Just Keep Going
Just Keep Going
  • Reporter Lee Seung-ah
  • 승인 2021.09.05 23:10
  • 댓글 0
이 기사를 공유합니다

Recently, I was depressed because it seemed that I had done nothing during this summer recess. I did not participate in the Undergraduate Research Program (UGRP) nor any internship programs. Rather than partaking in various programs provided on or off campus, I wanted to study alone during this recess and cultivate my academic understanding. I had a lot to learn, such as financial mathematics, combinatorial analysis, Python, and Spanish. Despite studying these disparate fields on a planned basis, I was perturbed about what I was doing. My studies did not seem to be headed towards one consistent goal, and it was hard to explain what they were all for. These concerns headed out when a friend asked me what I was up to these days. I struggled to explain the connection between my studies, and I ended up just giving a vague answer. This event left me wholly depressed and skeptical about what I was doing.
The reason that I started studying each subject:
I studied financial mathematics to understand the principles and the rules of financial derivatives, which I was interested in after taking two economic classes during the previous semesters. I became interested in combinatorial analysis and was eager to study the subject with pure curiosity after attending a math seminar held on campus. I was planning to participate in a research program next year, and the laboratory that I was trying to apply to required Python. Though I registered for a Python-based class in the fall semester, I knew that I always went through many difficulties when it came to programming, so I decided to study it in advance from basic grammars. In regards to studying Spanish, I have been longing to learn Spanish since high school, due to the unique nuances and pronunciation of the language.
To me, this summer recess was like a solitary fight. Compared to my friends participating in specifically named programs, it looked like I was doing nothing, and I felt left behind. After a while of agonizing, the Tokyo Olympics took place, and I often watched the Olympics. While viewing the Tokyo Olympics, I found out that some Korean athletes, including Woo Sang-hyeok and Woo Ha-ram, were putting up a good fight. Woo Sang-hyeok, the high jumper, achieved his goal by breaking his record in the Olympics finals of the men’s high jump. Woo Ha-ram, the diver, proved himself by performing his best in diving, an area where even journalists were less interested. They did not seem to care about winning  medals or competing with other athletes, but only completing each competition without regrets. Their spirits and achievements were astonishing and helped me get back on my feet.
Looking back, despite all my worries and anxieties, I was doing what I planned every day. As a result, I have achieved most of my initial goals. Studying financial mathematics helped me understand financial derivatives and steer my course. As I studied combinatorial analysis, I found out that it is deeply related to algorithms, which was a course I was planning to take next year. I gained confidence by studying basic Python grammar during the recess. I also managed to speak some simple sentences in Spanish. At the end of the recess, I had become the person I wanted to be three months ago. My worries were for naught. Some Postechians might also be suspicious about their own choices and plans. Here is the lesson I learned this summer recess: do not hesitate if you are doing something you planned. Trust your choice and keep going.
 

Reporter Lee Seung-ah
Reporter Lee Seung-ah