On November 23, about 600,000 students in South Korea took the Suneung, a standardized college entrance exam accepted by colleges. This exam, also known as the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), is conducted every November. During their three years of high school, students prepare for this single-setting, nine-hour-long exam. This test is considered the most…
Author: Jumi Yoon
Jumi Yoon has been a reporter at JSR since 2015. As a sophomore at Mission San Jose High School, she loves playing the piano, listening to music, volunteering and traveling new places. One of her passions is learning other languages. She previously lived in Singapore, Malaysia, and Korea before coming to California. Jumi hopes to give positive impact to people through her writing.
The Irony of Social Media
With social media, we can communicate with our friends and family in a more effective manner. We can share photos of our daily lives and connect with people on the other side of the world through instant messages. Certainly, having access to social media can be a privilege – however, are we using it properly?…
What is perfectionism?
“Wow, what a perfectionist!” When people compliment the results of someone’s work, they frequently use the term “perfectionist.” Often, the word is used to refer to someone who is good at everything and produces high-quality results. It is sometimes used in a positive connotation, complementing the flawlessness and precision of one’s work. However, who do…
Should High School Students Get a Job?
Many high school students have part-time jobs. Whether it be working at a café or tutoring middle school students, working in high school can be a valuable experience. One can not only earn money but also learn essential long-term life skills. One of the possible benefits of a high school job is learning time management…
Start Your Apps Early!
For many high school seniors, the first semester is a period of stress and tension. With just a few months left until the college application deadline, many begin their stressful college application journey in the beginning of the school year. While most colleges have deadlines in late December or even early January, many also offer…
Air Pollution in South Korea Soars to New Heights
Over the past few years, it has become more and more difficult to see clear, blue skies in South Korea. Cities are shrouded in hazardous gray dust, making it difficult to even see buildings that are not far away. The sales of products such as air purifiers, face masks, and even glasses are soaring exponentially…
Identity Crisis of a Third Culture Kid
“Where are you from?” Although the motive behind this question is genuine curiosity, this is one of the most frustrating questions I face. It makes me hesitate – what should I say? This is a familiar scenario for many third-culture kids. The term third-culture kid, or TCK, refers to children who grew up in countries…
Are High School Relationships Worth It?
Dating is a sensitive subject for all age groups – including many high school students. Most teenagers in today’s age are open about dating. When students enter high school, many openly look for love, hoping to find “the one.” The beginnings of relationships are exciting – especially for young high school students in their first…
E-books or Paperbacks?
With the advance of technology, e-books have become increasingly popular in the last few years. By using e-readers (portable tablets used for reading e-books), readers may carry many books in their pockets. However, despite the accessibility of e-books, there is something about the texture of old-fashioned paperback books. Each option has its pros and cons,…
Are SAT Boot Camps Effective?
For many high school upperclassmen, summer is the best time to prepare for the competitive college application pool. Knowing this, many private institutions draw students to their summer SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) boot camps with promising results. However, the question is: is SAT boot camp worth it? Summer boot camp is a cram school to…