When Effort Becomes a Weapon: A Science High School Survival Guide for Underperformers with No Head Start

Author Kim Hyun-joo · Publisher CheonglimLife · Published 2026-07-08 · ISBN 9791193842775

Book Introduction

"Welcome to the Science High School"
My child's three-year struggle, starting from the lower ranks without prior education

After her child was accepted into a science high school, where only so-called gifted students gather, the author felt as much worry and determination as joy and expectation. This was because anxieties crept in: "Will my child be able to keep up with the difficult science high school classes?" "Will they feel intimidated among brilliant peers?" "Will they feel deprived because of their grades?" These feelings led the author and her child to academic information sessions in Daechi-dong, but the author soon composed herself and explored what was most necessary and suitable for her child. After intense family discussions and advice from those around them, they were able to design a life where the child lived in the dormitory at school during the weekdays and took classes in Daechi-dong on weekends. This process showed not a reliance on cram schools and private education, but rather a confident path forward, firmly holding the initiative in their studies despite the anxiety.

However, results did not appear immediately. In the beginning, the child struggled immensely just to keep up with the vast amount of study material, and despite hard work, received a mid-to-lower-tier grade on the first exam. Furthermore, in the first year, the child was bullied by a classmate for having low grades and neglected studies for six months, getting engrossed in internet use. Through all these tumultuous, struggling moments, like a roller coaster ride, the author stood by her child as a strong supporter, protecting them from facing the storms alone. Thanks to this, the child received an exemplary dormitory student award, consistently received praise from teachers throughout all three years in their student record, and achieved rising grades for six consecutive semesters, eventually gaining admission to a prestigious engineering university.

While information about college entrance exams and education abounds in the world, and adolescents study late into the night every day, children are increasingly losing their motivation to study and struggling. Why do children stop 'trying'? How can they continue to try? If parents understand and observe the value of effort and applaud their growth, wouldn't they be able to continue studying with a healthier mindset? When faced with difficult situations while raising a child preparing for college entrance exams, if parents remember the words the author in this book shared with her child, they will be able to navigate their child's college admission journey more smoothly.

The 24 hours of a science high school, bustling every day,
Vivid episodes reflecting the current state of education!

〈When Effort Becomes a Weapon〉 unfolds its story following the flow of semesters, from the first semester of the first year to the second semester of the third year. Naturally, one can glimpse the three-year curriculum, dormitory life, research activities, and college entrance exams of science high school students. Reading the episodes, one realizes that students are incredibly busy with schedules, as if they had two bodies, dedicating themselves to their studies. In particular, their efforts to study intensely for 'early graduation' and 'early admission,' or their dedication to 'project research' and 'R&E activities,' are at a level that even adults would find challenging. Students may skip school events like sports days for their studies, choose to take short naps instead of eating breakfast, or secretly turn on lights in the dormitory to study until dawn.

The author's child also went through all these processes firsthand at the science high school, pushing through their studies. This involved focusing with maximum intensity in class and communicating with teachers, putting in enough study to be called 'second in the entire school,' and actively participating in all curriculum activities offered by the school—elements that might seem cliché but were fundamental. However, this simple principle became the essential foundation for six consecutive semesters of rising grades, and the child consistently improved their academic achievements by prioritizing the essence of learning and the value of effort. As one reads through the intense three years shared by the author and her child, one gains a deep understanding of the struggles of Korean youth and the current state of education in South Korea.

To all fellow parents navigating the challenging entrance exam journey,
"Give your child the most powerful weapon: effort."

When a child's college entrance exam journey begins, parents also become "exam candidates," experiencing anxious and nervous times. However, they feel helpless because they cannot study for their child or reduce their sleep, and the child, in turn, frets and gets discouraged by various aspects of the admissions process. How can parents wisely help their children in such times?

The author advises that when it's difficult to compose oneself and confusion reigns, one should try not to spread one's anxiety, and create an environment where the child can put in effort regardless of the outcome. And above all, she emphasizes the importance of believing in and waiting for one's child until the very end. Because with the weapon of effort, the child will always find their way forward. With this attitude, the author offers sincere praise to the adolescents who are undoubtedly striving on the front lines of college admissions somewhere today.

It is important to remember that parents must not forget that even if their child treads water, stumbles, or even takes a few steps backward, their current efforts will become nourishment for growth and will eventually shine as a weapon. Based on this, parents should willingly be a supportive and assisting presence beside their children. 〈When Effort Becomes a Weapon〉, at that very point, provides answers to what it means to be a steadfast parent who allows their child to grow into an independent individual, yet is always there to lean on.

"The author has captured the simple truth that children can achieve through their own efforts, embodying the patience and process of a farmer sowing seeds and bearing fruit. It contains detailed guidelines on how to communicate with and respond to your child at every moment of the college admissions process, and what constitutes the true parental attitude of a strong supporter for your child. I intend to read this book, which will not be seen again in Korea, many more times. May this writing convey courage and warmth to all families."

Jeong Seung-ik_ Author of 〈That's How You Become a Parent〉, EBS Instructor


Inside the Book

I have compiled the records meticulously written over my child's three years of high school into a single book. It feels like reliving that time, leaving a numb and heavy feeling in a corner of my heart. Nevertheless, I hope these records will be a warm encouragement to parents who, amidst waves of anxiety, strive to be a support system for their children.
--- From 「Prologue」

The first step for parents dealing with electronic device issues should be complete understanding, not just simple empathy. Any conversation that doesn't acknowledge the child's desire to "really, really want to do it" as it is, is merely a lecture. However, regardless of accepting their feelings, self-control with devices is an area impossible for a child to manage alone. Therefore, clear parental intervention and firm guidelines must be implemented concurrently.
--- From 「May Black History Become a Badge of Honor」

There may be parents who lose sleep because their child is not in the top ranks. But just as workbooks with a suitable number of mistakes build solid skills, the current position, mixed with appropriate deficiencies and struggles, helps the child grow the most. This is not a comforting word but a principle of growth. So, I hope you will first read the temperature of your child's growth beyond the numbers on their report card.
--- From 「The Position for Greatest Growth」

During elementary school, it is crucial to eliminate aversion to studying and build a solid foundation and rich experiences. Only when this foundation is laid can children truly thrive in their studies during middle and high school. Making sure children don't come to hate studying – that, I believe, is the most powerful and essential form of pre-learning for a child's long academic journey.
--- From 「You Can't Do Everything You Want to Do」

In a world where countless strategies abound, what transcends those strategies is only the child's sincerity and the true ability contained within it. If the assistance of consulting or preparatory academies truly overflows, a child who doesn't rely on them will stand out, and this is a clear competitive edge. Perhaps this is the most sophisticated strategy of all?
--- From 「Going This Far for the Student Record」

Our children are tired of repetitive studying, and their grades are not meeting expectations. Unfortunately, in such situations, it is very difficult to fully feel a sense of accomplishment from effort. Therefore, a healthy perspective on effort is needed. If the value of effort is firmly rooted in one's heart, one can live each day cheerfully and bravely, focusing on one's own growth rather than comparing oneself to others.
--- From 「When Effort Becomes a Weapon」

They say there's no college admissions without drama. Through days of being hurt, anxious, and battling unsettling situations, we endured together and gained more strength because we were together. I extend my deepest gratitude and respect to all comrades who crossed that challenging mountain together. Furthermore, I will continue to cheer for all students who will walk this path and their families who stand by them.
--- From 「First Pass and Rolling Admissions Domino」

Table of Contents

Opening remarks_ Facing a world where pain is the default

First Semester, First Year

Our First Level Test
Finally Stepping into an Academy
The Power Struggle with the Academy
Taking Control of Study
A Call to Get Tutoring
Glad Not to Be an 'Early Graduate' Candidate
The Goal Is Average
Today's Exam Briefing
A Bouquet for Effort
Even the Best God
The Beginner's Button
Social Studies, the Best Exam in Science High School
The Joys and Sorrows of Opening and Closing Doors
Anything But Outback, They Said
My Child Sending Experiment Photos to Mom

Second Semester, First Year

First-Year High Schooler Like a Third-Year
"I Think Anyone Below a Grade 4 Is a Fool"
How Much Should I Get Involved?
"Many Kids Just Give Up"
Six Months Evaporated
Worried About Their Mind, Not Grades
May Black History Become a Badge of Honor
A Desperate Struggle Proving Not to Be Stupid
Busy Nurturing with Love
A Frightful Winter Break

First Semester, Second Year

What Is Desired Is One's Own Effort
Studying in the Self-Study Room
Still a Questioning Child
The Position for Greatest Growth
Things One Must Experience to Know
Open Class Day
Not Suffering During Exam Period
Luck Favors the Diligent
Should It Be This Desperate?
"I'll Crush Everyone in Daechi-dong!"
Diligence Is Top 2 in School
Would You Envy Even if You Knew the Process?

Second Semester, Second Year

You Can't Do Everything You Want To Do
So What Makes a Good School?
Plan B, C, D
Is Studying Also a Matter of Momentum?
Getting High Schoolers to Read Books
Going This Far for the Student Record
Cheerfulness Is Grade 1
The Mind Needed for Elective Selection
Those Who Left and Those Who Remained
Happiness, Not Sacrifice

First Semester, Third Year

Friday Routine
"I Hope You'll Laugh Later"
Is the Maximum the Answer?
My Child's Appearance Through the Student Record
"Is Upward Trend a Big Deal?"
When Effort Becomes a Weapon
The Courage to Choose What One Is Not Good At
I Promise Not to Follow
A Veteran Soldier's Summer Break
Thank You, Sonny

Second Semester, Third Year

We've Done This Before
Not Skipping Breakfast
We Are Always Backwards
"Glad You Don't Have to Take the Suneung"
Walking Smoothly
A Third-Year High Schooler Writing a Diary
The Weight of a Click
The Desperation of the First Hurdle
Looks Like They'll Drain It to the Bone
Interviews Are an Event
A Night When the Despair Circuit Stops
First Pass and Rolling Admissions Domino
Curious About My Child's University?

Closing remarks_ Cheerfully and boldly