In this blog post, I will summarize my academic attitude and learning experiences during high school, my major extracurricular activities, examples of empathy and conflict resolution, as well as my motivations for college admission and career plans.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

I’ve always enjoyed studying. I didn’t find it tedious to sit down, memorize material, and solve problems based on that knowledge, so I was able to maintain grades comparable to my peers without putting in too much effort. However, as I approached my sophomore year of high school, I realized that continuing with this approach wouldn’t allow me to pursue what I truly wanted to do.
From that point on, I decided to approach my studies more systematically and concluded that I needed to create a concrete plan. I realized that studying without a clear direction made it difficult to know what to do or how to do it, whereas having a plan allowed me to accurately identify my weaknesses and address them. So, I created a planner and began meticulously recording and reviewing how I spent my time each day.
A lecture I attended on time management was a major factor in my decision to use a planner. After listening to that lecture and actually tracking my day, I realized that commuting and break times added up to a surprisingly large chunk of my day, and I was neglecting that time. I also realized I was focusing too much on math, my favorite subject, and decided to redistribute my time.
By reducing the time I spent on math and investing more in Korean and English—subjects I was relatively weaker in—my grades began to balance out. In particular, thanks to the solid foundation I had built in math, I was able to maintain my grades without spending excessive time on it, and I could feel my overall grades improving as my scores in other subjects rose. Witnessing this change, I reviewed my plan more carefully and encouraged myself to achieve my set goals through consistent effort.

Major School Activities and Reflections

Upon entering high school, I began to realize just how important the role of a leader is. Since every decision made during my school years was significant enough to impact my future career path, I felt I needed to be cautious even with small choices and that I required guidance and coordination from others in that process. That is why I decided to take on the role of class president.
At first, I thought a class president’s role was simply to organize and convey information. However, I learned that the most important aspect was actually the ability to solve problems and mediate conflicts among classmates. During high school, minor misunderstandings and personal ambitions often led to discord, so I made a point of approaching those involved first to listen to their concerns and try to mediate.
I also learned how important it is to listen carefully to others. Since everyone’s circumstances and perspectives differ, I came to understand that communication must be as direct and clear as possible. Through this process, I gradually learned and applied strategies for leading the class more effectively. Although it wasn’t easy, it was a valuable experience.
The trust I built through class activities led me to become student council president. Although I hesitated when first asked, I decided to take on the challenge after seeing my friends’ expectations. As student council president, I learned a great deal while resolving various issues and working to improve my peers’ well-being. By directly experiencing the practical aspects of leadership—such as following procedures, mediating differences in opinion, and gathering feedback—I became willing to accept greater responsibilities.
As I gained these experiences, I developed an interest in leadership and solving international problems, which naturally led me to dream of majoring in International Trade. I wanted to study leadership more deeply, and my determination to tackle broader issues through that path grew stronger.

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

One of the things I focused on most while serving as class president and student council president was mediating conflicts between teachers and students. Teachers had to consider discipline and the flow of classes, while students often wanted to skip classes for events or festivals, so their positions frequently clashed. I tried to understand both sides.
Especially during preparations for festivals or sports days, students would request to skip classes, but teachers often couldn’t easily agree due to concerns about the flow of classes and fairness. On one occasion, misinformation nearly led to a collective action. There was a movement among students to collectively refuse to attend class, and I was concerned that this would irreparably damage our relationships.
I first persuaded the students to understand the teachers’ perspective, while simultaneously representing the students’ demands to the teachers. As a result, we found a compromise: we agreed to end class five minutes early, successfully avoiding the conflict. Through this mediation process, I realized just how important the role of a messenger is in accurately conveying differing perspectives.
As a result, the relationship between our class and the teachers improved, and the classroom atmosphere became more enjoyable. The sense of pride and responsibility I felt from directly resolving the conflict was deeply rewarding, and it has encouraged me to continue addressing even minor conflicts through communication rather than ignoring them.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent. Witnessing the huge success of Korean Wave culture in overseas markets, I realized just how rapidly integration and cooperation in the global market are progressing. As markets become more interconnected, unintended disputes and complex conflicts will inevitably increase, and I believe there is a need for experts capable of resolving such issues.
I felt that my experience resolving conflicts, both large and small, at school was similar to the work of resolving complex disputes that may arise on the international stage. That is why I decided to apply to the Department of International Trade, and I have nurtured a dream of becoming an international expert who resolves international issues through communication and negotiation.
Once I enter university, I plan to balance my classes with various on-campus activities to simultaneously develop practical skills and social competence. I believe that university is a microcosm of society, and the experiences gained there serve as a crucial foundation for developing practical skills. I will build a theoretical foundation through my courses and expand my practical experience in negotiation and mediation through club and student council activities.
Ultimately, to become a professional capable of mediating international disputes and facilitating agreements, I plan to lay a solid foundation during my undergraduate studies and steadily accumulate practical experience in related fields. I will strive to be a student who grows wisely by balancing my coursework and extracurricular activities.