Some people say, "Life gets harder after college graduation. Studying as a student is the best part of your life." This saying has made me ponder about what my life in school and college was like; looking back, I can't be certain that it was the best moment of my life. Honestly, I'm not sure I could be happy if I went back to school.
From high school through college, the one thing I remember is studying for exam after exam. I sometimes had quality time hanging out with my friends, but only on those days when the exams were finally over. Even worse, such times were just short and transient pleasures, because just a few days after completing my mid-terms or finals, I used to start carrying the psychological burden again. It was a constant reminder: "You should plan, and start studying for the next exams."
Korean society is overly fond of standardized tests as an objective measure of one's qualifications. Achieving good scores is not always easy, but it is the simplest way to secure one's future in our society. Getting sought-after jobs in Korea requires passing extensive examinations to earn certificates and other qualifications, and even after being hired, you may need to take a test for your promotion.
I realized this in my teenage years, so in high school, I adjusted myself to standardized exams quite well. I knew how to prepare for them, so I used my time and energy efficiently, and usually got the results I wanted. My problem-solving skills for exams have since helped me build the career that I wanted. However, the benefits came with side effects: I got a severe obsession with good results, which has taken deep root in my mind. I hate the idea of myself being ill-prepared, and I became too results-oriented, unable to enjoy the process. One of my recurring nightmares, actually, is about taking an examination. In my dream, I'm a student, sitting in a classroom or a lecture hall, waiting for the proctor to hand over exam papers. I can't clearly recall the knowledge that I need to answer the questions, though, because I'm in my dream. So, my heart starts to beat fast, and I freak out, feel extreme anxiety, and worry about failing the exam.
It's been nearly a decade since my college graduation, and I thankfully don't need to take any form of exam for the foreseeable future. However, still I often dream about being unprepared to take an exam when I'm in a physically or mentally bad condition. It's my worst nightmare, in fact, and I'd like to ask other Koreans if they also have recurring nightmares about taking exams.
From high school through college, the one thing I remember is studying for exam after exam. I sometimes had quality time hanging out with my friends, but only on those days when the exams were finally over. Even worse, such times were just short and transient pleasures, because just a few days after completing my mid-terms or finals, I used to start carrying the psychological burden again. It was a constant reminder: "You should plan, and start studying for the next exams."
Korean society is overly fond of standardized tests as an objective measure of one's qualifications. Achieving good scores is not always easy, but it is the simplest way to secure one's future in our society. Getting sought-after jobs in Korea requires passing extensive examinations to earn certificates and other qualifications, and even after being hired, you may need to take a test for your promotion.
I realized this in my teenage years, so in high school, I adjusted myself to standardized exams quite well. I knew how to prepare for them, so I used my time and energy efficiently, and usually got the results I wanted. My problem-solving skills for exams have since helped me build the career that I wanted. However, the benefits came with side effects: I got a severe obsession with good results, which has taken deep root in my mind. I hate the idea of myself being ill-prepared, and I became too results-oriented, unable to enjoy the process. One of my recurring nightmares, actually, is about taking an examination. In my dream, I'm a student, sitting in a classroom or a lecture hall, waiting for the proctor to hand over exam papers. I can't clearly recall the knowledge that I need to answer the questions, though, because I'm in my dream. So, my heart starts to beat fast, and I freak out, feel extreme anxiety, and worry about failing the exam.
It's been nearly a decade since my college graduation, and I thankfully don't need to take any form of exam for the foreseeable future. However, still I often dream about being unprepared to take an exam when I'm in a physically or mentally bad condition. It's my worst nightmare, in fact, and I'd like to ask other Koreans if they also have recurring nightmares about taking exams.
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