I’m a high school senior in South Korea, and I spend about 10 hours a day studying, including weekends.
I know that probably sounds insane to people in other countries, but it’s pretty normal here, especially if you’re trying to get into a good university.
Here’s what my schedule looked like the other day.
I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and got to school at 7:30. Classes and lunch took up the day until 4 p.m. Then I had another hour and a half of studying after school. I got a break for dinner, and from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., I was preparing for university admission interviews.
And then I got to do it all over again.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Korean university system, getting into college isn’t always just about your grades or entrance exam scores. Some universities also require interviews as part of the admissions process. Depending on the university and program, you might be asked about your academic record, why you want to study a particular subject, or how you would approach a problem. Some interviews test your ability to think through unfamiliar questions on the spot.
So yes, we actually spend time preparing for those interviews. I’ve even attended a private academy specifically for that.
These private academies are called hagwons, and they’re a huge part of Korean education. You go to regular school, and then you go somewhere else to study even more. During high school, I’ve attended hagwons for math, Korean, and interview preparation. I’ve also had private tutoring in science.
My family is upper-middle-class, so I’m fortunate that my parents can afford these things. Not every student has access to the same resources, and money definitely makes a difference.
There’s a lot of competition to get into the best universities. You’ve probably heard of SKY, which stands for Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. They’re considered three of the most prestigious universities in the country.
Getting into one of these schools can give you an advantage when looking for a job, although that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed an amazing career. You’re still competing against people who went to the same prestigious school as you, and some of them will inevitably do better.
Medicine is also an extremely popular career choice right now. So many students want to become doctors, partly because of the economy and the financial security that comes with the profession.
Personally, I want to study biomedical engineering and hopefully become a researcher working in digital healthcare. I’m interested in that field, so at least I have something I’m genuinely working toward.
People sometimes ask how I deal with all the academic pressure. Usually I take a walk along the Han River in Seoul, or I sit down and plan out my next week. Having everything organized helps.
It’s not like I spend every waking moment studying, though. I’ve had hobbies, too. I attended an art hagwon for almost six years and participated in a lot of competitions. I really enjoyed that experience.
And despite what Korean dramas might make you think, our schools aren’t full of students getting into dramatic fistfights every day.
Bullying definitely happens, and there have been some terrible cases in the news, but I think television exaggerates how common the really extreme stuff is. Cyberbullying is a bigger problem than many people realize.
I experienced cyberbullying myself. It didn’t affect me too badly in the long run, but there was a period when I actually became scared of notifications on my phone because I associated them with being bullied.
Students still date and have relationships, by the way. In fact, I think some neighborhoods with especially academically competitive schools have quite a lot of couples. Maybe having a boyfriend or girlfriend helps people deal with the stress.
Another thing people ask about is North Korea. Honestly, most South Koreans don’t spend much time worrying about it. When North Korea tests another missile, it’s not something that causes everyone to panic. We’re pretty used to hearing about it.
Something that might surprise Americans is that I’m really looking forward to college because I expect it to be less stressful than high school.
In Korea, university is often seen as the time when you finally get to enjoy yourself. You spend so many years studying to get into a good school that actually being there can feel like a relief.
I know American students often talk about how difficult college is, but here the really intense pressure can come before you even get there.
I actually attended an American public school for more than a year when I was in elementary school, so I’ve experienced a little of both education systems. I speak Korean and English fluently.
One funny thing about learning English in Korea is that the English section of our university entrance exam can be ridiculously difficult. It doesn’t always have much to do with how well you can actually communicate in English. Even someone who speaks English fluently can find those questions challenging.
If money weren’t an issue, I probably would have considered attending university in the United States. But American tuition is expensive, so I’m planning to stay in Korea.
I’m also not particularly optimistic about some parts of adult life here.
Housing prices are extremely high, and a lot of people my age are frustrated with the economy and worried about finding good jobs. There’s a reason so many students are aiming for professions like medicine.
Someone asked me how many children I want to have when I’m older, and my answer was zero. Maybe one at the absolute maximum.
As a woman, I honestly can’t imagine building a decent career and raising a child properly at the same time. I know people manage to do both, but when I think about the kind of future I want, having children isn’t really part of the plan.
I don’t want to give the impression that I hate living in Korea or that my school years have been miserable. I’ve had plenty of good experiences, and I’m proud of how hard I’ve worked.
I’m excited about studying engineering, going to university, and eventually having a career. I’m also looking forward to having more time to enjoy myself without constantly thinking about the next exam or admission requirement.
Right now, though, I still have to get through my final year of high school.
And that means a lot more studying.