How did your high school experience help you grow and decide on your career path?

In this blog post, I’ll discuss my study habits, school activities, experiences with conflict resolution, and my plans for college.

 

Writing about my academic experiences and reflections

I once attended a cram school. It was a place known for its reputation, and I was initially excited because their system involved a placement test followed by immediate enrollment in classes. However, after observing a few sessions, I realized it was merely an extension of my school classes and lacked the atmosphere of personalized instruction. Even after class ended, we would spend hours in the same space with friends, repeating the same material over and over, and I came to feel that this approach wasn’t necessarily what I needed.
Instead of going to a cram school, I decided to form a study group with diligent friends who shared the same goals. I also figured that if there was anything I didn’t understand, I could simply ask my school teachers directly to resolve it. So, starting from the summer vacation of my first year, I gathered friends to organize a study group and we established rules together on how to study.
Our team decided to use the same workbook for subjects where memorization is key, such as English and the language section. On the other hand, for Math and Science, where there were differences in individual skill levels, we agreed that each person would choose a workbook suited to their own level, but we would solve the same number of problems to keep pace and check each other’s progress. After establishing these principles, we gathered at the library every day to study together.
To maintain discipline, we created a so-called “penalty account” to serve as a warning to those who were late, didn’t do their homework, or talked during our meetings. Additionally, we assigned each member a subject they were good at, and the person in charge would explain any parts that needed clarification. Thanks to this structure, we were able to study in a way that leveraged each other’s strengths and compensated for our weaknesses.
As a result of studying this way, our grades improved significantly. Without the help of outside tutors, we were able to establish study habits by setting and following our own rules, and above all, we developed the ability to study independently. I strongly felt that the mutual sense of responsibility among team members served as a driving force for our learning.

 

Major School Activities and Reflections

During high school, I poured a great deal of passion into my activities in the broadcasting club. I participated by personally planning and producing the morning broadcast, imagining the students listening to it. The preparation process was not easy, and especially for events like festivals or sports days, I had to do much more work than others. Although it was that difficult, the sense of pride I felt when hearing the finished product was a joy that could not be replaced by anything else.
The work in the broadcasting club was all about teamwork. Only when everyone—the friend in charge of sound, the friend writing the scripts, the friend overseeing the whole production as the producer, and the friends serving as voice actors and announcers—fulfilled their respective roles could a broadcast be completed. I used to think that working alone would be easier than team activities, but I came to realize just how fun and rewarding it is to achieve something as a team.
One of the best aspects of the broadcasting club was the relationship between seniors and juniors. At first, the strict guidance from seniors who were just one year older felt a bit overwhelming, but thanks to that, I was able to quickly learn how to operate the equipment and read broadcast cue sheets. The seniors were generous not only with broadcasting skills but also with advice on career choices, which was a huge help when I was struggling with my studies and future plans. Maintaining regular contact with graduated seniors has also become a valuable asset.
Another important activity was hosting a monthly segment where I interviewed graduated seniors. Listening to the stories of seniors from various departments broadened my perspective on career paths, and the relentless spirit of challenge and practical experience of the Business Administration seniors, in particular, inspired me greatly. Their lives and challenges were the decisive factor that led me to decide to major in Business Administration.

 

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections

During my sophomore year, I served as class president and took the lead on various class matters. The most memorable experience was mediating a conflict between classes that arose during the school sports day. A few of my classmates had mingled with students from another class, but the other class misunderstood this, thinking we had come to steal their cheers or strategies. This misunderstanding grew, eventually escalating into an emotional confrontation.
At first, I thought I should let the boys sort it out themselves, but as the situation worsened, I stepped in and suggested a dialogue. I met with each of the students involved from our class one by one to calmly listen to and sort out the details of the incident. During that process, I determined that there were areas where we needed to admit our mistakes and apologize first, and convincing them of this was the most difficult part.
To persuade the hurt friends, I spoke with each of them individually, giving specific examples to explain why we needed to apologize first. As I patiently continued to persuade them, more and more friends began to agree, and eventually, we were able to arrange a meeting for reconciliation. The reconciliation happened quickly once it began, and the other side also extended a hand of friendship.
Through this experience, I learned the importance of persuasion and dialogue. I realized that sometimes it takes courage to set aside emotions for a moment, take a step back, and assess the situation, and that to resolve group conflicts, a leader must take responsibility first and lead the conversation.

 

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

I dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Because I have a strong spirit of challenge and enjoy the process of planning and realizing new ideas, I want to study business administration and take on various business ventures. At university, I plan to build my business knowledge based on the curriculum of the Department of Business Administration at Sejong University, and I intend to cultivate practical experience and leadership by participating in school-sponsored startup programs, overseas study tours, and volunteer activities.
If given the opportunity, I would also like to start my own business. Although I have not yet decided on a specific industry, my goal is to become a well-prepared professional equipped with the practical skills to manage funds and drive sales by accumulating diverse experiences and knowledge. Through this, I ultimately aspire to become an entrepreneur who brings honor to South Korea.

 

About the author

Cam Tien

I love things that are gentle and cute. I love dogs, cats, and flowers because they make me happy. I also enjoy eating and traveling to discover new things. Besides that, I like to lie back, take in the scenery, and relax to enjoy life.