My friends and I would gape at the seniors coming down from the dormitory on the day when they are taking CSAT(College Scholastic Ability Test). It was last year, on a cold November dawn. Freshmen and sophomores aligned in front of the dormitory. We were holding candles. Soon, seniors came out one by one. Some looked worried while some looked stunned at the lines of candles-holding students.

When they passed through the roads of students, we called out “Good Luck!” We even gave free hugs and cheers for seniors and they happily replied back. Some seniors even burst into tears. My friends and I never imagined that we will become seniors. 2nd year at high school was such a lovely year and we wanted time to stop.

But I had become-something that I wondered and aspired- a 19 year old:a senior student in South Korea. And now, I live in a society where president Lee Myung Bak has now declared to reform our so-called death triangle system. Now in the state of being added with the new system called college administrator system, my fellow peers are heading toward the individual route to their ultimate goals: getting accepted to renowned schools in Korea. Unlike them, I’m taking a different route:going to colleges in America. However, even though I’m taking a different course for my own resolution, still, I’m a third grade student of Korea. And I am facing the very same difficulties with all other senior students who are going to colleges this year. 19 years of life is when full of adventures wait ahead. Perhaps 19 is also the most trouble-making age for all teenagers. I sometimes feel pity for us, all tethered in the prison called stress. But we have to admit that this is the reality we should face one day. And I have constantly heard and saw teenagers committing suicides because of stress but I want to advice my friends, sisters and brothers to keep up the good work. As a same Korean high school 3rd grade student, I can’t say that I’ve never thought about dieing, but life is long and there are actually bright futures standing in front of us.

Now time is ticking toward the CSAT. I would not describe how important this test will be for many senior students around Korea. And I can already imagine the anxious Korean parents waiting outside and praying. Dear Korean students and parents look at the brighter side of the world and think big! Even though test results do play important roles in our lives, they are not always the factors that make our lives happier.

But still, this test will be important for many people in Korea. So in order to be in a good condition until the test day, keeping a good diet and having 6-7 hours of sleep regularly are necessary. Also exercising could be a good way to relieve stress.

We are now standing on the pathway where no one can turn us back. We need to face it.