1) What did you study with Pamoja?
IB Psychology HL online.
2) What year did you graduate the IB DP?
2022.
3) Why did you choose to do a Pamoja online course?
Since my high school didn’t offer IB Psychology HL as an in-person class, they oriented students who had interest in psychology toward the courses offered by Pamoja. Our school introduced Pamoja to us relatively early, and the idea of learning independently online sparked my interest as I had shown myself to be an organized and self-motivated learner throughout my early high school years. As a platform, Pamoja is easy to navigate and I was eager to learn through an online course to balance my in-person learning.
4) How has studying with us supported your future ambitions?
At Stanford University, we use several online platforms to supplement in-person classes. This setup is similar to studying with Pamoja. Becoming familiar with Pamoja’s online tools and learning how to manage the work using a consistent schedule for the duration of an online course has helped me develop and improve my organizational skills. Additionally, the self-paced nature of the course led me to develop self-discipline, which has allowed me to keep my motivation levels high. Moreover, Psychology is a subject that lends itself to both in-person and online courses. As a result of this experience, I am considering taking Psychology as a minor at Stanford.
5) What key skills has our flexible study approach helped you develop?
Learning with Pamoja has helped me become self-motivated and able to face many challenges, whether they be academic-related or personal. As deadlines in Pamoja were set ahead of time, I was able to structure my calendar in advance and plan my work on time, allowing me to practice self-discipline. Furthermore, the online experience is very different from in-person learning, as you have to communicate with people you have never met before. Therefore, it is important to practice being respectful and to give constructive feedback when contributing to discussions and projects, which are valuable skills to apply in any professional setting.
6) How did engaging with our international school community help with your learning?
Through Pamoja, I got to collaborate with many international students as well as reflect on their work. Peer-reviewing students’ work and engaging in discussion posts with students from varied backgrounds was enriching. It allowed me to develop connections with people studying the same subject in many parts of the world, including Brazil, the Netherlands, or Spain. Connecting with people from different backgrounds helped me expand my perspective and learn from students whose experiences differ from mine, which is significant when studying Psychology because sharing new information or personal experiences with others helps the whole group understand the material better and become more open-minded about the subject.
7) What advice would you share with other students thinking about studying a Pamoja online course?
I would strongly encourage every student to take an online course at least once throughout their high school career. I learned many things about myself (especially about my learning style) that I did not know before enrolling in a Pamoja Online Course. The unique skills you acquire by taking an online course go a long way toward preparing you for the personal and academic challenges you may face later in life. If you are relatively confident in your organizational skills and feel motivated to learn a subject that you are particularly interested in, I highly recommend taking an online course if you have the chance!
