▲ Students have many problems about studying, job seeking and their social skills. Counseling is one of the most effective ways to solve those problems. /Extracted from: Google

  In 2009, a columnist Kim Sun-ju wrote a column “But you can love someone” in the Hankyoreh. She said, “Young people have so many problems these days. They have to worry about tuition fees, finding a job and so on. They have so many concerns that they just concentrate on work. However, they can at least love. If the young say, “All I want is love”, that would be inappropriate. However, if they say ‘I do not care about love’, it would be sad for me.” Although the column was written few years ago, young people are still busy dealing with their studies and finding a job. Moreover, some students are finding themselves having troubles with their social skills. Here is a special opportunity to listen to their problems and learn the way those problems can be solved. Three anonymous students who are having problems with their studies, their social skills, and finding a job, contacted the Center of Teaching and Learning (CTL), the Student Career Development Center and the Student Counseling Center to find solutions to their problems. Let’s listen to them and the way the counselors proposed to solve those problems.

 

 Student A: I want to get high GPA but I can hardly concentrate on studying. Moreover, I tend to want to complete my tasks perfectly and it made me waste time too much. I want to study well but I am worried that I would not achieve high scores despite my efforts. Sometimes I get distracted because of troubles with my friends. I also want to know how to study. Is it different from that of high school?

  Lee Sun-young, a researcher in Center of Teaching and Learning (CTL): First of all, you should lower your expectations about your studying ability. Then, gradually develop your studying capacity. Achieving your small goals and improving your ability to use study time effectively will encourage and please you. Moreover, I think you will perform well as a leader of any group. I strongly recommend you make a small study group with your friends and become a leader of the group. It would be invaluable experience for you as a leader and you will also gain knowledge. Lastly, make a long-term goal about your future and prepare for it. This will not only show you the way to study more efficiently and effectively, but also help you prepare for your job search after graduation.

  Student B: I am a junior majoring in education. My friends all seem to be prepared for their looking for a job but I cannot decide about my future job yet. My problem is that I don't know what I really want to do. I want to be devoted to education and provide quality education for everyone. However, I am not sure whether I want to become a teacher, or an official in the Ministry of Education, or look into other jobs related to education. I don’t have much time left, and I should decide soon which occupation I will choose. I always think I should be preparing more, but time is going too fast for me. What should I do?

  Lee Seoung-hoon, a counselor in Dongguk Student Career Development Center: I understand that you feel frustrated finding yourself unprepared for your future job in this competitive society. However, don’t rush your decision too much. It isn’t too late to think about your talents and the career you really want. Therefore, you should consider your talents, values and abilities as well as learn about the duties and responsibilities of many jobs, and find out whether you can get these jobs. Then you will clearly make your goal in job seeking. There is a saying, “Better late than never.” This is the most proper time for you to think about your future. You can think about your goals and abilities, and the job you are most suitable for with the help of Student Career Development Center this semester. Then, you will be able to develop your plan for finding the job you want next semester.

  Student C: I am a freshman and I have had some difficulties making friends since I was very young. I have very few friends who I met in middle school and high school. However, I have not made any friends in university. I think I am too small-minded when it comes to relationships. Sometimes I feel so lonely and isolated and depressed. What should I do to make many friends?

  Lee Jung-sook and Kang Ji-yoon, counselors in Student Counseling Center: Think about these three points: the reason why you are feeling depressed, the relationships in your life and the meaning of “small-minded person”. Firstly, think deeply why you are feeling blue. It is possible that feeling depressed caused your concerns about making friends, rather than the other way around. Maybe you can say both are the reasons for your feeling depressed. Whatever it is, it will be the starting point of your counseling. Secondly, remind yourself of relationships in your life. You said that you have had problems socializing since you were very young. Then, it would be nearly impossible for you to change suddenly .Think rationally about your attitude toward relationships and criticize yourself. Everyone is worrying about good relationships and you are not the only one having troubles in making friends. We recommend you visit student counseling center frequently. Lastly, you mentioned that you are small-minded person. However, defining yourself as small-minded and passive person is just limiting your ability to relate with others. You should break this limitation you made. Moreover, open your mind and be more active in making close relationships. Do not wait until others want to be friends with you. In addition, find your mentor about university life. We are sure that there are many good people who are ready and willing to help you.

  Many university students have similar problems to students A,B and C. Sharing your concerns with a counselor is one of the best ways to deal with these problems. In Dongguk University, there are many counseling programs that students can participate in. Do not hesitate and try these programs.

  Center of Teaching and Learning supports student tutoring programs and provide counseling about study habits. The Student Career Development Center provides mock interviews, resume writing workshops, career counseling and free lectures which are helpful for students’ career plans. The Student Counseling Center gives students the opportunity to counsel about their problems.

Ha Sun-jin  sunjin.ha@gmail.com

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