In this blog post, I will summarize what I learned and felt, focusing on my academic efforts, school activities, and examples of compassion, generosity, and cooperation during my time in high school.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
While I generally managed my grades well, physical education was a subject I struggled with. Since I consistently received low scores on both regular exams and performance assessments, I felt like giving up on PE. However, since PE counts toward my overall GPA, I needed to improve my grades in that subject to maintain my academic standing.
So, I decided to let go of my negative perception of physical education and planned a personal habit-improvement project. Since it was a promise I made to myself, I was determined to carry it out with a greater sense of responsibility. First, I started waking up regularly every morning and began my physical training with a short run. At school, I changed my daily routine by playing soccer with friends during lunch break and jumping rope in the evenings.
At first, I lacked confidence in soccer and sometimes held the team back, and my basic stamina was so poor that I would get out of breath after just 50 skips. However, with my friends’ advice and encouragement, I practiced consistently, and my skills gradually improved. Thanks to my daily morning routine, my basic stamina also improved noticeably. My adaptability increased, reducing my anxiety about the practical assessments.
As a result, I was able to achieve high scores on my performance assessments. In the jump rope assignment, I successfully completed 100 consecutive jumps without missing a single one, and in the team soccer competition, my pass and shot success rates improved significantly, earning me excellent grades. Through this experience, I gained the confidence that I can achieve results if I take on challenges, developed a proactive attitude toward physical activity, and realized that improved physical fitness has a positive impact on other academic activities as well.
Description of Major School Activities and Reflections
Having always been interested in animal welfare, I decided to start a related club in high school. Founding a club wasn’t just a matter of having an idea; I had to demonstrate leadership by planning activities and recruiting members. In particular, animal welfare activities often involved external volunteer work and physically demanding tasks, so there was a lot to prepare.
First, I gathered friends who loved animals, held a preliminary meeting, and decided on the direction of our activities. We chose volunteering at animal shelters and conducting campaigns both on and off campus as our main activities. During the preparation process, we faced the challenge that it required a significant amount of time and effort—such as collecting materials for setting up booths, creating promotional materials, and researching campaign resources.
Since it was difficult to handle everything with just the club members and regular meeting times, I asked the members to set aside some of their personal time, and fortunately, many of them readily agreed. We worked hard to foster an atmosphere of understanding and consideration when members had personal circumstances, which greatly contributed to the club’s sustainability.
During our shelter visits, we combined activities that anyone could participate in—such as cleaning the environment and bathing animals—with tasks requiring specialized skills, like dog grooming. Since dog grooming carries a risk of mistakes, we shared relevant knowledge during club meetings in advance and learned practical tips through presentations by members who owned pets and visits to grooming salons. We also learned practical skills, such as how to administer parasite medication, which we applied at the shelter.
The experience of helping each other with even the smallest details fostered a culture of cooperation and encouragement among the club members. As the club president, I felt a great sense of fulfillment in successfully bringing members together and leading our activities, and I was able to develop a sense of responsibility and practical skills through the process of managing the organization.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
The animal protection club I founded began by operating booths on campus and gradually expanded its scope to include external campaigns. Moving beyond on-campus promotion, we conducted campaigns at the school’s main gate, on the streets, and in subway stations. Later, we participated as a youth organization in a campaign to raise awareness about animal and livestock product quarantine at an international airport.
The situation at the airport was unique. Since travelers often bring animals or livestock products into the country, quarantine procedures are crucial, yet many people were unaware of the risks involved. Therefore, we took on the task of raising awareness about the necessity of quarantine and emphasizing the potential dangers.
At the airport, people often walked right past our campaign booth, so relying solely on static booth-based promotion was insufficient. We decided to approach people passing through the quarantine area directly, explaining the situation one-on-one to capture their attention. Although we often faced rejection due to people’s busy schedules, which was exhausting at times, seeing people go through the quarantine procedures again after hearing our explanations made the work rewarding.
Through this experience, I learned the power of collaboration and the value of raising awareness. I realized that even with the efforts of just a few people, consistent work as a group can contribute to ensuring safety. I also gained a deep understanding of the importance of patience and consideration when persuading others, as well as the importance of dividing roles among team members.
