I get nowhere, even when I study at a café.
I sat down at a café and started studying, but an hour later, I’m still in the same place.
Yujin set a study time and came to the café. While the results remain out of sight, she reflects on how far she’s come in her studies through her friend’s words and the counselor’s questions.
At an evening café, Yujin opens her workbook to study for a certification exam. Her friend leaves first, asking how far she’s gotten, and Yujin stays behind, unable to turn the page. Saebyeok looks over Yujin’s study log with her, noticing the traces of study that continued even when results weren’t showing. Yujin still hasn’t closed her book, and she’s choosing what to say next.
When slow progress makes studying feel uncertain
Even when results take time, the day can still hold traces of your studying.
On a day when progress felt slow, where did your studying come to a stop?
The image of Yujin sitting with her workbook open, even after her friend closes their book and leaves, stays with me. While waiting for results, a day’s studying can still leave its mark in the problems you read and marked. If you’re going through a similar stretch, you’re welcome to share what happened when you sat down with your books.
Scenes
- 01 · The Book Closed First The Book Closed First — At an evening café, her friend closes their workbook, puts it in their bag, and asks, “How far did you get today?” Yujin can’t take her eyes off the open book. Friend: How far did you get today? Yujin: I’m still near the beginning. How about you?
- 02 · The Page She Couldn’t Turn The Page She Couldn’t Turn — Her friend shoulders their bag and turns toward the door. Yujin’s book is still open to the same page as before. “I’ll be right behind you.” Yujin: I’ll be right behind you. Friend: Okay. Get home safe.
- 03 · The Blank Spots in the Log The Blank Spots in the Log — In the counseling room, Yujin opens a notebook where she’s marked each day she studied. Beside the dates, she’s written page numbers and the numbers of problems she left unfinished. Saebyeok: Yujin, there are days when your marks carry on without a break. What were you studying on this page? Yujin: I didn’t solve many problems. I marked the ones I got wrong and looked at them again the next day.
- 04 · Asked About Progress Again Asked About Progress Again — Looking down at her notebook, Yujin says she keeps thinking about her friend asking how far she’d gotten. “Can I really say I studied if this is all I did?” Yujin: Can I really say I studied if this is all I did? Saebyeok: Yujin, when results aren’t showing yet, each page can have its own pace. Which mark on that page catches your eye first?
Stories by Saebyeok
- Saebyeok
- Before the first snow settles, I think of the rent first.
- I write down my progress, but still don’t know how far I’ve come.
- Waiting for a reply can make even familiar questions feel unfamiliar.
- Sunday night, and I still can’t see what comes next, even after counting all I’ve been through.
- After the funeral, I started reaching for cigarettes again.
- I reviewed it, but by Monday it feels unfamiliar again.
- Monday morning, and I feel like I’ll have to explain my time off again.
- After celebrating with someone, I start to doubt whether I want to try again.