesitate to help others if an emergency arises in my daily life.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

My family environment instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and a caring attitude. Growing up in a large family, I often took on the role of the middle child. Since my older brother began his career early and was frequently away from home, the responsibility for daily care often fell to me. In particular, the experience of caring for my sick younger sibling deepened my sense of responsibility and my caring nature.
My older brother began his entertainment career in high school and worked as a singer promoting our culture overseas. Watching my brother’s career, I developed a desire to play a role in introducing and promoting our culture to the world, which led me to set a concrete career path: to become a culture reporter and cover and disseminate cultural content.
In college, I plan to major in Journalism and Mass Communication to build the knowledge and skills necessary for a career as a culture reporter. After graduation, I hope to work in the field and introduce the diverse aspects of the Korean Wave and our culture to an international audience. Furthermore, I intend to consistently maintain my academic performance and skills throughout college so that I can enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
As I have younger siblings at home, I aim to set an example by sharing college admissions information and study methods with them. Moving forward, I aspire to become a competitive journalist grounded in creativity and responsibility, serving as a role model for my juniors. If necessary, I also hope to contribute to cultural exchange by leveraging the experiences I’ve gained with my older brother.