[Column_Ahram Lee] [Planned Column by the Korean Counseling Psychological Association] My Own Pit Stop in the Race Called Life, Korean Lecturers’ News, October 2023

You can find the column contributed by Director Ahram Lee of Bonne Clef in Korean Lecturers’ News at the link below:.

Korean Lecturers' News

In the Race of Life, Your Own Pit StopBy Aram Lee, Chair of the Ethics Committee, Korean Counseling Psychological Association; Assistant Professor at Korea University Graduate School of Education

November brings chilly weather and, in Korea, the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) — a national event that puts everyone on edge. Students who have tirelessly prepared head to the exam halls with a determined heart, while teachers and families silently cheer them on. Underclassmen begin to feel the weight of their own exams just around the corner.

The CSAT is practically a national holiday in Korea — flights are grounded and military drills are paused to ensure smooth exam conditions. This shows just how significant academic achievement and university entrance are perceived in our society. Although the college admissions system has become more diversified and alternative career paths exist, getting into a university still looms large as a major milestone. Many students feel pressured, as though their entire identity and future success hinge solely on academic performance.

However, even after overcoming this monumental hurdle, the competition doesn’t stop. We begin to chase after prestigious jobs, high salaries, nice cars, and homes. The human mind naturally yearns for more, making it difficult to stop this constant sprint toward achievement.

In counseling sessions, I often meet exhausted students who question why they’ve been running so hard. They ask, “What was I really striving for?” “Will reaching my goal actually make me happy?” “Is there truly a better life waiting beyond this race?”

Some students who enter top universities express a deep sense of emptiness when they realize that the competition continues. Others fear entering society, already worn out and unsure of how to live or what will bring them happiness. Perhaps this is not a problem exclusive to students — perhaps we are all running so hard that we’ve lost sight of what happiness truly means.

Ultimately, we must learn who we are and what we truly want. We need moments of silence to listen to our inner voice — to ask ourselves what happiness and success mean to us personally. Academic or professional success alone cannot define our entire being. Running forward is important, but so is occasionally pausing to reflect on the self.

Pausing may feel like falling behind. While everyone else seems to be charging ahead, we might feel weak or unworthy for stopping. There may even be anxiety that resting will make us lazy or unmotivated.

At times like these, think of car racing. In high-stakes competitions where milliseconds determine victory, the pit stop is a critical moment. In mere seconds, the crew replaces tires and refuels the car to ensure the driver’s safety and performance. Though brief, these moments are crucial — without them, continuing the race could be dangerous.

Likewise, in our fast-paced lives, we all need our own pit stops. Taking a break to recharge and reflect on ourselves doesn’t mean we’re losing. On the contrary, it is essential maintenance for continuing our life’s race safely and effectively. And just as a pit crew supports the driver, we are often surrounded by people ready to help us carry on.

In a car race, nothing is more important than the driver’s safety and life. In the same way, in the race of life, the most important element is you. Perhaps now is the time to take a deep breath, pause, and give yourself the care and attention you deserve.

Written by: Aram Lee, Chair of the Ethics Committee, Korean Counseling Psychological Association (Certified Counseling Psychologist, No. 1294), Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Education, Korea University

Source: Korea Lecturer News (https://www.lecturernews.com)