In this blog post, I will summarise the insights I gained from my academic work, school activities and volunteering during my high school years, as well as the reasons behind my decision to major in Child Welfare and the preparation process I undertook.
Academic Experience and Reflections
Perseverance is the key. I believe that academic success ultimately stems from perseverance. I believe that the shortcut to improving one’s grades lies in the habit of pushing through the reluctance to do one more problem, studying one more topic before going to bed even when tired or sleepy, and opening one’s notes during break times to ensure nothing is missed.
I learnt a great deal of this attitude by watching my two older sisters. They always strove to do a little more, to solve even one more problem, and showed me what it means to never give up. Following their example, I too made a consistent effort with the same mindset.
First, I drew up a plan. I set study times on a daily and weekly basis, focusing on core subjects such as Korean, English and Maths on weekdays. Rather than attempting to cover a large volume every day, I determined an appropriate amount that suited me and distributed my study load and time in a balanced manner.
For subjects requiring memorisation, such as Korean and English, I would write down the material to be memorised in a notebook and repeat it during my morning and evening commutes. For Maths and English, I focused on solving mock exam questions to build a solid foundation. The key was gradually increasing my workload. I started by completing three flashcards and ten questions per subject area each day, then increased this by one question per week. By maintaining this consistency, I soon reached 30 questions, and by my second year, I could feel that my study volume had increased significantly.
By making studying a habit and persevering, I learnt that studying is not about tackling large amounts at once, but rather that consistency and gradual progression are key. Through this process, I felt a sense of achievement and developed my ability to study independently.
Description of key school activities and reflections
Through my involvement in the orchestra club, I experienced the comfort that music provides and the joy of interacting with others. As my parents are fond of musical instruments, I began learning the piano from a young age and have since built up my knowledge of orchestral and brass instruments. Because I loved music, I joined the orchestra club as soon as I entered secondary school, and the experience of meeting and interacting with a diverse group of friends who shared my passion for music brought me great joy.
Some of my clubmates had joined because they simply could not bring themselves to give up music, whilst others had had to abandon their dreams of attending music college due to financial circumstances. Their skills were outstanding, and it was heartbreaking to see them forced to set aside their aspirations. Although my family was not particularly well-off, my parents actively supported whatever I wished to learn, and this made me reflect on how I had previously taken that support for granted.
Through conversations with my friends, I came to understand the weight of their realities and the difficulty of their choices, and I was moved by their resolve and perseverance. These experiences made me respect them even more, and the time spent performing together and building friendships became an opportunity to understand and support one another, going far beyond mere club activities.
My encounters with children I met by chance during club activities also marked a major turning point for me. The children I met at a choral competition organised by the city council were mostly from orphanages, and their clear voices and demeanour were so beautiful that they could easily touch anyone’s heart. Whilst practising the choir together, I felt compelled to share what I had, and since then I have continued to meet with the children from the orphanage to volunteer.
Through my volunteering, I was able to build a close bond with the children by accompanying them on the piano and teaching them songs and instruments. As I communicated and taught through music, I witnessed the children’s transformation, which sparked a deeper interest in helping others.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing and Cooperation, and Reflections
What I learnt through my volunteering at the orphanage and my club activities was that even a small act of kindness can bring about significant change. Seeing how meals, small blankets, and clothes provided such great comfort to the children made me reflect deeply on my own consumption and possessions.
So, I began secretly helping classmates who were struggling financially at school. I was class representative at the time, and when I shared my idea with my teacher, they readily supported me. I took the initiative, acting as a liaison with the teacher to ensure that the support was distributed fairly and equitably to those in need.
Through this process, I also learnt about the right way to offer help. I became more cautious, worried that my inexperience might have hurt others, and some classmates reacted sharply. On the other hand, there were those who accepted my sincerity and expressed their gratitude. Seeing their grateful responses, I realised that one must learn both how to offer kindness and how to receive it.
These experiences taught me that consideration and sharing require more than simply handing over goods; they demand an attitude of understanding the other person and approaching them with care. Furthermore, through this collaborative process, I became convinced of the importance of communication and that small actions, when combined, can bring about significant change.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
Children are the future of South Korea, and I wish to be the person who takes responsibility for that future. I believe that when children grow up to lead the nation’s economy and society, it will be difficult to expect positive development if they do not have a stable environment and equal educational opportunities. The more we live in an era where creative talent is vital, the more necessary it is to strike a balance between welfare and education for children.
It is because of this conviction that I chose to study Child Welfare. I have set myself the goal of acquiring specialist knowledge and gaining practical experience in the field in order to grow into a professional responsible for children’s welfare and future.
In preparing for my career, I have focused on cultivating self-directed learning habits. To master independent study, I have studied through habit rather than relying on cram schools or private tutors. I believed that by accumulating experience in self-directed learning, I would later be able to offer realistic and practical advice to children based on my own experiences.
Furthermore, I have consistently engaged in voluntary work, reaching out to those in need to listen to their voices on the ground. Having enjoyed relatively abundant educational opportunities thanks to my parents’ support, I felt that to fully understand the feelings and circumstances of children in genuinely difficult situations, I needed to experience them first-hand in the field.
Moving forward, I aim to acquire specialist knowledge at Sookmyung Women’s University’s Department of Child Welfare and develop into a professional with practical skills, thereby contributing to the equalisation of education and welfare. To achieve this goal, I will continue to study diligently, engage in voluntary work, and pursue learning through hands-on experience in the field.
