In this blog post, I’ll summarize my experiences and reflections on balancing music and academics during high school, as well as the career plans I’ve developed based on those experiences.
Academic Experience and Reflections
Since I had to maintain my grades in general subjects while preparing to major in music, my biggest challenge was not losing the balance between studying and music. When I spent too much time practicing singing, my body and mind would become exhausted, making it impossible to concentrate on my studies. Conversely, when I immersed myself in studying, I would lack time for voice care and practice—this cycle repeated itself. Therefore, the area I focused on the most was thorough time management and planning.
After breaking down my day to calculate available study time, I found that the 30-minute walk home after morning vocal practice, the 15-minute commute to school, and break times combined left me with about an hour of free time. Additionally, I could secure another 30 minutes on the way back to practice and about an hour after returning home. To avoid wasting those short intervals, I decided in detail which subjects to study and what type of study to focus on.
In particular, I prioritized Korean and English, as they required a lot of memorization and repetitive practice. I divided essential vocabulary, idioms, grammar points, and set phrases into categories to memorize, and while solving problems, I created a notebook of wrong answers for repeated review. I consistently followed my pre-planned schedule by reviewing my flashcards and error log during my commute, while waiting in the lesson room, and during school breaks.
As I stuck to this detailed, time-based plan, my grades gradually began to improve, and I gained confidence in balancing singing practice with my studies. As regular study habits took root, managing my time became easier, and I felt much more at ease, both physically and mentally.
Major School Activities and Reflections
The school activity I found most meaningful was the choir. I joined the choir naturally because I love singing, and I enjoyed the opportunity to showcase my vocal skills. However, instead of allowing me to fully utilize my high vocal range, the teacher assigned me to the mezzo-soprano section. At first, I felt it was unfair and was a bit disappointed.
However, as we practiced and worked with my friends to harmonize our voices and blend our tones, I realized how much I had been trapped in my own narrow perspective. I discovered that there were many friends who loved singing just as much as I did, and I truly understood how important it is to bring out each person’s strengths to create a complete sound. Showcasing individual skill and achieving collective harmony offered different kinds of fulfillment.
My understanding of music also broadened through choir activities. Singing together gave me a unique sense of joy and accomplishment, and the experience of connecting with diverse friends was a great inspiration to me. Seeing friends who weren’t majoring in music participate earnestly simply for the joy of singing made me rethink why I sing and how I want to share music.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
As the music club president, I was helping with accompaniment for a performance assessment when I noticed a classmate seemed withdrawn. This friend considered themselves tone-deaf, felt ashamed of singing, and struggled with performing in front of others. It reminded me of my own experience of being scolded in a music lesson, so I couldn’t just ignore it.
So, I approached the student warmly, bought them a treat, and suggested we practice singing together. At first, they were shy, but as I patiently taught them the basics—like breathing and vocal projection—they began to show interest. We continued practicing together in the music room until the next performance assessment. As a result, the student was able to sing much more steadily than before, received a good score on the assessment, and regained their confidence.
Through our conversations, I learned that this friend had long carried the trauma of being humiliated by a music teacher’s prank during their voice change. Witnessing how a single remark can leave such a deep wound and alter someone’s behavior made me reflect more deeply on the power of words. Through this experience, I resolved to be mindful of my words and to practice consideration for others in my daily life.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
My experience in the choir clearly taught me that music is not about “self-promotion” but about “enjoying it together.” While it is nice to bring joy to people through singing alone, the joy of creating harmony in unison with others offers a completely different kind of emotional impact. Therefore, I wish to major in music in college to create beautiful melodies with a diverse group of people.
I believe singing is a field that requires endless practice. While I have a certain level of technical skill, I feel I need to further hone my expressive ability to convey emotion and create a dramatic impact. In your university’s music department, I hope to meet various musicians, communicate with them, practice together, and develop my own unique singing style.
My specific plans include actively participating in performances of all sizes to gain stage experience, and creating programs that everyone—regardless of age or gender—can enjoy, so that more people can experience the joy of music. I believe the value of music lies not in self-promotion, but in the harmony created by melodies and harmonies themselves. Based on this belief, I will practice diligently, share my music with others, and continue to grow.
