In this blog post, based on the personal statement of a student applying to the Department of Art Education at Kongju National University, we summarize and present the applicant’s academic efforts during high school, school activities, examples of consideration and cooperation, career goals, and academic plans for college.

Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School

Believing that I had to balance both art and academics, I was always in a rush. At times, even while working hard on my art, I felt I couldn’t neglect my studies, so I struggled to juggle both areas and felt a great deal of stress as a result. If I focused on art, I felt like I was neglecting my studies, and if I focused on my studies, I felt like I was neglecting my art. The turning point that helped me find my balance came when I set a limit of “10 problems.” After listing the subjects I needed to study, I decided to solve 10 problems from each subject every day. I promised myself that no matter how tired I was—even on days when I came home after spending eight hours drawing—I would definitely solve those 10 problems. Even if I had time left over, I would first finish the 10 problems before taking a break. Thanks to this, I was able to maintain a balance between my studies, arts and physical education, and rest to some extent, and I was able to steadily improve my skills.
During school breaks, I focused on catching up on the units where I was lacking. Even then, I stuck to my “10-problem” rule, but instead of solving 10 problems per subject area as I did during the semester, I consistently worked on 10 problems per specific unit where I was weak. For example, in the language section, if I was weak in phonological changes or loanwords, I would solve 10 problems on those topics every day to improve. In the foreign language section, since I struggled with grammar and long reading comprehension passages, I solved 10 problems for each question type to become familiar with them. As a result, my grades gradually improved.
In this way, I built up my skills by consistently solving problems during both school breaks and the regular school term. Although I didn’t attend any cram schools or take private lessons, I believed that consistency builds ability, so I studied diligently every day.

Extracurricular activities I participated in with dedication during high school (up to 3)

The club I was active in was a manga club called “Nemo.” “Nemo” refers to all paper in the world. Whether it’s drawing paper, stationery, or poster paper, the sizes may vary, but we draw comics on rectangular sheets of paper, and the panels themselves are also rectangular. That’s why we named the club “Nemo,” and we participated with a love for the rectangle as a tool that allows us to draw without boundaries. Through drawing various illustrations and enjoying our activities within the club, I experienced significant personal growth.
First, I discovered the joy of drawing itself. I had been studying traditional Korean painting since middle school and had been preparing to major in a related field. Upon entering high school, I prepared for my practical art exams with the dream of becoming an art teacher, but there was also a risk that art might become merely a tool for academic achievement. Although I started out for fun, art could have become something I feared if I’d felt the pressure of “having to” do it. However, through my club activities, I reaffirmed that art is still the means of self-expression that brings me the greatest happiness. The very fact that friends who draw for various reasons gathered to communicate freely without boundaries was a source of great joy in itself. Thanks to the club’s atmosphere, which focused on expression rather than competition and encouraged one another, drawing has remained my greatest source of happiness and means of self-expression.
Second, I experienced the joy of giving. As befits a manga club, we frequently created animations or built models, and we would take the finished products to the kindergarten attached to our school to distribute them or organize days where we made models together with the kindergarteners. Even though they were small things, I felt a sense of innocence in the children as they enjoyed the joy of creating together, and I was deeply moved by the kindergarten teachers who helped support our activities. There were many times when I actually felt rejuvenated after returning from volunteer activities.
The club also served as a place for me to test my leadership skills. As president, I took on the role of guiding younger members. Comforting and guiding those who were worried about school life or their future careers gave me an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a leader.

Examples of Practicing Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management, and What I Learned

The collaborative activities I mainly participated in at school included designing school bulletin boards, assisting with poster and slogan displays, and participating in classroom beautification efforts. Whenever there were art-related projects at school, I tried to participate as much as possible. Although the personal gains from the projects I led were not significant, I made a point of participating wherever my skills could be put to use. At the beginning of each school year, when classroom beautification took place, I did my best for my class and used spare moments during breaks to decorate our classroom bulletin board. I designed it in a cute way so that students could feel a little joy even amid the demanding high school life by creating a bulletin board that was easy for them to use.
Also, whenever there was a school exhibition, I would gather with club members and friends to brainstorm ways to make the display more attractive and user-friendly, creating picture frames and exhibition posters. When preparing bulletin boards or exhibitions, I put my head together with members of other clubs to find better solutions. I participated in as many art-related projects as possible.
What I felt throughout this process was the joy of helping others. Sometimes people ask me, “What do you get out of working so hard?” There were certainly no direct benefits, such as financial compensation or extra credit. However, there was a different kind of fulfillment. I secretly felt a sense of pride when I saw students conveniently using the bulletin boards I had created, and I was happy when I heard them say, “That’s cute.” Even without direct benefits, there was a joy that fulfilled my heart, which is why I participated every year—almost as if volunteering—in decorating bulletin boards and setting up exhibitions.

Career Goals, Motivation for Application, and Academic Plans After Entering College

The reason I love art is that I feel art is “happiness” itself. While few people find happiness through writing, drawing has the power to make people happy simply by the act of creating. People enjoy expressing themselves freely, and children are no exception. My desire to connect with students through art was stronger than my desire to simply be good at art. That desire went beyond simply choosing a major and led me to the Department of Art Education, prompting me to apply to the Department of Art Education at Kongju National University, which has a strong tradition in teacher education.
Once admitted, I want to study diligently while also taking full advantage of the diverse opportunities available. I’ve heard that there are far more diverse volunteer opportunities in college than in high school, and I hope to participate in such activities alongside my studies to meet a variety of people and gain experience. For example, by organizing Christmas parties for children on remote islands or providing animation production opportunities to students in the Seoul metropolitan area who are exhausted from their studies, I aim to understand through various volunteer activities how children become happier and more active. Through this, I hope to grow into a true teacher.
Ultimately, I want to become an art teacher who can instill “happiness” in my students. I believe that personal maturity is essential to achieving this. I must grow into someone who can embrace and understand others, and I intend to pursue this development at Kongju National University.