This blog post explores how warm concern for the elderly and volunteer experience can naturally lead to the dream of becoming a Korean medicine doctor.
Writing about academic experience and insights
“Early morning hours: the study time that suits me best”
One realization I gained while studying is that ‘not all 24 hours of the day are the same’. In other words, through experience, I learned that within a single day, there are times when I can concentrate exceptionally well, while other times my focus plummets. For instance, my concentration peaked during the early morning hours, whereas in the morning, drowsiness would set in and my mind wouldn’t function well. After lunch, my focus would drop for a while, only to become clear again in the evening, allowing me to immerse myself in my studies. Once I understood my own biorhythm, I naturally began creating and implementing a study plan tailored to it.
First, I scheduled my weakest subjects for the early morning hours when my concentration was highest. Especially subjects like language and foreign languages, which held less interest for me, required intense focus and perseverance. Subjects I was naturally interested in, like math or science, were relatively enjoyable to study. However, language and foreign language subjects involved a lot of memorization and required repetitive learning, making it difficult to sustain motivation alone. Therefore, I strategically scheduled learning that required consistent input into my brain—like idioms, literary/non-literary terminology, foreign language vocabulary, and grammar—during the early morning hours when my concentration peaked.
During the sleepy morning hours, I warmed up my brain by solving relatively simple math problems rather than tackling complex material. Since I found math interesting, I could approach it without much burden even when still half-asleep, allowing me to start the day’s studies smoothly. After lunch, when concentration typically wanes, I focused on review activities like walking or light exercise while recalling what I studied in the morning or retrieving memorized vocabulary. As my focus began to sharpen again in the evening, I tackled math and science problems, engaging in more intensive problem-solving. Before bed, I took time to briefly review and consolidate what I had studied that day.
By planning and executing my study schedule around my natural biorhythm, I achieved far more efficient studying than before. Even on days when I felt unwell or lacked motivation, I could naturally sit down at my desk following my pre-set rhythm and timetable, continuing my studies without major disruption. Through this process, I learned that studying isn’t something you do only when you feel like it; it requires riding a consistent flow and internalizing it physically.
Furthermore, as I practiced learning aligned with my biorhythm, I also developed a mindset to give my best effort in every moment, so I wouldn’t feel ashamed of myself. My resolve to avoid excuses like “I’m not feeling well” gradually blossomed into diligence, naturally cultivating responsibility and perseverance. Ultimately, I came to see studying not merely as a means to improve grades, but as a process of better understanding and harmonizing with myself. I am confident this experience will be a great asset in achieving any future goals.
Major School Activities and Reflections
“Cultivating Thought in the Book Discussion Club”
During middle school, I felt a strong interest in STEM subjects like math and science, so I mainly participated in activities in those fields. Since my after-school and club activities were mostly focused on areas I found interesting, opportunities to read books naturally decreased. At some point, I felt regret that my own reading volume was too insufficient. Therefore, upon entering high school, I consciously decided to get closer to books and create opportunities to develop my thinking. The activity I chose was the ‘Reading Discussion Club’.
In the Reading Discussion Club, I read books with diverse friends, freely shared our thoughts, and continued discussions in atmospheres that were sometimes cheerful and sometimes heated. Through this process, I gained invaluable experience that went beyond simply understanding the book’s content. I learned to listen to others’ perspectives and reinterpret them through my own lens. The most memorable discussion was the one we had after reading ‘My Sweet Orange Tree’. J.M. Barrios’s book was a familiar work, the kind you might have read once in your childhood, so at first, I thought, ‘Isn’t this going to be too trivial?’ However, upon rereading it carefully and discussing it with friends, I realized anew that it contained far deeper themes than I had anticipated.
Through that book, we discussed various topics: the emotional education needed in childhood, the issue of domestic violence, and the communication gap between the parent and child generations. At that moment, I deeply felt the need to break free from the habit of seeing things only in fragments and to cultivate a way of thinking that allows me to view objects and events more three-dimensionally. This shift in thinking prompted me to reexamine many perspectives I had previously considered too simplistically. I learned to break free from rigid mental frameworks and embrace diverse opinions with an open mind. Particularly, issues of violence and education—topics I’d always been interested in—allowed for deeper contemplation. I believe this has positively influenced my dream of becoming a Korean medicine doctor. Given the profession’s requirement to consider both the body and mind, I believe this ethical and emotional sensitivity is an essential quality.
Through this reading discussion club activity, I gained the power to cultivate my thinking beyond simple reading and developed the ability to view problems from diverse perspectives. I also learned to articulate my opinions coherently in front of others, fostering a more proactive attitude toward thinking and expressing myself. Above all, while diligently studying to become a Korean medicine doctor, I constantly questioned myself: “Am I truly fit to handle life, or is studying alone sufficient?” This activity provided me with precious time to reflect on reverence for life, understanding and respect for people, and moral integrity.
The book discussion club was a meaningful experience that positively influenced not only my values but also my career path, extending far beyond a simple club activity. Even now, I continue to read books, cultivating a deeper perspective on people and the world within them.
Experiences in Care, Sharing, and Cooperation
“Helping classmates with their studies as class president”
Science classes are organized based on students’ chosen science inquiry subjects, so most students spend their second and third years with the same homeroom teacher and classmates. My class was no exception, and I served as class president for those two years. Being chosen for the role both years wasn’t solely due to responsibility. I believe it stemmed from my practice of ‘sharing study methods,’ which left a positive impression on my classmates.
While everyone studies differently, I found that studying together helped me concentrate better and work more efficiently. So, I naturally came to value studying with my classmates. I felt it was more meaningful for the whole class’s grades to rise together than for me to get good grades by studying alone. Starting from this idea, I formed small study groups last year, focusing on friends whose grades were a bit low or those who showed initiative in their studies. During breaks, I answered their questions, solved problems together, and helped explain difficult concepts. During self-study periods, we sat together for the full three hours, helping each other plan our studies. During the 20-minute mid-break, we continued learning by doing simple summaries together or using the blackboard to write notes.
This study group started quietly with just one or two people, but word spread, and participation gradually grew. Before I knew it, more than half of my classmates were studying together. Of course, as more friends joined, sacrificing breaks to help became physically demanding at times. There were moments when it felt so hard I wondered, ‘Why am I doing this?’ Yet, as time passed, seeing the friends I helped improve their grades and regain confidence in their studies brought me even greater fulfillment. Especially when I heard, “Thanks to you, I found my study direction,” I felt their sincere gratitude. Each of those moments became an unforgettable, precious experience for me.
This atmosphere of sharing didn’t stop with just a few friends. The entire class’s learning environment changed, and naturally, their attitude toward class improved significantly. Thanks to this, our teachers also showed a willingness to teach our class a little more, creating a virtuous cycle that further motivated the students. It was an experience that went beyond simply teaching academics; it was about growing together, helping each other, and moving forward as one community.
Through this experience, I personally felt that ‘sharing’ isn’t limited to material things, and that simply sharing one’s small talents can bring about significant change. I also personally realized how much synergy can be created by the power of togetherness, consideration, and cooperation. Moving forward, based on this experience, I want to be someone who shares what I have with those around me.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
“The Dream of a Korean Medicine Doctor Raised in a Neighborhood with an Average Age of 75”
I grew up in a neighborhood with a large elderly population, where the average age was 75. Naturally, my parents shared affection with the grandmothers and grandfathers around us. Seeing my parents, the youngest couple in the neighborhood, had a profound impact on me as a child. Because my parents always helped the elderly neighbors, I too grew up receiving much love. It was within this warm environment that I began to nurture my dream of becoming a Korean medicine doctor.
Among the elderly neighbors, there were always those suffering from various ailments, big and small. Given their advanced age, chronic illnesses were common, and falls or injuries were frequent occurrences. Seeing them return from the hospital only to quickly fall ill again, even my young mind wondered, “How can we help the elderly live without pain and stay healthy?” This naturally led me to take an interest in the profession of ‘Korean medicine doctor,’ and I found myself drawn more to herbal medicine treatments that address the body’s root causes than to Western medicine. While Western medicine seemed focused on temporary symptom relief, herbal medicine, by examining both constitution and root causes to pursue fundamental healing, appealed to me even more.
Thus, upon entering middle school, I began to dedicate myself fully to my studies. I knew that to enter a Korean medicine preparatory program, high grades were essential above all else. Studying wasn’t always enjoyable from the start. There were times when it felt tedious, when my body was tired, or when I hit a slump. But whenever that happened, I would recall the faces of the elderly men and women in my neighborhood. I would refocus my resolve by imagining myself as a doctor of Korean medicine, easing their pain and bringing smiles to their faces. Even on days when I didn’t feel like studying, or when I wasn’t feeling well, I consistently practiced efficient study methods I had devised. Before I knew it, the ‘habit of studying’ had become my daily routine.
Of course, all my efforts thus far have merely been preparation to step into the world of Korean medicine. I haven’t truly begun my medical studies yet, but I intend to enroll in your university’s Korean Medicine Preparatory Program to systematically learn orthodox Korean medicine and advance further along this path of deep learning. I know this path will not be easy. Yet, I believe in the dream I have seen, felt, and held deep within my heart, and I am confident I will never give up. For the health and happiness of those I love and cherish, and to share the warmth of Korean medicine with more people, my journey toward becoming a Korean medicine doctor will continue.
