Having a clear and positive vision of the future sets one’s direction and boosts his motivation. This proves to be an effective motto that has driven our very own Hyung Jun Woo, a.k.a. Peter, to be one of MIT International School’s (MITIS) consistent honor and model students.
Peter was among the first batch of students who enrolled at MITIS in 2007 when the school was newly established. Since then, he has consistently topped his classes and received numerous Year-End Excellence Awards in different subjects including English Language and Composition, Academic Writing, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, Spanish, AP Comparative Government and Politics, Microeconomics, and Computer. He has also participated and won in various contests and school activities such as the Physics Olympics held in Ateneo de Manila University last year and the Philippine-Korean Basketball League in Alabang last 2009.
Among his notable achievements in school so far is the AP Scholar Award that he received from the College Board for his excellent test results in the AP examinations held last May. He got above-average scores in the three tests that he took including Calculus, Chemistry, and Comparative Government and Politics. With this academic distinction that is granted only to students who excel in AP exams comes the distinction that Peter has exemplified among his schoolmates: a focused vision armed with a determined personality and a positive attitude towards learning.
“I didn’t graduate elementary with academic honors, but I joined and won in various contests where I have proven to myself my personal capacity. I remember winning a National Creative Science Contest held in South Korea back in 2004 and this made me feel good about myself. From there, I’ve drawn inspiration,” Peter recalled. “Some people think they are good at nothing because they never try anything. I believe that everybody has the capability to do something but only a few stands out because of their determination and will to explore what they can do. We have to do our best even in simple things, push ourselves beyond our limits and aim to achieve more than what we can normally do,” he added.
With a clear vision in mind, Peter manages himself to stay focused and passionately works on every task that he undertakes. “At this moment, I am envisioning myself studying in a top university; I also dream of becoming the Secretary of the United Nations someday,” he excitingly shared. He said that once a vision is set, everything will have a direction. One may be swayed from time to time by some unavoidable circumstances but the way to achieving one’s goals will always set his plans straight.
“Live tomorrow,” Peter contemplated when asked to give an advice to his fellow students. “It is self explanatory, but living tomorrow is a way to motivate one’s self,” he continued. He explained that people normally set their targets on a daily basis, thus, it sometimes frustrates them when they are not able to achieve their daily goals. “What happens in your day does not determine you as a person, it is your dream of a bright tomorrow that shall stimulate and inspire you to stand up, continue, and move up.”
Peter’s aggressiveness and exceptional attitude towards school work differentiate him from other students. Time management and scheduling of tasks form part of his system. He would go to his teachers’ desks during breaks and class dismissals only to consult for his essay revisions. He would have long conversations with them to help himself be more comfortable in learning and to appreciate their teaching styles. He also stays up late for school projects and school reports. “One must be fierce and willing to exert an effort if he wishes to excel. I spent almost 20 hours straight to study Chemistry a day before the AP examination because I wanted to be prepared,” Peter cited as one of his unforgettable study efforts.
As the current Student Coordinating Board’s Vice President and the Editor-in-Chief of MITIS school paper at the same time, Peter hopes to set a good example among his organization members and classmates. He is also keen on honing his strengths with the help of his teachers and friends and now more focused on improving his weaknesses especially when it comes to personality and relationship development.
Truly a pride of MITIS, Peter serves to be one of the exceptional personalities that give honor and inspiration to the whole school community.
Photo above shows Peter reviewing for an AP quiz.
Keep your eye on your goal, Peter! I can vouch for the accuracy of this article. I've never met a student who works as hard as Peter does. ::)
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