I sat at my desk waiting for a reply.
While waiting for a reply, I open my book, but I can’t read a single line. Then someone places a small piece of paper on the desk.
As Jihoo sits with a book open, waiting for a reply, a small observation from the counselor helps him look back on how he was waiting.
Every evening, Jihoo waits for his tutor to reply. Even when he opens his book to study, his attention is drawn to his phone notifications. On a day when the reply is late, he loses his place and spends longer and longer sitting at his desk. Saebyeok suggests separating the waiting time from study time and noting what he actually did in between. Jihoo turns his phone face down, but the screen with no reply still sits beside his book.
When you study while waiting for a reply
When you separate waiting time from study time, the studying you actually did may become clearer.
On the day you were waiting for a reply, what happened first at your desk?
I remember that evening with a book open, waiting for a reply, his eyes moving back and forth between the screen and the lines on the page. I thought that counting the waiting time as study time could leave him more drained every time he closed the book. If you’ve had evenings like that, tell me what started happening at your desk that day.
Scenes
- 01 · The night he sent his question Still checking after sending it — Jihoo sends a photo of a problem to his tutor, then checks his phone with the workbook still open.
- 02 · The line he lost his place on Still no notification — There’s still no reply. Jihoo looks up from the workbook and glances at his phone.
- 03 · What the waiting time looked like Two stretches of time, separated on paper — In the counseling room, Saebyeok writes “waiting for a reply” and “solving problems” in separate spots on a piece of paper. Jihoo looks at it. Saebyeok: If you count the waiting time as study time, it can seem as though your studying stopped the moment you closed the book. Could we start by looking at what you were doing then, Jihoo? Jihoo: I just kept looking at my phone. I barely solved any problems.
- 04 · With the phone turned over The reply is still out there — Jihoo places his phone face down. His open workbook is still in front of him. Saebyeok: The page is still here, even before the first light comes in. Today, these two things are side by side. Jihoo: When the reply comes, I’ll open it again.
Stories by Saebyeok
- Saebyeok
- Even when I go to the study room, I can't open my book.
- Before bed, I write down only how much I studied today.
- While I wait for the results, I’m already worried about who I’ll be compared with.
- After washing up, I stand before the mirror and see the choice I left behind again.
- On rainy days, I’d open just one page.
- When I say I’m taking a break, the dinner table falls quiet.
- After an interview, every little thing I could’ve done better comes to mind at once.
- I opened a book while folding laundry, but keep rereading the same line.