In this blog post, I’ll summarize what I’ve learned based on the study methods, school activities, and experiences of caring for others and giving back that I accumulated during high school, as well as my career plans for college.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
While I believe that studying on my own to memorize and understand material is important, I found that sharing ideas through presentations and discussions to gain a deeper understanding of theories was more effective. I observed that discussing a particular logic or principle—often drawing on examples from foreign universities or their teaching methods—and being exposed to various perspectives was highly beneficial for my learning, so I naturally became an active participant in presentation- and discussion-based classes.
Feeling that class time alone was insufficient, I organized a study group with friends, and we studied by each identifying a subject we needed to improve on and then presenting and discussing it. As the presenter, I had to conduct more thorough research and prepare more carefully to convey accurate information, and through this process, my concentration and self-directed learning skills improved significantly. After each presentation, I also gained the benefit of reviewing the material myself by explaining it verbally to my friends.
Through discussions, we repeatedly confirmed each other’s understanding, filled in gaps in our knowledge, and moved closer to the correct answers. By encountering various logics and principles during these discussions, my breadth of thinking expanded, and my understanding of the curriculum and the volume of material I covered increased compared to when I studied alone. Knowing that there are many discussion- and presentation-based classes in college, I expect that this learning method I acquired in high school will serve as a strong foundation.
Major School Activities and Reflections
When I entered high school, I hadn’t set a clear goal, so I actively participated in mentoring programs and hands-on activities to explore various possibilities. Through meeting upperclassmen and experts and examining different careers, I realized that rather than simply “finding a job,” it was more important to discover what I’m good at and in what situations my abilities shine.
Through mentoring, I discovered that the ability to lead conversations, build rapport, and facilitate discussions is a role that suits me well. Several upperclassmen and experts advised me to make people feel comfortable conversing and to make good use of my ability to understand others’ intentions; based on that feedback, I consciously refined my interpersonal skills and communication style.
In the school debate competition, I led the debate and achieved excellent results; I even advanced to the regional competition as the school representative and won an Excellence Award. I maintained an attitude of calmly accepting counterarguments and differing opinions while presenting my own arguments logically; to this end, I conducted thorough research and prepared by anticipating my opponent’s rebuttals. My efforts to maintain a respectful attitude toward my opponent and prevent the debate from devolving into an emotional confrontation also contributed to the positive outcome.
Mentoring and debate activities served as opportunities to validate and develop my communication skills, and I believe these experiences will be valuable assets for my future career and professional growth. I intend to continue these activities consistently to further enhance my abilities.
Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections
I often naturally found myself in the role of listening to my friends’ concerns. I believe the reason many friends confided in me was that, rather than trying to solve their problems immediately, I first sought to understand their feelings and empathize with them. Sometimes, people want someone to listen to their story more than they want a solution.
Over the course of my three years in high school, as I listened attentively to my friends’ stories, I learned the importance of respecting others, showing consideration, and offering genuine empathy. I came to realize that empathy is not mere agreement but stems from a sincere effort to understand another person’s emotions, and this is an essential attitude for any member of society.
I believe that genuine empathy and active listening form the foundation for building trust, and that effective communication is only possible when built on that trust. I wish to further study and practice the skills I gained from serving as a confidant to my friends, with the goal of contributing to the creation of a greater sense of empathy within our society.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
Through meeting and counseling many people, I deeply realized the importance of communication and became convinced that solutions to social problems can be sought through communication. I believe that the spread of a culture of debate and the formation of a consensus based on trust will serve as a crucial foundation for mitigating social conflicts and managing various issues. To achieve these goals, I have decided to enroll in the Department of Media and Communication at Sungshin Women’s University.
What I want to create is not merely entertainment content, but media that serves as a channel for communication between people. My goal is to create an environment where diverse thoughts and concerns are expressed through media, where this serves as a catalyst to open forums for discussion, and where people can share their values with one another. I hope that content embedded in people’s daily lives will serve as a catalyst to promote a culture of discussion and broaden mutual understanding.
To this end, I plan not only to focus on my major studies but also to proactively create opportunities to meet a wide variety of people and interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds both domestically and internationally. I will gain practical experience in content planning and production, and I will grow into an independent producer who consistently creates content rooted in trust and empathy, while facilitating encounters and discussions among people.
To become a media communicator, content planner, and communication expert who independently researches and puts ideas into practice, I will be a student who constantly takes on new challenges and learns by balancing hands-on experience with academic study.