In this blog post, I will summarize my academic attitude, school activities, examples of consideration, sharing, and cooperation, as well as my career preparation process during my time in high school.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
When I entered high school, I attended a lecture by a senior who had been admitted to Seoul National University despite growing up in poverty. He came from such a difficult background that he couldn’t afford to buy practice test books; he had to work at a store on weekends and weekday evenings to help his mother, and he was also responsible for looking after his younger siblings. Nevertheless, the reason he was able to succeed was his mindset of considering himself “rich.” He viewed the environment itself—the excellent classes I was taking, my good friends, and the high-quality textbooks—as assets, and instead of blaming his difficult circumstances, he made the most of what he had. That story resonated deeply with me, and I resolved to focus on what I needed to do right now and make the most of what I had, rather than feeling pessimistic about my family’s financial situation.
First, I made a conscious effort to always listen carefully to my teachers. I approached each class with the mindset that their words were direct guidance, recognizing that teachers not only deliver lessons and administer exams but also have extensive experience observing students. I made sure to complete every assignment and handout they gave me, memorizing and striving to understand them repeatedly. Instead of buying multiple workbooks, I chose one and studied it deeply over a long period.
Furthermore, I did not use the excuse “I don’t have time” to rationalize my actions; instead, I strove to make the most of every waking moment. I spent my commute solving problems or memorizing material rather than sleeping, and I developed the habit of returning to my desk to study as soon as possible—even if it was just 10 minutes earlier—after lunch and dinner. On weekends, I would mark the parts I didn’t understand from the problems I’d solved and ask my teachers questions to reduce the number of mistakes I made. These small time-management strategies and consistent repetition accumulated over time and were a great help in developing my academic abilities.
Always grateful to the school and my teachers, I embraced the resources provided by the school with joy, and as a result, I developed a sense of responsibility and self-direction toward my studies.
Write about major school activities and reflections
After enrollment, I joined the newspaper club and participated actively. Our newspaper club was quite active; we published a weekly newspaper every Monday and produced a monthly magazine (about fifty pages) once a month. Filling the monthly magazine required a great deal of effort, including reporting and writing articles, so I was always walking around the school, keeping my ears open for potential scoops or news that was essential for the school and students.
Through my activities in the newspaper club, I learned to be meticulous. When conducting interviews, I had to meticulously verify whether the issue was truly newsworthy and whether the facts were accurate. When writing articles, I repeatedly checked to ensure that the sentences matched the facts, and to this end, I developed the habit of always taking notes and jotting things down. As these processes of recording and verification accumulated, I developed a systematic approach to handling tasks.
My horizons broadened as I went out to cover stories. Although I grew up in a relatively stable family environment, living in the same home, my reporting allowed me to meet people who had overcome extremely difficult circumstances and those who had miraculously turned their situations around. Observing them, I learned about hardships I had never experienced and diverse ways of life, and I was humbled by the realization that things I could never have imagined are always happening in the world. My time in the newspaper club gave me the opportunity to engage with the world, and those experiences became the foundation for my growth.
Additionally, a chance interview sparked my interest in architecture. While talking with a successful architect, I realized that even though the work seemed challenging, creating spaces for people and planning cities was the right path for me. I was deeply drawn to the creative and social nature of this work, which focuses on people, so I began researching the field and shaping my dream.
Writing About Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
As I conducted my reporting, I realized there were many stories that couldn’t be fully captured in print. Some of the interviews with senior architects contained practical advice or personal anecdotes that print alone couldn’t adequately convey, and I believed sharing such content with my friends would be of great help. Looking around me, I noticed that many of my friends who were struggling with their studies and considering giving up often felt lost because they “didn’t know what to do.” I wanted to serve as a guide, even in a small way, for those friends.
So, I created a Facebook page under the newspaper’s name and began regularly posting stories that didn’t make it into the print edition. At first, I considered a blog, but I decided Facebook offered faster communication and better accessibility. It took time and effort to organize and post the stories that remained separate from the articles, but after seeing a comment from a friend—“Because these are stories from graduates, they feel more realistic and give me hope”—I was determined to keep going.
As a result, that page became a platform my classmates frequently visited, and I realized firsthand that authentic stories truly resonate with people. Through this experience, I learned the importance of genuine communication and how taking action to help others has a positive impact on those around me. It also strengthened my conviction that my career path in architecture and urban planning should ultimately be work that serves people.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
When I reflect on myself, I believe “perseverance” is my greatest strength. While managing the Facebook page, I promised my friends that I would “post quality content every other day,” and I worked hard to keep that promise until the very end. It wasn’t easy to consistently create good content, as it required refining materials and organizing them for readability, but I posted every time with the mindset of keeping my promise to myself. Sometimes, I even edited and posted articles while riding the bus.
Even when I was a reporter for the school newspaper, I never once submitted a manuscript late. Although I was a science student and not naturally adept at writing, I took my responsibilities seriously and met every deadline. As a result, I earned the school’s trust and was granted permission to manage the Facebook page, which was visible to the public. These experiences were instrumental in cultivating my ability to meet deadlines, my diligence, and my self-directed attitude.
I have set a goal for myself—to become a talented professional at a tax agency with a macro perspective—and I intend to prepare for this goal with perseverance. While I am not particularly gifted intellectually or eloquent, I believe that those who consistently strive and see things through to the end are ultimately recognized. My commitment to becoming someone who, even if not perfect from the start, strives ceaselessly and remains until the very end is at the core of my career preparation.
Moving forward, I will continue to strive to become a professional who can provide tangible help by applying my perseverance and diligence to work that is people-oriented and driven by sincerity.
