<p>I don't know if this applies to other asians but for koreans, a lot of the hard work is forced. The typical korean kid you see in your high school who gets really good grades probably is a hard worker but sometimes koreans are "forced" to work hard in school. This korean girl with the 4.0 probably still gets **** from her parents to work harder even though she may seem perfect to others. Granted, this is a stereotype and some people might get offended but from my experience and looking at asian-american high school students' lives , this stereotype seems to be for the most part true. </p>
<p>so why are korean/other asian parents so hard on their kids? and why do most asian kids seem to be so succesful? Well the answer to the first part is, koreans parents just want their kids to be really succesful. If you haven't noticed many asian parents work in drycleaining business or some small restaurant. Its not because these people are stupid, its because their korean college degree from 20 years ago is worthless in the U.S. Many parents believe that their children will have the same future unless they go to an ivy-league so this is where a lot of work gets forced unto the kids. Also many asian students are first generation in the U.S. so they have absolutely no connections in this country, so getting a degree from some average public college may seem worthless to the kids and parents.</p>
<p>You're right about a lot of what you're saying possibly being stereotypical, but what you say isn't false either, and it makes sense.</p>
<p>If I think about it, I'd think I would force my kids into being all-star in high school too (>__>..)</p>
<p>So upbringing plays a big part in it (that factor has been mentioned before in this thread XD)? But do you think she ever finds a lot of the academic part of her life (studying long hours, and making sure she's up there in grades) boring and uninteresting? Do you think she ever stopped and thought, "Instead of studying right now, why don't I go out?"</p>
<p>Maybe I'm alone on this, but I kind of think her work ethic and motivation are something to be admired, not gawked at and considered robot-like. Why should people automatically assume she's neurotic, obsessive, and inhuman just because she has a goal and is trying her best to achieve it? Maybe she would prefer to stay home and learn and study rather than go out; that's her choice and it isn't necessarily the wrong one. Anyway I think in most cases like these, unless you know the girl on a very personal level, it's wrong to judge the way she is and the choices she has made.</p>
<p>I agree with bms2009. Sure, it's a wonderful thing to be able to focus on something for a long time, to have a goal and work hard towards achieving it. But there's nothing wrong with that! A lot of mankind's greatest achievements have come from some intelligence and a lot of hard work.</p>
<p>But, like I said before, there's no reason someone with a good amount of natural intelligence can't work hard (except for, say, learning disorders).</p>
<p>I'm Chinese (just to throw that out in response to shore) and I think the main thing that keeps me going is just HOW MUCH I want to go to Stanford. Find that one thing you really want and always think about- that one thing that you would spend hours devoted to. What I think is that this girl has found just that. </p>
<p>This has to do with balance, something I've been struggling with a lot this year. Immensely easier said than done, there is a time to work and a time to play. Sometimes, you've just got to give you a break. What I think (just from what you've said), this Korean girl has found this equlibrium and is utilizing it to its full potential. </p>
<p>Another thing- try not to compare yourself with her too much. You have your strengths, she has hers. Excel at what you're best at, and let her do what she's good at. You might even want to try and face your weaknesses- you may surprise yourself and discover your true strengths in the process. </p>
<p>Would say more, but I've got SAT IIs to study o.O...</p>
<p>PM me if you want me to give you more advice</p>
<p>Generally speaking Koreans (I know I am making a stereotype and as much as I hate stereotypes, I find this very true), have extremely good work ethics and are usually very sociable. I guess it's just Korean nature.</p>
<p>Even though I have to admire her hard work, this sort of applicant sorta bores me, no offense. She doesn't look different from other HYPS applicants. Now if she wrote a killer essay, I'd change my views.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You know, a lot of "perfect" people really aren't that perfect once you get to know them. Just saying.
[/quote]
Totally. There's this girl in English and she can memorize Shakespeare quotes, no problem. But I always hear her whine about her parents and teachers for stupid reasons like giving an A- instead of an A. It's pathetic.</p>
<p>She sounds like a really hard worker, which is definitely something to be admired. On the other hand, she's probably jealous of those kids who do just automatically understand everything (like the kid who got the insanely hard physics problems right). I'm one of those students who will beat my head against a text book until it makes sense. Part of it is motivation to succeed and the great feeling of getting that tricky problem right, and part of it is pressure from being perceived as super smart. It gets better in college (when no one really knows or cares about YOUR grades). So this girl may SEEM perfect, but in reality, she's probably under an incredible amount of pressure.</p>
<p>Ya...I don't really see this girl as godlike in any way. I know plenty of kids (usually they are girls) who are like her - work really hard, study really hard, but theyre just plain stupid. Now this one may not be, but she doesn't sound like some genius. She spends so much time on schoolwork that her other ECs are pretty mediocre. If she were studying that hard for USAMO and did well, I would admire her. But shes studying hard for...school or science olympiad (which in my state is a joke, probably not so much in NY or NJ etc).</p>
<p>(To Echelon)- I'm not entirely sure of her whole resume and transcript (as that would be a little strange XD), but since she goes to the same district as me and I'm friends with Koreans that are friends with her (Koreans in my school tend to stick together), I hear a lot about her academic achievements more than her involvement in extracurriculars.</p>
<p>I really admire her work ethic and her hard work though. And as ttan said, maybe she <em>has</em> found equilibrium and pushes that to her full potential, but, as typical as it may sound, it's easy to know that her parents play a big role.</p>
<p>To push myself further (even though it may not be to the same level as her), I'm doing what was suggested in another thread (I think by ttan again XD)- surround myself with things that remind me of my goal (Cornell), which would raise my level of determination. Maybe it's not innate like the Korean girl in my school (or another girl I know that does 5 sports, is in Orchestra, and has a 4.0+ GPA), but I can surely still work as hard. In a way though, I sort of wish I was brought up the way the Korean girl was (I know, I know, there are a lot of complications and consequences, but in the end, isn't she successful?)</p>
<p>yeah well and I can't be dictator of the universe -.-
work with what you have. you'd think it would be different in a different environ, but that's not true.
Your personality ultimately determines how you'll act (which remains the same). Just try YOUR best now instead of ranting about this generic "Korean girl" lol. She's normal in my community. I'm the lazy abnormal one.
Generally true in my case because my relatives went to top colleges in Korea... and me not being able to do the same=freak. Yeah. I don't like the idea of being abnormal. </p>
<p>Why don't you try it for once instead of going, "oh I wish I was like her "=.=. </p>
<p>Koreans that stick together are either FOBs or the Cool Asians... both have died in my school. Well the big cluster of cool asians are dying... FOBs can't exist in my school.</p>
<p>I'm not really complaining about how she is and how I'm not like that, I was just pointing out the things in her that I admired and wish I had in myself. Even though I don't have many of the characteristics she has, I'm not really whining or complaining about it, but just discussing what could possibly contribute to the Korean girl's success and her work ethic. After all, that's what we've been talking about for the past three pages..</p>
<p>Sorry, but I think you have the wrong idea about this thread =</p>
<p>"I sort of wish I was brought up the way the Korean girl was"</p>
<p>^I can sympathize with you on this one because I feel the same way. I don't have the type of parents that are on my a** 24/7 to do well in school and believe that anything below an A is shameful, like many of overachieving students do. My mom never asks for my report card so I only show it to her if it looks good. She usually takes about a second to look at it and that's it..the other day I brought home a C in Math and all she said was "do better next time hon". </p>
<p>I don't know what it's like to have a pushy parent and have always been glad that my parents aren't that way at all. However, now that I am about to be a senior next year and will begin my college applications soon, I kind of wish my parents had pushed me harder to do well in school, as strange as it may sound. It definitely helps in the long run to have parents that are like that.</p>
<p>^ Yeah, in the end, they're the ones that end up being successful, even though many suggest that they don't have lives and just study all day and they are generally very boring people.</p>
<p>That might be true for a select few, but not all of them, like that Korean girl</p>
<p>I'm kinda glad my parents don't push me. It meant I had a life. But now I'm a soph I'm going to Andover and hopefully there, other people will push me.</p>
<p>The thing you must, must, MUST remember is that you must do what makes you happy. Is it the admission letter from Cornell or frequent hangouts with your friends that make you happy? Temporary gratification or long-term satisfication? I'm pretty sure you answered Cornell. So, to do that, you'll have to put in loads of hard work and determination. Looking at it from a new perspective, your Korean girl may be "successful," but if she is not happy (or is not working to be happy) she has most definitely failed. This is why I have stressed doing what you love on this site so much. It is very difficult to succeed when you don't believe in yourself and what you do.</p>
<p>I'd like to leave with this: Even if you aren't "happy" at the moment studying SATs or for your math final or whatever comes your way, cheer yourself up with a reminder of what you're working for =)</p>
