In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic efforts, school activities, experiences with caring for others and giving back during high school, the insights I gained from them, and my career preparation process.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
As a freshman in high school, I often clashed with friends due to the unstable attitude typical of adolescence and frequently lost interest in school life. I had almost no interest in classes or school events and considered planning my career path pointless. Then, I was reluctantly assigned to a study habit counseling program run by the school—a program primarily intended for students with low grades or those needing to improve their conduct.
The mentor I met through the program was a current student at Seoul National University, and the other students in my group were very proactive about setting their career paths. My mentor provided meticulous coaching on my daily study habits and offered practical advice on how to explore career options and manage my school record. Seeing how seriously my group members were thinking about their futures made me reflect on how complacent I had been up to that point. I resolved to make the most of the time I had left by managing my school records on my own and creating a career portfolio.
My group members cheered me on as I tried to change, and my mentor helped me where needed. First, I researched the differences between the early admission and regular admission systems and gathered information on which subjects to prepare for based on my desired major. At the same time, I learned time-management techniques and worked to improve my previously inefficient study habits.
The stories my mentor shared—including his experiences with early admission rejections, his journey through the regular admission process, and examples of how he improved his grades—gave me great courage. These stories sparked a new enthusiasm for studying and led me to take an interest in and participate in extracurricular activities—both inside and outside of school—that would help me decide on my future career path. Through this process, I realized the importance of the ability to set and execute my own plans, as well as the importance of a positive attitude toward learning.
Describe major school activities and reflections
While in high school, I was active in the volunteer club “Arumdeuri.” This club was a great source of support as I adjusted to school life, provided motivation for my studies, and helped me clarify my career path. In particular, during my freshman year, I didn’t have many close friends because of my long commute, but through club activities, I was able to meet many kind-hearted friends and create lasting memories.
Volunteering with the club became a source of vitality in my school life, and the positive experiences with my fellow club members translated into a greater drive to study. I came to believe that I needed to be diligent in my studies to become a better person and to avoid feeling ashamed in front of my friends, so I made an effort to practice diligence in all aspects of my life.
In particular, medical volunteer work was the catalyst for my career decision. The volunteer activities included various programs such as CPR training, blood donation experiences, and volunteer work in collaboration with external organizations, and among these, I was most interested in medical volunteering. In collaboration with a student club, I completed the relevant training and participated in medical volunteer work at domestic hospitals for local residents.
I felt that domestic volunteer work was more needed than overseas efforts, so I primarily participated in domestic initiatives. This was because I realized firsthand that there are many people in Korea who fall through the cracks of the welfare system and are unable to receive proper medical care. The medical volunteer program I participated in at a large hospital involved specialists in ophthalmology, surgery, dentistry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and radiology, and there were a very large number of patients.
On-site, I was primarily responsible for registration, providing guidance, and keeping the elderly company. Many people found it difficult to visit the hospital due to financial constraints or transportation issues, and over 200 local residents gathered to receive medical care. Working alongside my club friends, who were constantly on the move, I felt a great sense of fulfillment when patients left with smiles on their faces. Through this experience, I solidified my career goal of working in the medical field in the future.
Writing About Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
During my volunteer work with Areumduri, I participated in the “Youth, Catch Your Dreams!” career exploration event hosted by my school. This event was held at an exhibition hall near the school and attracted many students. Among the various career booths, the “Guardians of Your Oral Health” booth, run by the public health center, particularly caught my eye.
At that booth, there were actual dental hygienists and dental technicians on duty, and I participated in an oral examination activity with my friends. The dental hygienists used a phase-contrast microscope to let us see the bacteria inside our mouths directly, and the sight of the bacteria we observed with our own eyes was striking. The bacteria were clumped together in round clusters, and their appearance under magnification was far from pleasant.
After hearing an explanation about dental plaque, I learned that plaque hardens into tartar within 48 hours. The explanation that tartar cannot be easily removed by brushing alone—requiring a visit to the dentist—and that leaving it untreated can lead to cavities and dental caries served as a major wake-up call for me. As my friends and I checked each other’s oral health and experienced the cavity-preventing effects of fluoride firsthand, I truly came to understand the importance of oral health.
Through this experience, I developed an interest in the profession of dental hygiene and formed a strong career aspiration to become a professional dedicated to safeguarding oral health. Furthermore, the explanations and attitudes of the dental hygienists I met at the booth made me appreciate the appeal of a profession centered on caring for others and sharing knowledge.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
During my senior year of high school, with the goal of majoring in dental hygiene, I gathered detailed information through the department’s website and career guidance books. Upon learning that the curriculum was closely related to microbiology and biochemistry, I devoted even more effort to studying biology and chemistry. Based on this preliminary preparation, I made a plan to fully commit to my major studies once I entered college.
In college, I intend to focus on two things. One is to build expertise through my major studies and become a respected professional; the other is to specifically define the role I will play in society. I want to grow into a healthcare professional equipped with practical skills and interpersonal abilities, going beyond simply acquiring knowledge.
My future career goal is to become an oral health specialist working in a school oral health clinic. While many schools currently operate general health clinics, I believe that as demand for personal hygiene and oral health increases, separate oral health clinics will become necessary. As a health professional responsible for students’ oral health, I want to provide prevention-focused care and education.
To this end, I plan to actively engage not only in my major coursework at the university but also in internships, field experience, and obtaining relevant certifications. Additionally, I intend to continue volunteer work that bridges schools and the local community to develop practical skills and acquire the ability to plan and operate oral health programs tailored to students’ needs.
