In this blog post, I will summarize my academic experiences and school activities during high school, examples of my consideration and cooperation, as well as my motivation for applying to the Department of Library and Information Science at Chungnam National University and my academic plans.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
Throughout middle school, I was a model student who consistently ranked within the top three in my class and among the top 20 in the entire school. However, as soon as I entered high school, I lost my footing. My grades gradually slipped, and when I found myself unable to even rank in the middle of my class, I was deeply flustered and upset. After spending a year in that state of confusion, the report card I received at the end of my freshman year felt like the worst in my life, but ironically, I remained calm. Thinking, “Could it get any worse?” I began to calmly reflect on the causes.
After analyzing the situation, I realized the key issue was that “I was studying the same way I did in middle school.” Middle school exams were heavily focused on testing memorization rather than understanding, so I could achieve good results even with short-term studying. High school exams, however, were different. They were dominated by question types that required understanding and critical thinking—things that couldn’t be solved by rote memorization alone. The limitations of a memorization-based study method were clear.
From that point on, I resolved to redesign my study methods with a long-term perspective. I set a one-year goal and broke it down into semesters, months, weeks, and days to establish realistic milestones. I kept my goals small and specific—such as “raising my grade by one level”—rather than setting overly ambitious targets, and I diligently carried out my daily study routine accordingly. I focused on my daily studies, conducted weekly reviews, and continuously refined my approach by incorporating any shortcomings into the following month’s plan.
As a result, after one year, I was able to improve my grades by three levels—far exceeding my original goal of just one. Through this experience, I came to deeply appreciate the importance of planning in my studies. I learned that a consistent, long-term study strategy is more effective than fixating on short-term results, and that having both a major goal and smaller, broken-down subgoals helps maintain focus.
Major School Activities and Reflections
Having turned to books for comfort and answers since childhood, I participated in the reading club and the library student council during high school. Books were both my teachers and my friends, and I found meaning in my club and council activities because I wanted to share that relationship with others.
In the reading club, we read books, held discussions, wrote book reviews, and sometimes produced videos or created visual presentations based on our work. Through discussions with a diverse group of friends, I practiced interpreting a single book from multiple perspectives, and as I expanded my range of expression, my reading experience became much more colorful. Previously, I was accustomed to organizing my thoughts on my own, but in the club, I realized the value of communication through the process of sharing and expanding each other’s ideas.
On the Library Self-Governance Committee, I was in charge of book management tasks and learned practical skills such as repairing torn books, covering them with new covers, and attaching labels. I collaborated with the librarian on managing book checkouts and returns, as well as organizing new arrivals, which allowed me to quickly access information on a wide variety of new releases. Since the school library places a strong emphasis on stocking books for teenagers, I had the opportunity to explore business and economics books—genres I wouldn’t normally have access to—and, as a result, my reading scope expanded beyond just English, American, and Korean literature.
I also planned a campaign to promote the appeal of books. I organized events where participants could receive book recommendations through a lottery or earn gift cards by writing short reviews after reading a book. I also set up a donation box and launched a book donation campaign under the theme “The Library We Create.” These small efforts accumulated to increase book checkouts and gradually brought friends who had previously viewed books as “difficult” closer to them. Seeing more friends find emotional stability through books was a great joy to me.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
The most challenging part of running reading campaigns was changing people’s perceptions. Breaking the prejudice that “books are difficult” and helping them embrace the idea that “books are fun and friendly companions” required more than just simple promotion. Fortunately, there was a spirit of voluntary participation within the reading club and the library student council, so we were able to continue our activities by encouraging and supporting one another.
I always tried to respond kindly and thoughtfully to friends who asked for book recommendations. For example, I recommended young adult novels, children’s stories, or light-hearted Japanese novels to friends who found reading difficult, and I suggested science books or science books written from a humanities perspective to science majors to help them maintain their interest. For friends who usually enjoyed reading, I recommended unread works by their favorite authors, and for those who were hesitant about books in general, I suggested essays or picture books that combined text and illustrations to make the experience less daunting.
Of course, some students read the recommended books all the way through, while others gave up halfway. Sometimes, students complained that the books I recommended weren’t interesting, but I felt it was meaningful to have introduced even one more person to reading. As I experienced how each small effort adds up to bring about change, I became convinced of the “value of small actions.” This experience made me realize how cooperation and consideration can actually influence people’s attitudes.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I aspire to be a librarian who does more than simply manage books—I want to be a librarian who can personally plan educational programs that help people feel more comfortable with books. I believe the reason many people find books intimidating is due to the prejudice that reading requires only “correct answers” or “seriousness.” I want to play a role in breaking down these prejudices and making books accessible in fun and diverse ways.
To achieve this goal, I applied to the Department of Library and Information Science at Chungnam National University. Chungnam National University is known for its educational environment that emphasizes student autonomy and creativity, and I understand that the Department of Library and Information Science offers a curriculum that teaches not only how to handle materials but also how to utilize and develop information. Here, I hope to build a solid theoretical foundation for becoming a librarian while also developing my program planning and management skills.
As for my specific academic plan, I intend to thoroughly study the foundational theories of library and information science while minoring in business administration to complement my skills in marketing and program planning. Additionally, I plan to participate in various volunteer and extracurricular activities during my college years to expand my interactions with children and gain practical experience. Through these efforts, I will experiment with and refine approaches to lower the barriers to reading and find ways to introduce books in an approachable manner.
By continuing to take small steps every day, I will assess which skills I need to develop and work diligently to become a creative and proactive librarian who can share the joy of reading with others.
