In this blog post, I will summarize the study habits I consistently practiced during high school, my school activities, and the lessons I learned through compassion, sharing, and collaboration.
Academic Experience and Reflections
I have studied by adhering to the very basic principle of thorough preparation and review. Rather than making elaborate plans, I chose to focus entirely on class time and repeatedly prepare and review based on the lessons. While many of my friends crammed right before exams or focused solely on solving college entrance exam problems, that approach did not result in lasting learning for me.
The method I chose was simple but consistent. I reviewed by reorganizing and memorizing my class notes, and I prepared for new material by previewing what would be covered in the next class so that I could understand it more easily. Since I believed that studying isn’t something you do just once but rather something that becomes your own through repetition, I devoted a lot of time to going over the same material multiple times.
Because I was so diligent with my prep and review, the volume of material was so substantial that the day would fly by, and class time became the standard for my learning. That’s why I placed particular importance on listening attentively to the teacher during class. Seeing this, my teachers placed their trust in me as a student, and thanks to that, I was able to obtain higher-quality information regarding my school grades and early college admissions.
Ultimately, through the cycle of preparation and review centered around class, I made the material my own, and the results were reflected in my grades. The most significant lesson I learned during this process was that “adhering to the basics is the foundation of growth.”
Major Extracurricular Activities and Reflections
Through my club activities creating natural-ingredient home fragrance products, I learned the joy of creation and the value of trial and error. As I enjoy making things, I joined a decorative arts club, where we created items for home decor based on specific themes or formed groups to bring new ideas to life. I was particularly interested in creating decorative pieces that beautify spaces using natural ingredients, and I worked on these projects consistently.
I produced a variety of works, ranging from floral decorations to clocks and lamps made of hanji (traditional Korean paper) and car air fresheners. I felt immense joy whenever my creations were displayed in homes or classrooms and received positive feedback. During a school festival, we decided to create works using natural ingredients to decorate the space and sell them.
For the festival, I planned a sculpture that combined solid perfumes made with natural scents and lighting. To ensure the light shone softly while the scent diffused gently, I had to find a heat-resistant combination of solid perfumes and design the piece so the heat from the lights wouldn’t cause the scent to melt too quickly. Although my progress was slower than others’ due to these complex elements, I felt a great sense of fulfillment as my idea gradually took shape.
I still vividly remember the thrill I felt when the installation—completed after numerous trials, errors, and failures—received a positive response at the event and even prompted inquiries from people asking to buy it. Through this experience, I learned the importance of persevering to refine an idea and solving problems step by step.
My interest in interior design led me to transform the atmosphere of my classroom, which allowed me to see firsthand how space affects people’s moods and learning efficiency. I’ve been interested in home and space design since I was young, and I’ve always felt that beautiful spaces enhance the quality of life. So, with the idea of changing the classroom atmosphere, I obtained permission from my teacher and classmates to plan the classroom interior.
We aimed to create an atmosphere of cooperation and a positive mindset by unifying the color scheme and arranging bright-colored flowers and plants. As we decorated the space together with my friends, the classroom atmosphere changed noticeably. Students from other classes began visiting frequently, and our teacher remarked that she felt happier the moment she walked in. Receiving feedback that both learning and the classroom atmosphere had improved, I witnessed firsthand how interior design can have a tangible, positive impact on the learning environment.
This experience deepened my appreciation for the value of interior design and prompted me to reflect more deeply on the impact that spatial design has on people.
Examples of Care, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections
The volunteer workshop on making natural soap was a precious opportunity to share my skills with the local community. Thanks to the two years I spent learning how to make natural soap in a club, I was able to collaborate with a volunteer center to teach local children how to make it. Although teaching wasn’t easy, it was the most rewarding activity I’ve ever done.
The children showed great curiosity throughout the process and even came up with unique ideas to create new soap shapes. I drew inspiration from their innocent ideas, but at the same time, I had to manage the class by ensuring safety and guiding their behavior. This process demanded a sense of responsibility and helped me grow.
In particular, while mediating small conflicts among the children, I gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of consideration, sharing, and cooperation. The children formed relationships by both arguing and compromising with one another, and I created an atmosphere that fostered understanding by always listening to both sides and conveying each other’s perspectives during conflicts.
The key insight I gained through this process is the power of “understanding.” When I listened to each side’s story and mediated based on that understanding, conflicts were quickly resolved and cooperation naturally took root. I also realized that this learning process is not limited to children but represents an important value applicable to society as a whole.
While teaching the children, I learned a great deal about consideration, sharing, cooperation, and conflict management. Through this experience, I resolved to act in a way that embodies the value of “understanding” in my future social life.
