In this blog post, I will summarize my reflections based on the academic efforts I made during high school, my participation in school and volunteer activities, and my experiences practicing compassion and generosity, as well as my plans for after I enter college.

Academic Experience and Reflections

The aspect of my studies I focused on most was “setting a plan tailored to my situation and sticking to it.” While planning may seem like a basic skill at first glance, I learned through my high school experience that consistently following through is much harder. I used to get exhausted and give up after setting overly ambitious goals out of greed, so I practiced adjusting my plans to be more realistic to minimize such trial and error.
I honestly acknowledged that my foundational knowledge was lacking and decided to go back to basics. Because I had neglected my schoolwork while preparing for art in my third year of middle school, my foundations in subjects like math and Korean were weak. Therefore, I focused on filling those gaps by creating and implementing a detailed weekly study plan. Rather than blindly chasing difficult problems, I approached my studies by repeatedly working through basic problems to ensure I truly understood them.
Above all, I made a consistent effort to stick to my plan. Even when I was sick or tired, I tried to complete the assigned study load within my capabilities, always reminding myself that only a plan tailored to my situation and abilities could be sustained without giving up. Through this process, I established a study routine that worked for me, and I was able to improve my grades through classroom instruction, previewing and reviewing, and self-study alone, without relying excessively on cram schools or private tutors.
As my study habits took root, my problem-solving speed, memorization speed, and ability to keep up with the curriculum improved. At first, I struggled to solve even 10 problems in the same amount of time, but now I can solve 30 problems in the same time frame. The process of finding a method that worked for me and consistently putting it into practice gave me a great sense of fulfillment and confidence, and I continue to study diligently every day while sticking to my plan.

Major School Activities and Reflections

One of the meaningful activities I participated in during high school was volunteer work for the elderly living alone. I grew up on the outskirts of the city and often spent time with the elderly neighbors in my community, which naturally led me to enjoy caring for them—that’s why I decided to volunteer. My childhood memories of listening to the grandmothers’ chatter and watching the grandfathers play were the starting point for my volunteer work.
Once I began volunteering, I realized that the reality faced by the elderly living alone was far more difficult than I had anticipated. For those who could no longer use their hands and feet properly due to old age, living alone was a great hardship, and even the smallest act of help was desperately needed. I increased my visits from once every two weeks to once a week, caring for them more frequently and witnessing their difficulties firsthand.
The most significant realization I gained through this volunteer work was the “beauty of sharing.” Watching my fellow volunteers consistently set aside time to care for and share with the elderly, I came to understand what a great act of kindness it is to share what one has with others. What surprised me even more was that this sharing was not one-sided. The elderly recipients, feeling both apologetic and grateful, would try to share what they had in return; sometimes they would offer rice from their homes or give small souvenirs, and seeing this, I truly felt the cyclical nature of human relationships.
The generosity and warmth they showed deeply moved me, and from then on, I came to view volunteering not merely as an activity but as a way of life. The experiences I gained through volunteering became a crucial foundation for shaping my values and inspired me to continue practicing generosity in the future.

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

The meaning of sharing that I learned through volunteer work naturally carried over into my school life. As I realized that sharing and consideration are not one-sided but rather relationships that empower one another, I sought to create a warm atmosphere at school through small acts of kindness.
For example, when assigning classroom duties or taking turns, if classmates hesitated, I would raise my hand first to take on the role, and if the trash can at the back of the classroom was full, I would take the initiative to empty it. I made an effort to approach and help classmates who seemed to be struggling, even if we weren’t close, and I tried to cooperate as much as possible during lesson preparation and group activities.
At first, I thought my small actions wouldn’t make a big difference, but gradually, my classmates began to express their gratitude for my actions or show a willingness to help me in return. As more classmates began to show consideration for one another, I felt the classroom atmosphere gradually changing, which further solidified my belief that giving is a two-way street.
Furthermore, the experiences of cooperation and mutual consideration I gained through the volunteer group proved useful even in conflict situations. I learned how to manage conflicts by striving to understand each other’s perspectives and maintaining an attitude of resolving issues through small concessions and acts of consideration. These experiences went beyond mere volunteer skills and had a positive impact on my overall attitude toward people.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

My motivation for applying to the Department of Health Care Management stems from my deep realization, gained through volunteer work, that knowledge and skills across various fields are essential. I came to understand that to be truly helpful, one must possess multifaceted competencies—not only medical skills but also verbal communication abilities and an understanding of daily life. Therefore, in college, I intend to not only thoroughly study my major but also explore a broad range of academic disciplines.
Specifically, in addition to my major in Health Care Management, I plan to pursue a double major or minor to study the humanities and foreign languages concurrently. I aim to cultivate a deep understanding of people and society through the humanities and develop the ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds through language learning. Since precise communication skills are particularly crucial in the healthcare field, I intend to strengthen my proficiency in Korean while also acquiring foreign language skills.
Ultimately, I aspire to work for an international organization such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and contribute to realizing the goal of “ensuring that everyone achieves the highest possible level of health.” Through my studies and activities in college, I will diligently prepare to become a professional who understands healthcare systems and possesses both people-centered practical skills and an international perspective.