In this blog post, I’ll summarize how my study habits and volunteer experiences during high school led me to pursue environmental engineering, as well as the lessons I learned along the way.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
During high school, I learned the hard way that “studying effectively” is more important than simply spending a lot of time on it. In my freshman year, I focused solely on the number of workbooks I completed, working through several each week, but my grades didn’t improve easily. That experience prompted me to prioritize quality over quantity in my studies.
After that, I developed the habit of concentrating on solving each problem thoroughly and always reviewing my mistakes. I didn’t just list the problems I got wrong; I analyzed why I made the errors, reviewed the relevant formulas, and committed them to memory. To do this effectively, I invested a significant amount of time in my error notebook.
Especially in math and science, I often made mistakes due to confusion over concepts rather than simple errors, so I focused on grasping those concepts accurately. I copied the problems I got wrong and organized them by chapter, and I categorized problems involving mixed formulas into separate “application” and “combination” notebooks. By organizing them this way, I was able to identify which problem types and weak chapters required the most attention.
After memorizing the organized formulas and concepts, I tested myself to verify my understanding and repeatedly reviewed them to fill in any gaps. As a result of studying this way, my grades—which had previously stagnated—began to gradually improve. I learned that even without relying on solving countless practice books or private tutoring, sticking to the basics and studying properly can bring about real change.
Through this experience, I learned that when studying, focus and accurate understanding are more important than the quantity of work or the amount of time spent. Even now, when I study, I maintain an attitude of clearly identifying my weaknesses and focusing my efforts on resolving them.
Major School Activities and Reflections
At first, I didn’t participate very actively in volunteer work because I started out of a sense of obligation. However, as I continued, I frequently encountered not just simple trash cleanup, but also people’s lack of responsibility and poor attitudes. I often saw people casually discarding items that required a fee to dispose of, or easily throwing away items that could be recycled.
At first, witnessing such scenes made me feel frustrated and angry, but as I continued to clean up, I developed a sense of responsibility. As a fellow inhabitant of this planet, I came to believe that if no one else took responsibility, I had to step up—and this mindset led me to engage more actively in volunteer work. I took the lead in picking up trash and volunteered to clean even the dirtiest areas without hesitation.
I took home any reusable items I found, cleaned them thoroughly, and then donated them to local volunteer or charity organizations. Hearing “thank you” after preparing and donating these items gave me a great sense of pride and made me realize that, although the process was hard work, it was also very rewarding.
In addition to simple cleanup activities, we also launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of littering. Through these numerous activities, I experienced the joy and pride of making a direct difference, and my sense of responsibility to engage in even more activities grew stronger.
The most memorable activity was cleaning up the polluted stream that ran in front of our school. A senior environmental volunteer shared the story of the recovery efforts following the Taean oil spill, saying, “The small efforts of many people came together to save the environment.” Hearing that, my friends and I picked up trash from the stream and scrubbed away the pollutants accumulated on the bottom; seeing the water become clear right before our eyes gave me a great sense of joy.
Through this activity, I became convinced that even a small group can bring about significant change if it has the will to act and the power of cooperation. Furthermore, through volunteer work, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of caring about environmental issues and taking action.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
My concern for the environment began by changing my daily habits. I folded my notebooks in half to use as little paper as possible, refrained from throwing away pens and pencils easily, and reduced unnecessary consumption. I consistently practiced small, everyday actions, such as avoiding paper cups and carrying a reusable tumbler with me.
In the classroom, I voluntarily cleaned every morning, paying special attention to the area around the trash cans. I always wiped down and tidied that area—which looked unsightly and could cause hygiene issues—and immediately sorted any accumulated trash to ensure it could be recycled.
As I raised awareness about the importance of recycling, my friends naturally began to follow suit. More and more friends started thinking twice before throwing things away and practicing proper recycling, and those who didn’t know how to sort their trash would come to me for help. The number of friends who conserved paper and used reusable tumblers also gradually increased.
Through this experience, I learned that small, individual actions can change collective behavior. I realized that small changes lead to other positive actions, and that these connections ultimately create greater change. I’ve resolved to continue living a life of active engagement and to become a driving force for change.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
My decision to major in Environmental Engineering stemmed from my volunteer work. Through volunteering, I realized that individual efforts alone have their limits, and I came to believe that an engineering approach is necessary for more practical and systematic solutions. I saw that it is important not only to develop new solutions but also to find ways to achieve mutual benefit by making practical use of existing resources.
I want to study environmental engineering to become a professional capable of driving tangible environmental improvements. The sense of responsibility and field experience I gained through the environmental volunteer club, along with the problem-solving mindset honed through my academic studies, have guided me down this path.
After entering college, I plan not only to diligently study my major courses but also to participate in environmental volunteer organizations to continue professional and sustained fieldwork. I also intend to attend various forums and lectures to gain access to the latest knowledge and case studies, and to plan campaigns and practical projects to test methods that can be applied in everyday life.
Furthermore, I want to expand my influence by meeting, communicating with, and collaborating with diverse individuals who discuss environmental issues, thereby encouraging more people to join the effort to protect the environment. My goal is to build expertise by balancing my studies with practical work and to create sustainable change alongside others in the field of environmental engineering.
