In this blog post, I’ll explore my academic plan for the finance and logistics fields, as well as the critical thinking and collaboration skills I’ve honed through my high school experiences.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

When I received a grade 4 in math on my very first midterm exam after entering high school, I was deeply disappointed in myself. As a result, I took the time to reflect on my study methods up to that point in order to improve my grades.
Looking back, I realized I had been relying solely on memorizing formulas and concepts to solve problems, just as I had in middle school. However, I came to understand that in high school math, simple memorization was insufficient to solve applied problems, and that problem-solving required a learning approach centered on critical thinking.
I had originally developed this critical-thinking approach through essay writing and debates. The key process involved understanding the deep principles and background of a concept before memorizing it, then applying those principles to real problems while considering various solution methods. Through this process, I developed the habit of thinking deeply about problems, and my mathematical thinking skills naturally improved.
Of course, applying critical-thinking learning to math was no easy task. What mattered was how deeply I thought about a problem and how many different methods I could come up with; it was also clear that a solid grasp of concepts was a prerequisite for attempting creative approaches.
I made a conscious effort to break away from the repetitive, type-based problem-solving method I had been using. While that approach was effective for memorizing problem patterns and solving a large number of problems, it proved ineffective when faced with problems requiring applied thinking. So, I began practicing exploring a single problem from multiple angles.
Specifically, I solved the same problem using various methods, compared the different paths leading to the correct answer, and analyzed how concepts were interconnected. Sometimes I identified weaknesses in a solution and tried a different approach; other times, I looked for points where the problem could be solved using just a simple formula. This process deepened my understanding of the problems and was a great help in developing principle-based thinking skills rather than relying on rote memorization.

Writing About Major Campus Activities and Reflections

I honed my English skills through my participation in the English newspaper club. While I was there, I learned that volunteers were being recruited to provide English guidance at a garden expo being held in Suncheon. Although such opportunities typically target college students or the general public, I decided it was a challenge worth taking on as a high school student, so I applied alongside my club members.
We submitted our applications as a team, highlighting our club experience and English proficiency, and fortunately, we were selected for the volunteer opportunity. Although the expo was an international event attended by foreign dignitaries and media representatives, our role wasn’t to serve as the main interpreters for the entire event; rather, it primarily involved providing guidance and explanations to general visitors.
Believing that the preparation process was more important than the actual volunteering, we drew up a detailed plan a month before the expo began and met almost every day. Since our usual studies focused on newspapers and written materials, we concentrated on conversation practice during this time. We imagined situations we might frequently encounter at the expo and prepared appropriate expressions and responses.
For example, we practiced everything from basic questions like “Where is the restroom?” to accurately conveying directions—such as “to the left,” “to the right,” or “straight ahead”—relative to the guide’s position. After compiling various scenarios and responses, we paired up in groups of two and took turns playing the roles of guide and visitor to hone our practical skills.
We also translated and memorized the descriptions of the exhibits and gardens featured in the expo guidebook, preparing to deliver them fluently whenever someone requested detailed information. Thanks to this preparation, we were able to provide guidance and explanations with confidence during the event, and it was deeply rewarding to see tourists grateful for the help we provided.

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

I’ve always been interested in economics, finance, and logistics and distribution, and I learned about an external financial education program through a school announcement. The program took the form of a “Financial Musical for All Five Senses,” which taught concepts of credit and finance through musical theater. Since it was hosted by a reputable organization, I decided to participate along with several friends.
High school students often tend to view financial education as something far in the future, but through this musical program, we were able to truly experience the importance of financial knowledge and credit management firsthand. As we created the musical’s storyline and song lyrics ourselves, we reflected deeply on the subject matter, which helped us understand financial concepts in a more relatable and concrete way.
While preparing for the performance, team members took on their respective roles and worked together. We first discussed the overall structure of the production and collaboratively wrote the script and assigned roles for the play. The story we chose was based on the realistic challenges that high school students might face after graduating from college and entering the workforce.
The script told the story of young professionals who, after struggling to find jobs, decided to open a restaurant together, only to face a credit crisis as the business ran into difficulties. As team members worked together to analyze the problem and try various solutions to overcome the credit crisis, we gained a practical understanding of finance and personally learned the importance of personal credit management.
The musical was more than just a play; it served as a learning tool. While creating and rehearsing songs and dialogue, we learned to coordinate our opinions, divide roles, and collaborate. Through the experience of sharing responsibilities to achieve a common goal, we put the values of consideration and sharing into practice. Ultimately, this activity not only greatly helped us acquire financial knowledge but also served as an opportunity to develop our collaborative skills and sense of responsibility.