In this blog post, I’ll summarize my reflections and preparation process, focusing on my academic attitude, school activities, and experiences with consideration and cooperation during my time in high school.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

I felt that I didn’t have many natural talents. I’m not the type of person who can grasp everything after just one look, nor am I someone who can fully understand everything after just one look. So, I decided I needed to cultivate two qualities that would set me apart from others: “diligence” and “honesty.”
To me, “diligence” meant developing the habit of studying consistently every day. After realizing that high school studies aren’t the kind of thing where you can see results by cramming for just a day or two, I chose to live a life of making and sticking to plans. In the morning, I would take one English practice test; in the evening, I would take one Korean and one math practice test each; and at home, I would review my social studies material. During every break, I reviewed the practice test questions, and if I felt I didn’t have enough study time, I would cut back on sleep to complete my planned workload. I never skipped homework or class material either. I studied so consistently that I wouldn’t go to sleep until I had fulfilled the commitments I had made to myself.
Another principle was “honest” studying. While some of my friends would rush through problems and claim they were “done,” I didn’t do that. Before starting my studies, I would calm my mind through prayer and approach each problem with the right attitude and sincere effort. Through the process of solving my homework on my own—without copying—and accepting the results, I was able to focus more on my efforts for tomorrow rather than on dissatisfaction with my grades.

Write about major school activities and your reflections

Since there was no prayer group at our school, we used to go to a neighboring school to attend worship services. Every time that happened, I wished our school had a prayer group too, and I asked myself why I hadn’t taken the initiative to start one myself. At first, I was afraid—I wondered who would actually come, who would lead the service and sing the hymns, and whether I could handle the responsibility. However, once I gained confidence through prayer, I proposed the idea to my friends, and to my surprise, they readily agreed. Many told me, “We’ll feel at ease if you take the lead,” and that support gave me great strength.
We began to form a small group. We selected a friend to provide musical accompaniment, formed a worship team, and asked everyone to pray for those who would attend. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, we began our first gathering, having prepared snacks and notes with Scripture verses. Starting with just over 15 people, our group gradually grew, and it eventually became a regular monthly gathering where we invite a pastor to lead worship. I still lead those services today, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to do so.
The relief ministry we faithfully carried out was particularly meaningful among our activities. The pastor who led worship with us at our gatherings mentioned that he was going to do relief work in a shantytown, and we offered to join him. During the Christmas holiday, we visited the shantytown to clean the rooms of the elderly residents and pray for them; the living conditions there were far worse than we could have imagined. As we cleaned rooms filled with all kinds of insects and filth, I deeply realized how indifferent I had been to those around me, and how many people live in such difficult conditions. That experience made me realize even more urgently the need for prayer and action toward others.

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

While leading the prayer group, we often clashed with other clubs. As our group grew, members of other clubs sometimes became jealous or wary of us, saying things like, “We can’t carry out our activities properly because of your group.” At first, I was flustered because I didn’t know how to respond, but one day, a Bible verse I read gave me the conviction that “it is a blessing to be patient if it allows us to show the Lord’s grace.” From then on, I chose to be patient so as not to provoke others.
Some friends even said outright that they disliked us, and others complained about the noise. In those situations, I always apologized unconditionally; I did not hate them but instead prayed for their well-being. Through the process of continually apologizing and praying, I learned to control my emotions and realized how important it is to maintain an attitude of seeking to restore relationships in times of conflict.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

Through these experiences, I developed a firm belief in my dream. At first, I was afraid, wondering, “Can I really study theology?” I felt it would be difficult to handle because I believed theology is not merely the study of knowledge but a path that requires the Lord’s grace. However, my experiences of organizing and leading prayer meetings, serving others, and participating in relief ministry gradually gave me confidence.
Specifically, I have cultivated the mindset and attitude necessary for theological study and pastoral life through my experience serving others by organizing gatherings, arranging musical accompaniment, and leading worship; through my experience preparing for worship services, including regular services and inviting pastors; and through my experience gaining a firsthand understanding of on-the-ground needs while volunteering in shantytowns. Furthermore, my efforts to restore relationships through patience and apology in times of conflict have served as essential training for caring for the community.
Moving forward, I will continue to build my theological foundation through prayer and diligent study, and I will prepare myself with a mindset to apply what I have learned while serving people in real-world ministry settings. Although it will be a difficult and challenging path, I am preparing for my future career with the resolve to move forward one step at a time, guided by prayer.