In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic efforts and school activities during high school, my experiences with consideration and cooperation, and my plans for college.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

I used to think that studying was something you did alone. That’s why, even during evening self-study hours, I would ask my teacher for permission to go to the reading room and study by myself. Perhaps because I’m the kind of person who enjoys socializing, I felt it was difficult to focus solely on studying when I was with friends. However, after organizing a study group myself, I realized that as long as we set clear rules, studying with friends could actually create even greater synergy.
Our group consisted of friends who, due to their parents’ circumstances or other reasons, found it difficult to attend cram schools. While none of us were particularly outstanding students, we were all friends who had developed our own dreams and set college admission as our goal to achieve them. Believing that we could succeed together, we started by creating a study schedule and ensuring everyone followed it. During school breaks, we gathered at the library to study and encourage one another.
The best part of studying together was that we were able to stick to the study plan we’d set. Since everyone in the group had a competitive spirit and pride, we worked even harder to avoid saying, “Sorry, I didn’t do well.” This strengthened our resolve, and by sharing each other’s strengths, we were able to save time efficiently. We developed a win-win strategy by organizing and sharing our strengths in different subjects to quickly fill in the gaps in our knowledge.
Through this process, I came to acknowledge my limitations when working alone and truly appreciated the value of cooperation. The habit of studying diligently together while encouraging one another remains with me to this day.

Major Campus Activities and Reflections

My involvement in the student council was the first turning point in my life. Before joining, I didn’t fully realize that I was a proactive and outgoing person, but through my experience on the student council, I discovered my inner strength. At first, I simply intended to participate as a member, but as I continued my involvement, I came to understand the importance of following rules and making suggestions.
I developed a sense of responsibility upon realizing that “safety” is the most important reason students must follow the rules. Arriving at school on time makes traffic control and student safety easier, and wearing the designated uniform allows others to identify us as students, thereby ensuring our safety. As I took on the role of helping students adhere to these principles, my voice naturally grew stronger.
I also worked to promote students’ rights and interests by gathering their concerns and requests and presenting them to the school administration. During student council meetings, we identified specific issues and engaged in lively discussions to find feasible solutions. Although not every proposal was implemented, I felt a great sense of fulfillment seeing how the combined passion of my colleagues and me led to changes in various aspects of school life.
By balancing my role in enforcing rules with my role in leading initiatives, the greatest achievement I gained was “proactiveness.” I realized that people who step forward to speak up aren’t special—they’re simply those willing to take action when needed—and as a result, my interest in the world and in people grew.
Another activity I poured my passion into was my experience as an announcer in the broadcasting club. I was in charge of the daily morning broadcast, so I usually arrived at school earlier than the security guard to read through and organize the scripts before recording. As broadcast time approached, I would also mentor my friends while balancing my student council duties. By maintaining this routine for about two and a half years, I developed the habits of waking up early and being diligent, and I found fulfillment even amidst a demanding schedule.

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

While participating in the broadcasting club and student council, I encountered various conflict situations. I came to realize that most conflicts stem from misunderstandings. Often, emotions would build up and escalate into conflict when we failed to understand each other’s circumstances, didn’t acknowledge someone else’s burden, or when someone felt they were the only one doing the work. That’s why I came to believe that dialogue is the starting point for resolving conflicts.
In fact, there was one instance during a video production for the broadcasting club where a junior refused to follow the instructions of the senior in charge. While it’s important to respect each other’s roles regardless of position, that junior disregarded the director’s authority and displayed an attitude of trying to take over the role. Concerned that confusion and hurt feelings would spread, I took that student aside to calmly persuade them. I also explained the situation to the others involved and helped soothe everyone’s feelings, ultimately mediating so that we could all work while respecting each other’s responsibilities.
Through these experiences, I learned how important it is to make a habit of communicating regularly rather than letting conflicts fester. When we don’t bottle up our emotions and can check in on and share each other’s struggles, we become a strong team capable of overcoming any problem together. Thanks to this, we were able to continue our work in a joyful and meaningful way, even when our workload was overwhelming.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

When people ask me, “What is your dream?” I reply, “I want to become a politician.” While many people associate the profession of a politician with negative images—such as bickering, backbiting, and exacerbating problems—I view the true meaning of politics differently. A politician is someone who represents the voices of the people and protects the community, and I aspire to be a politician who fulfills that fundamental role.
I believe that a politician should not merely pursue personal gain, but should advocate for people’s rights and work for the public good. That is why I decided to major in Political Science and International Relations, and I intend to strive to become a person who possesses both academic competence and the ability to empathize with others.
After enrollment, I intend to cultivate a balance between intellect and empathy. I will build my intellect through campus lectures, discussions, self-directed learning, and asking questions, while I plan to develop my empathy—the ability to understand others’ pain—through various volunteer activities and club participation. Additionally, I aim to gain exposure to diverse perspectives through overseas experiences and practice reflecting on myself objectively. In the long term, my goal is to serve in a responsible public office that represents the voices of the people or to be active in the civil society sector.