What paths did my high school experience open up for me?

In this blog post, I’ll summarize what I’ve learned from the study methods, school activities, and experiences of caring for and sharing with others that I accumulated during high school, as well as my career plans for college.

 

Academic Experiences and Reflections

While I believe that studying on my own to memorize and understand material is important, I found that sharing ideas through presentations and discussions to gain a deeper understanding of theories was more effective. I observed that discussing a particular logic or principle using examples from foreign universities or teaching methods—and thereby encountering various perspectives—was highly beneficial for learning, so I naturally participated actively in presentation- and discussion-centered classes.
Feeling that class time alone was insufficient, I organized a study group with friends, where we each identified a subject we needed to improve on and studied by taking turns presenting and discussing it. As the presenter, I had to conduct more thorough research and prepare more carefully to convey accurate information responsibly, and through this process, my concentration and self-directed learning skills improved significantly. After each presentation, I also gained the benefit of reviewing the material myself by explaining it verbally to my friends.
Through discussions, we repeatedly confirmed our mutual understanding, filled in gaps in our knowledge, and moved closer to the correct answers. By encountering various logics and principles during these discussions, my breadth of thinking expanded, and my understanding of the curriculum and the volume of material I covered increased compared to when I studied alone. Knowing that there are many discussion- and presentation-based classes in college, I expect that this learning method I acquired in high school will serve as a strong foundation.

 

Major School Activities and Reflections

When I entered high school, I hadn’t set a clear goal, so I actively participated in mentoring programs and experiential activities to explore various possibilities. Through meeting seniors and experts and examining different careers, I realized that rather than simply “finding a job,” it was more important to discover what I was good at and in what situations my abilities shone.
Through mentoring, I discovered that the ability to lead conversations, build rapport, and facilitate discussions is a role that suits me well. Several seniors and experts advised me to make people feel comfortable conversing and to make good use of my ability to understand others’ intentions. Based on that feedback, I consciously refined my interpersonal skills and communication style.
In the school debate competition, I led the debate and achieved excellent results; I even advanced to the regional competition as the school representative and won an Excellence Award. I maintained an attitude of calmly accepting rebuttals and differing opinions while presenting my arguments logically. To do this, I conducted thorough research and prepared by anticipating my opponent’s counterarguments. My efforts to maintain a respectful attitude toward my opponent and prevent the debate from devolving into an emotional argument also contributed to the positive outcome.
Mentoring and debate activities served as opportunities to confirm and develop my communication skills, and I believe these experiences will be valuable assets for my future career and personal growth. I will continue these activities consistently to further develop my abilities.

 

Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections

I often naturally found myself in the role of listening to my friends’ concerns. I believe the reason many friends confided in me was because I tried to understand and empathize with their feelings first, rather than rushing to solve their problems. Sometimes, people want someone to listen to their story more than they want a solution.
Over the course of my three years in high school, while listening to my friends’ stories, I learned the importance of respecting others, showing consideration, and offering genuine empathy. I realized that empathy is not mere agreement but stems from a sincere effort to understand the other person’s emotions, and this is an essential attitude for any member of society.
I believe that genuine empathy and active listening form the foundation for building trust, and that effective communication is only possible when built on that trust. I wish to further study and practice my experience as a confidant to my friends, contributing to the creation of a greater sense of empathy within our society.

 

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans

Through meeting and counseling many people, I deeply realized the importance of communication and became convinced that solutions to social problems can be sought through dialogue. I believe that the spread of a culture of debate and the formation of a consensus based on trust will serve as a crucial foundation for mitigating social conflict and managing various issues. To realize these goals, I have decided to enroll in the Department of Media Communication at Sungshin Women’s University.
What I want to create is not merely entertainment content, but media that serves as a channel for communication between people. My goal is to create an environment where diverse thoughts and concerns are revealed through media, where this serves as a catalyst to open forums for discussion, and where people can share their values with one another. I hope that content found in people’s daily lives will serve as an opportunity to promote a culture of discussion and broaden mutual understanding.
To this end, I plan not only to focus on my major studies but also to actively seek out opportunities to meet a wide variety of people and interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds both domestically and internationally. I will grow into a solo producer who gains practical experience in content planning and production, consistently creates content rooted in trust and empathy, and facilitates encounters and discussions among people.
To become a media communicator, content planner, and communication expert who researches and acts independently, I will be a student who constantly challenges myself and learns by combining hands-on experience with academic study.

 

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.