In this blog post, I will summarize what I learned through my academic, club, and volunteer experiences in high school, as well as my motivation for attending college and my career plans.

Academics and Extracurricular Activities

Academic Experience

Although I was a humanities student, my math grades were very low, which was a constant source of worry. So, I resolved to manage my time efficiently and study by systematically learning math concepts, principles, and formulas from the ground up. First, I created a daily schedule to manage my math study time and allocated time regularly on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to thoroughly grasp basic math knowledge without wasting any time. During this time, I utilized online lectures to understand concepts I was struggling with.
For the sections I found most challenging—functions and statistics—I started with the basics and repeatedly watched free online lectures to grasp the principles and concepts. I also used a planner to develop good study habits and set quarterly academic goals, which I carefully tracked. Although I really disliked math and found it difficult, I persevered and immersed myself in it without giving up.
Whenever I encountered a problem I didn’t understand, I would first ask friends who were good at math, seeking clarification on topics like how to calculate statistical values or interpret function graphs. At the start of each semester, I set at least five goals to achieve and assessed my own academic progress each term. This method proved quite effective for me, given my previously low math scores.
I became curious about how math is used in everyday life, so I read a practical math book titled *The World Is Math*. As a result, mathematical principles that I had previously found difficult became much easier to understand. Thanks to this consistent effort, my math grade improved from a 5 in my first year to a 3 in my second year and a 2 in my third year, and I gained both a love for learning and self-confidence. I also realized that persevering with the mindset that “if you try, you can do it” is the shortest path to success.

Club Activities

Participating in the school’s public relations club was a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience than I had expected. Although I joined to develop my skills as an announcer, the club allowed me to socialize with seniors, juniors, and friends, deepening my understanding of our school and fostering a sense of school spirit and pride. By accomplishing tasks that would have been difficult to do alone, I learned the joy of cooperation and the importance of teamwork.
The most memorable experience was planning and running the club’s booth at the school fair alongside my seniors. Divided into several groups, we created our own booths and prepared for the event while constantly communicating with fellow members. By listening carefully to those who offered different perspectives, I developed keen observational skills and active listening abilities, and I learned how to objectively assess situations and propose my own ideas appropriately. I believe these skills were instrumental in enhancing my abilities as an announcer.

Event Preparation

For the promotional event, each team consisted of two upperclassmen and one underclassman. We set up booths and engaged with visiting students by playing games and handing out gifts. By incorporating everyone’s ideas, we prepared a variety of games—such as the “Whack-a-Mole” game, speed games, and “Mega Storm”—which successfully captured the students’ interest, making me feel a great sense of accomplishment. Through this process, I realized the importance of teamwork.
One senior and I were in charge of preparing the Whack-a-Mole game. While managing the event, I was able to receive advice from the senior regarding campus life and academics. This advice was very helpful in planning my future school life, and it motivated me to make the most of the time I have left at school.
Preparing for the club presentation reminded me of what true teamwork is, and I realized that consideration and compromise must come first. Small acts of consideration and sharing among us served as motivation to foster a spirit of cooperation, and I discovered that I had grown even more by collaborating and sharing my talents. The values of cooperation, sharing, empathy, and active listening that I learned in the Public Relations Club have become a great asset to me.

Volunteering and Sharing

I had always been interested in volunteering, but finding time in my busy schedule was a challenge. Then, at a friend’s suggestion, I began volunteering at a rehabilitation center, and this experience completely transformed my life. I had previously thought that sharing was a grand and difficult task, but once I actually did it, I gradually felt more at ease about sharing what I had.
Volunteering at the rehabilitation center felt unfamiliar at first, but I quickly adapted and was able to provide attentive care to those with physical or mental disabilities. Watching them, I realized anew that even though we are all human beings and individuals, people with disabilities or mobility issues face many limitations in their daily lives.
Through my volunteer work, I reflected on what I could do to support those in need of rehabilitation, and I shared a sense of pride with the others who had come together with a common purpose. In this process, I realized that volunteering is not something grand, but rather that many people need help. I learned that the more we share, the more we can positively impact a person’s life and drive social change.
I believe we must further spread the spirit of sharing, refrain from looking down on the socially vulnerable, and actively provide practical support to help them achieve full independence. I also learned that material aid is only a temporary solution and can undermine a person’s sense of self-reliance in the long run.

Motivation for Application and Career Path

I applied to the Department of Korean Language and Literature because I aspire to become a local broadcast announcer who highlights the lives and daily routines of diverse regions and exerts a positive social influence. I decided to enroll in the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Gyeongsang National University because I aspire to become an announcer who connects with local residents in my hometown region of Yeongnam, and this led me to develop an interest in media. To me, media is a “link connecting lives.”
My preferred form of media is new media, which is a more advanced form than traditional newspapers and broadcasts and aims for two-way communication. This includes online newspapers, blogs, wikis, videos, and social media. After enrolling in the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Gyeongsang National University, I plan to double major in Media and Communication Studies to explore new media in depth.
I find the structure of producing content through new forms of communication, moving beyond traditional media methods, to be very intriguing. One of my dreams is to compile my personal blog posts and publish them online. While traditional publishing was centered on paper books, e-books and other digital formats have now become mainstream, and many people are making wise use of media.
I intend to make the most of my four years as an undergraduate to build a solid foundation in linguistics and develop the skills necessary to understand the publishing and media industries, all with the goal of becoming a broadcaster.