In this blog post, I’ve organized the original text of a personal statement submitted for admission to the Department of Law at Kwandong University’s College of Police and Law. I’ve neatly summarized the content, focusing on the effort dedicated to academics, on-campus activities, examples of consideration and generosity, motivation for applying, and plans after enrollment.
Efforts Devoted to Academics and Learning Experiences
As the saying goes, “Studying is a matter of sitting down and doing it,” I believe there is no shortcut to learning. While environments such as private tutoring or cram schools can be helpful, I’ve always believed that ultimately, it is those who persevere and study consistently over a long period who achieve results. Therefore, I prioritized managing my study time above all else. I created a meticulously detailed schedule and adhered to it strictly, and I kept a diary to reflect on whether I had spent each day diligently. I created my study plan by first calculating all the time I actually had available for studying and then allocating my daily study load within that timeframe. I believed that plans based on the vague goal of “studying as much as possible” were difficult to stick to and only led to feelings of self-doubt. Taking into account the scheduling of classes—such as self-study and physical education—as well as my personal condition, I wrote down the available time for that day in my notebook and set priorities based on that. I set my study plan on a monthly basis because I took mock exams every month to identify my weaknesses. Based on the results of the mock exams, I adjusted my study direction and, following that direction, set daily plans to focus on the necessary material. At night, I wrote a diary to review that day’s study material and assess my diligence, and I adjusted my plan based on the time I would have available the next day. Through this process, I realized that by securing available time in advance and setting a plan, I wouldn’t waste that time when it actually came time to study. I came to truly understand why it’s important to make a plan and why I must stick to it.
School Activities (Up to 3 meaningful activities)
“Once a Year, ‘Throw-Away Day’” On our school’s closing ceremony day, we hold a “Throw-Away Day” event where each student cleans out their classroom. The process involves discarding items used over the past year that are no longer needed and setting aside items suitable for passing on to younger students to be donated. Students wash and organize usable items—such as workbooks, notebooks, gym uniforms, and small school uniforms—and place them in the “Pass It On” corner. Underclassmen take whatever they need, and items that are no longer usable are disposed of in the recycling bins. As a result, the classrooms become cleaner, and the burden of cleaning is reduced. Above all, I appreciated how organizing my belongings helped me lighten my own load and gave me the mental space to start anew. I felt that sense of liberation especially strongly when moving from my sophomore to my senior year, and that experience prompted me to reflect anew on the importance of drawing a line under the past. “Hunger Simulation: Inspiring New Perspectives” Another meaningful activity was the “hunger simulation.” Since I often skip breakfast and dinner anyway, the experience didn’t seem like a big deal at first. However, once I resolved not to eat anything all day, even snacks I usually didn’t eat or vending machine coffee became something I desperately craved. It was only then that I truly realized the value of meals and began to imagine the suffering of people who endure constant hunger. Although I hadn’t been very interested in hunger issues before, after the experience, I started donating to Good Neighbors and resolved to maintain a consistent interest in social issues.
Examples of Practicing Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation
“Let’s show consideration to others just as we’ve received it.” The week before midterms, I contracted norovirus and was hospitalized with gastroenteritis. If my class president hadn’t helped me back then, my grades and studies would have suffered greatly. Although I wasn’t particularly close to the class president, he came to my hospital room every day to organize my class notes and summarizes the lesson content. He highlighted key points likely to appear on the exam and provided separate explanations for anything I didn’t understand. Thanks to him, I was able to keep up with the class even after I recovered, and my grades actually improved. Because I received such great consideration back then, I wanted to give back just as much as I had received. When I became class president during my senior year and a classmate fell ill, I put into practice the very same consideration I had received two years earlier. I compiled and delivered class notes and summaries to a friend who was hospitalized after undergoing surgery following a traffic accident, and I informed him of the exam scope. Through that process, I realized that helping others is both challenging and rewarding. The sense of responsibility that came with looking out for others made me more dedicated to my studies, and I felt joy seeing that friend grasp the material well. I came to realize that both giving and receiving help are equally important.
Motivation for Application and Academic/Career Plans After Enrollment
“I want to be a beacon of hope for the poor as a legal professional.” I aspire to become a legal professional. I aim to obtain qualifications such as a lawyer or labor attorney and grow into a legal professional who assists organizations and individuals. The reason is that I want to be a source of hope for the poor. When people find themselves in economically difficult circumstances, they are inevitably cut off from education and information, and they are prone to suffering disadvantages because they are unaware of their rights and legal procedures. My own family has experienced this; my parents once suffered significant financial losses in their business due to a lack of legal knowledge. Witnessing that incident made me realize the true meaning of the saying, “Knowledge is power,” and I resolved to help others in similar situations. “I will study diligently and broaden my perspective on the world.” I have set two goals for myself in college. First is diligent study. I’ve heard that in the field of law, there are many dedicated students, and it’s easy to fall behind without consistent effort. I will study hard to earn scholarships, so that I won’t fall behind and can make my parents proud. Second is broadening my perspective on the world. I will read the newspaper daily to stay informed about current events and frequently visit the library to expand my knowledge through reading. Through communication with others and volunteer work, I hope to gain a firsthand understanding of how society functions. By embracing a more open-minded approach than I did in high school and accumulating a wide range of experiences, I aspire to become a legal professional with a broad and generous perspective.
