In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic efforts and extracurricular activities during high school, my experiences with empathy and collaboration, and my college career plans and preparation process
Academic Experiences and Reflections
The most challenging part of studying was the moments when I had to demonstrate “perseverance.” Anyone can do well if they only study subjects they find fun, but consistently tackling subjects that don’t interest you requires the ability to stay focused and see things through to the end. I believed I had to do well in my studies, and I saw that as a process of cultivating perseverance. So, once I had set my sights on this dream, I made it my goal to gain admission to the university and department of my choice by demonstrating my perseverance.
To achieve this goal, I made a daily plan and worked hard to stick to it without fail. Rather than simply focusing on quantity, I prioritized quality; even with plans like “solving 10 problems,” I tackled them calmly and diligently, without any qualms of conscience. When homework and my study schedule overlapped, I tried to adjust them, but when I inevitably had to work late, I saw it through to the end. My determination to stick to my plan no matter what drove me forward.
What I gained through this process was a “sense of accomplishment.” Beyond the mere results of my grades, the satisfaction of sticking to the plan I had set for myself was a joy far greater than simply going to bed early and resting comfortably. After experiencing that sense of accomplishment throughout the semester—and seeing it reflected in my actual grades—I naturally felt energized starting the next semester. I became such an enthusiastic student that people around me would ask, “How do you have so much energy?” and I developed an attitude of giving my absolute best to everything I did.
Major Campus Activities and Reflections
At first, I wanted to start a club focused on game design and development. As friends with similar interests gathered for in-depth discussions, the idea arose to bring our ideas to life. However, the topic of “games” conflicted with school regulations, and we faced opposition from the teachers in charge, so the attempt ended in failure. I was very heartbroken at the time and even went home crying every day.
Through that failure, I learned to distinguish between “what I can do” and “what I cannot do.” Rather than feeling wronged like a child, I resolved to accept reality and create miracles within the limits of what was possible. As a result, I proposed an “app development club” instead of a game club, and by broadly defining “content,” I softened the association with games. This allowed our activities to expand into creating educational and practical apps, and we were actually able to gain better game ideas from diverse perspectives.
While running the club, what I felt I lacked most was the ability to look out for others. Having grown up as the youngest child, I had a certain level of personal competence, but caring for others didn’t come naturally unless I made a conscious effort. So, I let go of my personal ambitions and set “working together as a team” as my goal rather than “doing what I’m good at.” Once I abandoned the desire to excel as a leader and shifted my focus to moving forward together, I faced many challenges but learned how to care for others and the true meaning of collaboration.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections
Within the club, I established a monthly meeting where team leaders and members gathered to openly voice their concerns. The purpose of this meeting was to alleviate frustrations toward the leaders and suggest improvements to enhance team operations. I acknowledged my own shortcomings as a leader and believed that by providing members with an opportunity to speak up, we could all improve together.
To be honest, that process was also quite painful for me. While there were some kind words, most of the feedback consisted of disappointment and criticism, and it was difficult because there were many aspects I hadn’t considered. Nevertheless, as I listened to my friends’ opinions, I kept thinking, “How can I solve these problems?” and worked hard every month to become a better leader.
Through this process, I learned to keep an open mind. While accepting criticism is painful, I realized it is an opportunity for growth. I received various evaluations—such as that I tend to get fixated on one thing and overlook others, or that while I lack planning skills, I have strong drive—which allowed me to view myself objectively. This self-awareness became the foundation for leading the club in a more successful, democratic, and creative manner.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
What intrigued me most was “fun.” I wanted to understand what people find fun, and I’ve always kept that question at the center of my reflections through my club activities. I worked hard to build a community that generates more fun activities and ideas, and as an extension of that, I developed a dream of creating the world’s most fun game.
To achieve this goal, I plan to develop my skills in language and emotion during college. Since the gaming market is expanding rapidly, I believe I must be able to operate on the global stage rather than focusing solely on the domestic market. Therefore, I plan to learn English as a foundation, along with other foreign languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. Proficiency in various languages will help me communicate with a broader user base and understand cultural contexts.
Another important aspect of my preparation is “understanding emotions.” I believe that only by recognizing and experiencing a wide range of emotions can I design diverse forms of fun. Fun can be found even in sadness, anger, or the small moments of daily life, and understanding the nuances of these emotions is essential for creating richer games. To this end, I plan to meet a variety of people and gain experience through both my classes and extracurricular activities.
By diligently participating in classes and simultaneously developing my language skills and emotional understanding, I will grow into a versatile game developer. Through these preparations and efforts, I aim to achieve my goal of creating the most entertaining game in the world.
