Carefully selected study materials will bring you closer to passing the exam!
To pursue a future where I can utilize my language skills, I'm enrolled in Department of Multicultural Communication.
To pursue a future where I can utilize my language skills, I'm enrolled in Department of Multicultural Communication.
# Entrance exam preparation experiences
Seiya Egashira
Faculty of International Relations Department of Multicultural Communication
2025.01.31
This time, we interviewed Seiya Egashira, a second-year student Department of Multicultural Communication Faculty of International Relations.
We asked Mr. Egashira, who recommends repeatedly working through a small number of textbooks, about his method for choosing textbooks, as well as about Asia University 's strong study abroad program.
We asked Mr. Egashira, who recommends repeatedly working through a small number of textbooks, about his method for choosing textbooks, as well as about Asia University 's strong study abroad program.
Please enter your text.
I'd like to ask about the entrance examination system used to get into Asia University.
Q1. What types of entrance exams you took and the subjects you took to be tested?
University-wide unified entrance exam: First semester. The exam subjects were English and Japanese.
Q2. Why did you choose that entrance exam format, and was there a reason for making it?
Originally, I aimed for a private humanities university, so I chose Japanese, English, and World History in Elective Subject and studied it. However, I wasn't very confident in world history, but I was confident in English, so I chose our university's unified entrance exam, which allows you to take both the alternative subject and English, and also apply for multiple departments simultaneously.
Q3. What was the reason for applying to your current department?
When considering university admission, to be honest, at the time I didn't have many fields of interest and couldn't decide on my faculty, but since I had always liked English, I wanted to learn more languages and decided to pursue a faculty of international relations. Also, in the Multicultural Communication Department, acquiring a second language in addition to English is mandatory, and being able to learn Arabic—which is rare at other universities—was also appealing, so I decided to apply for this department.
I thought there were few people in the country who could speak Arabic, so I thought it might be useful in the future if I could speak or read even a little. There are actually examples of graduates who have Practicum Arabic working at airlines or in Arabic-speaking countries, which I found very appealing.
Q4. What kind of preparations did you make for the entrance exam?
In my third year of high school, I spent a whole year studying Japanese, English, and world history, including classics. I also attended prep school, but I wasn't good at solving multiple reference books, so I bought one reference book for each subject and separate from the materials provided at the prep school, and just kept solving them. I repeatedly solved the problems I got wrong, and I focused on how many times I could go back and forth with that one book in a year.
After that, just face the university's past exam questions as much as possible. By doing so, you can understand the trends in the questions the university presents. Also, when solving past exam questions, I measured the time and worked on them in situations similar to the actual exam.
Q5. What do you think is the best thing about enrolling at Asia University?
I had the opportunity to learn English and Arabic. I also participated in a five-month study abroad program in the United States using Asia University's "AUAP" program. Studying abroad was originally my goal during my studies, so I think it was a very valuable experience.
Also, there are many connections across departments, and through common classes and clubs across all faculties, there are opportunities to interact with various students, making it easy to expand friendships.
Q6. What would you like to work on in your university life going forward?
I felt that five months of overseas study was too short, so I definitely want to attend the "AUEP" exchange program held next year, which lasts about one year. This study abroad system has clear standards for English skills and internal selection processes, so it is a higher-level study abroad program than "AUAP," and we plan to further devote ourselves to English learning toward that goal.
I feel that America suits my living environment better. When I studied abroad last time at "AUAP," my main focus was on acquiring languages, but with "AUEP," I can study English locally while also studying my own area of expertise, which is very interesting.
Q7. What are your dreams and goals for the future?
I don't have a clear dream or preferred job yet, but I want to work in a job where I can make use of my language skills. I'm also interested in fashion, tourism, and amusement park management, so those fields are attractive, and I'm thinking of living overseas in the future.
University-wide unified entrance exam: First semester. The exam subjects were English and Japanese.
Q2. Why did you choose that entrance exam format, and was there a reason for making it?
Originally, I aimed for a private humanities university, so I chose Japanese, English, and World History in Elective Subject and studied it. However, I wasn't very confident in world history, but I was confident in English, so I chose our university's unified entrance exam, which allows you to take both the alternative subject and English, and also apply for multiple departments simultaneously.
Q3. What was the reason for applying to your current department?
When considering university admission, to be honest, at the time I didn't have many fields of interest and couldn't decide on my faculty, but since I had always liked English, I wanted to learn more languages and decided to pursue a faculty of international relations. Also, in the Multicultural Communication Department, acquiring a second language in addition to English is mandatory, and being able to learn Arabic—which is rare at other universities—was also appealing, so I decided to apply for this department.
I thought there were few people in the country who could speak Arabic, so I thought it might be useful in the future if I could speak or read even a little. There are actually examples of graduates who have Practicum Arabic working at airlines or in Arabic-speaking countries, which I found very appealing.
Q4. What kind of preparations did you make for the entrance exam?
In my third year of high school, I spent a whole year studying Japanese, English, and world history, including classics. I also attended prep school, but I wasn't good at solving multiple reference books, so I bought one reference book for each subject and separate from the materials provided at the prep school, and just kept solving them. I repeatedly solved the problems I got wrong, and I focused on how many times I could go back and forth with that one book in a year.
After that, just face the university's past exam questions as much as possible. By doing so, you can understand the trends in the questions the university presents. Also, when solving past exam questions, I measured the time and worked on them in situations similar to the actual exam.
Q5. What do you think is the best thing about enrolling at Asia University?
I had the opportunity to learn English and Arabic. I also participated in a five-month study abroad program in the United States using Asia University's "AUAP" program. Studying abroad was originally my goal during my studies, so I think it was a very valuable experience.
Also, there are many connections across departments, and through common classes and clubs across all faculties, there are opportunities to interact with various students, making it easy to expand friendships.
Q6. What would you like to work on in your university life going forward?
I felt that five months of overseas study was too short, so I definitely want to attend the "AUEP" exchange program held next year, which lasts about one year. This study abroad system has clear standards for English skills and internal selection processes, so it is a higher-level study abroad program than "AUAP," and we plan to further devote ourselves to English learning toward that goal.
I feel that America suits my living environment better. When I studied abroad last time at "AUAP," my main focus was on acquiring languages, but with "AUEP," I can study English locally while also studying my own area of expertise, which is very interesting.
Q7. What are your dreams and goals for the future?
I don't have a clear dream or preferred job yet, but I want to work in a job where I can make use of my language skills. I'm also interested in fashion, tourism, and amusement park management, so those fields are attractive, and I'm thinking of living overseas in the future.
Please enter your text.
I'd like to ask you in detail about exam preparation and mindset.
Q8. Do you have any recommended countermeasures?
Rather than studying from many textbooks, I think you'll feel the greatest sense of accomplishment and truly acquire knowledge by diligently working through a carefully selected set of textbooks until you've mastered them completely.
When choosing a study guide, I recommend flipping through it a bit and selecting one that thoroughly covers the areas you struggle with. Also, I preferred thinner books that were easy to study at my desk rather than thick ones.
Q9. What were some of the difficulties you faced in preparing for the exam?
I was originally aiming for a private liberal arts university and was studying three subjects simultaneously, but I had a really strong aversion to world history and found it very difficult to memorize.
Q10. Have you ever overcome a slump? What was the trigger for that?
The key is to stick to your own pace. While parents, teachers, and others around me might offer various opinions, and seeing my friends' progress might make me feel anxious, I made sure to study at my own pace and in a way that felt comfortable for me. Also, I think staying in the same environment all the time can be depressing, so I recommend changing your study location at least once a week.
Q11. Do you have any recommended ways to relax or unwind?
I listened to music, went cycling, and ate delicious food on weekends. I also recommend planning a trip with friends after high school graduation to create something to look forward to when the exams are over. When you're feeling worried, try to go to bed early.
Rather than studying from many textbooks, I think you'll feel the greatest sense of accomplishment and truly acquire knowledge by diligently working through a carefully selected set of textbooks until you've mastered them completely.
When choosing a study guide, I recommend flipping through it a bit and selecting one that thoroughly covers the areas you struggle with. Also, I preferred thinner books that were easy to study at my desk rather than thick ones.
Q9. What were some of the difficulties you faced in preparing for the exam?
I was originally aiming for a private liberal arts university and was studying three subjects simultaneously, but I had a really strong aversion to world history and found it very difficult to memorize.
Q10. Have you ever overcome a slump? What was the trigger for that?
The key is to stick to your own pace. While parents, teachers, and others around me might offer various opinions, and seeing my friends' progress might make me feel anxious, I made sure to study at my own pace and in a way that felt comfortable for me. Also, I think staying in the same environment all the time can be depressing, so I recommend changing your study location at least once a week.
Q11. Do you have any recommended ways to relax or unwind?
I listened to music, went cycling, and ate delicious food on weekends. I also recommend planning a trip with friends after high school graduation to create something to look forward to when the exams are over. When you're feeling worried, try to go to bed early.
Q12. Are there any people, words, or triggers that have supported you?
My mother's presence was a big deal. I was in adolescence, and since my mother shared some personality traits, I sometimes clashed during exam season. However, thanks to my mother cooking delicious meals every day and preparing lunch boxes for me and supporting daily life, I think I was able to focus on studying for entrance exams. I have also received letters from my mother. There was a warm message recognizing my hard work, which was very encouraging.
When I decided on my preferred school as Asia University, my mother respected my opinion. He was always on my side and often helped me refresh myself. My mother's presence is truly great.
Q13. What was your method for pushing yourself right before the entrance exam?
Since the beginning of the new year, I have been reviewing the problems I had solved so far and university past exam questions. Rather than studying new things without a plan and cramming them into my head, I felt more motivated to perfect the knowledge I'd learned so far. I worked through four or five years' worth of university past exam questions.
Q14. Did you gain anything from your exam preparation life?
I'm confident. The success experience of passing the university entrance exam was the most important factor in my confidence. Additionally, I gained perseverance from studying diligently for a year.
During exam season, time management is crucial, so I always thought about my schedule every day, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. I always lived a regular life, didn't force myself to study until late, and focused on intensive study within limited time. In that sense, I believe I also developed the ability to manage my time.
Q15. Please give a message to high school students taking the exam using the same entrance exam method.
You may be entering your final push toward the exam, but please make sure not to push yourself too hard and to take appropriate breaks. I understand the feeling of anxiety right before the exam, but take a deep breath to clearly understand what you are lacking and which subjects you are weak in, and work hard to reduce your weaknesses during the remaining exam period. I'm looking forward to seeing you at Asia University next spring!
My mother's presence was a big deal. I was in adolescence, and since my mother shared some personality traits, I sometimes clashed during exam season. However, thanks to my mother cooking delicious meals every day and preparing lunch boxes for me and supporting daily life, I think I was able to focus on studying for entrance exams. I have also received letters from my mother. There was a warm message recognizing my hard work, which was very encouraging.
When I decided on my preferred school as Asia University, my mother respected my opinion. He was always on my side and often helped me refresh myself. My mother's presence is truly great.
Q13. What was your method for pushing yourself right before the entrance exam?
Since the beginning of the new year, I have been reviewing the problems I had solved so far and university past exam questions. Rather than studying new things without a plan and cramming them into my head, I felt more motivated to perfect the knowledge I'd learned so far. I worked through four or five years' worth of university past exam questions.
Q14. Did you gain anything from your exam preparation life?
I'm confident. The success experience of passing the university entrance exam was the most important factor in my confidence. Additionally, I gained perseverance from studying diligently for a year.
During exam season, time management is crucial, so I always thought about my schedule every day, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. I always lived a regular life, didn't force myself to study until late, and focused on intensive study within limited time. In that sense, I believe I also developed the ability to manage my time.
Q15. Please give a message to high school students taking the exam using the same entrance exam method.
You may be entering your final push toward the exam, but please make sure not to push yourself too hard and to take appropriate breaks. I understand the feeling of anxiety right before the exam, but take a deep breath to clearly understand what you are lacking and which subjects you are weak in, and work hard to reduce your weaknesses during the remaining exam period. I'm looking forward to seeing you at Asia University next spring!