Coming back to school can be overwhelming for returned missionaries. The strict schedule of a mission can make the transition into academic life challenging, but some returned missionaries who are studying at BYU-Hawaii have found ways to enjoy their time at school.
Sun Mi Jin, a sophomore in instrumental performance from South Korea, said, “The thing I really desire to do after I served a mission is to study hard so I can have a good score on my GPA. Because I really concentrate on school and music, I have no time to do anything else.” Jin served her mission in the California Riverside Mission.
After she served her mission, she found that many things changed in her life. She said, “I have become more diligent in school. Before I studied hard, but not like now, and I have a clear goal to focus on my academics. ... If I can see the improvement in myself, I will enjoy the time back to school.”
Jin said, “I want to prove to my family that I can make them proud in my improvement, so I will study harder to reach my goal. And it is my way to enjoy the time in school.”
To gain knowledge and to find purpose is another way to treat life back to school for Zachary Giles, a senior majoring in ICS from England. He said, “Because after my mission I felt I lost my purpose, I want to receive as much education as I can. It is not as meaningful as classes, but I like receiving knowledge.”
Giles continued, “I enjoy my time by being around people and having friends to do things together, but I also want to find my own time to build on hobbies or to find relaxing moments because I was so busy delivering the gospel on my mission. Finding a moment to relax and actually to sit back to think helps me to enjoy my time in school pretty well.”
Krista Hiu Nam Chan, a freshman from Hong Kong, served her mission in Sydney, Australia. She said, “Except for going to the temple often with my friends, I want to study hard, so I can get high grades. Next, I will balance the time of study with friends to enjoy my time in school.”
Haley Su Hyun Kim, a freshman majoring in Psychology from South Korea, said “I would like to meet new friends since this is the beginning of the semester. Otherwise, I want to focus on my studies and look for opportunities for an internship. Also, I am willing to have fun as I finish my study, such as traveling around Laie.”
Serving is how Katherine Pohing Mok, a sophomore from Hong Kong majoring in elementary education, enjoys her time back to school. “The thing that I want to do is to stay in Hawaii as long as I can to serve others because I love Hawaii so much. BYUH has a lot of different cultures.
I can learn and have fun in the multicultural environment, and I can make friends with people who are from different countries.”
However, Katherine mentioned, “The most important thing for me now is to learn how I can be a good student instead of being a good missionary.”