[GSIT Entrance Exam for Office Workers] How to Study Using News Articles
It’s not easy for a busy office worker to seriously prepare for an entrance exam.
Because there are physical and mental limits to pushing through with just willpower,,
Especially on days when you’re tormented all day by overwhelming company work and even have to work overtime, you just want to give up everything. You want to satisfy the snowballing desire for compensation (mostly with binge eating and drinking).
So, without any pressure!
I developed a study method that can be practiced daily in my spare time.
1. Select 6 News Media Outlets (3 International / 3 Domestic)
I need to stay updated on major current affairs and, most importantly, practice English writing for the first written exam of the GSIT. So, I first selected three well-known English-speaking media outlets and three Korean outlets that provide English articles.
(The reason for 6 is to read one per day from Monday to Saturday, and Sunday is for rest-🌴)
*Based on outlets accessible for free without subscription
[International Outlets]
(1) CNN
]((2) BBC NEWS
]((3) REUTERS
]([Domestic Outlets - Providing English Articles]
(4) The Korea Times
](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/)
(5) THE CHOSUNILBO
](https://english.chosun.com/)
(6) Korea JoongAng Daily
](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)
I installed apps or organized bookmark links so I can access them directly on my phone while commuting.
2. Choose 1 Top Headline Article from the Selected Outlet for Each Day
Because you shouldn’t get exhausted!!! (This is the most important part)
I decided to read only one article from one outlet per day.
Let’s take a CNN article as an example -
Click on the first article that catches your eye.
(These days, the Hamas-Israel war issue is most prevalent, but since I’ve encountered it so much, I’m bringing up another issue.)
This article is about decreasing snowfall due to climate change.
First, I quickly read through the entire article, picking up and looking up unfamiliar terms along the way. As you read more articles, you’ll notice that for certain issues, specific terms and expressions are used!
3. Transcribe the Introduction Paragraph of the Article into Your Notebook
Because you shouldn’t get exhausted!!! (Again, the most important part)
Transcribe the introduction paragraph of the article. It’s usually 1-2 lines, so it’s less burdensome.
And most of the article’s key event summaries/points are covered in the introduction. When transcribing into your notebook, I recommend writing one line, skipping a line, and then writing another. This is because you’ll need space to write down and memo unknown words/expressions!
3. Transcribe the Conclusion Paragraph of the Article into Your Notebook
Because you shouldn’t get exhausted!!! (Always the most important part)
Transcribe the conclusion paragraph of the article.
The conclusion usually cites experts/stakeholders, offering implications of the event, or summarizes key takeaways, which helps in understanding the flow. Just like with the introduction, write one line and skip a line when transcribing into your notebook! A useful tip-🍯: when transcribing quotes, you can see the vocabulary/expressions used by experts.
4. (English-Korean) Write a Korean Summary Translation of the Transcribed English Introduction and Conclusion
The first GSIT exam requires summarizing an English passage in Korean, and summarizing a Korean passage in English. (+You also need to write an extended English essay for each.) As part of this training, I practice writing Korean summary translations. In my case, rather than focusing on writing perfectly, I focused on studying gradually by completing one task each day.
(Example of actual work in my notebook)
When I had a brief moment at work, I would work on a separate note, then tear off the paper and reattach it to this notebook,,,
4. The End!
As I’ve emphasized throughout, not getting exhausted is the most important thing (especially for office workers). I believe that studying consistently with a manageable amount is more efficient and effective.
Here’s a motivational video filled with my efforts so far,,, and next time, I’ll come back with another GSIT entrance exam tip.. Ta-ta…🐾
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