Memorable Experiences as an NTC SmartClass Homeschooler

Homeschooling often receives a bad rap, with concerns about reduced socialization, but what if it could be transformative? In this article, join me as I share how NTC SmartClass redefined my learning, from initial struggles like bullying to a truly memorable educational journey.

Let’s begin with why I chose homeschooling. My reasons were safety from bullying, greater flexibility, and the absence of a daily commute to school. Initially, I felt a mix of doubt and anticipation, especially the anticipation of freedom from traditional schooling’s rigid schedule and emphasis on rote memorization. This was before I enrolled in NTC SmartClass in 2022.

What I found once I started was a learning environment unlike anything I had experienced before; one that blended creativity, independence, and real-world engagement. Our homeschooling program championed Integrated Project-Based Assessments (IPBAs), an approach that prioritizes hands-on, creative, and real-world projects like business plans or stories over traditional tests. This methodology drastically enhanced my creative thinking skills and fostered a deeper understanding of subjects by encouraging creative application. 

Beyond academics, learning took on an even more vivid dimension through carefully planned, real-life experiences like a flexible environment, our curriculum extends far beyond textbooks through engaging Face-to-Face (F2F) events. For instance, our explorations of marine life at both the Manila Ocean Park and Ocean Adventure weren’t just field trips; they were immersive experiences that brought biology to life, powerfully illustrating the importance of marine biodiversity. This approach fostered independence, allowing me to steer my academic journey, and ignited new passions, like using Canva for creative expression beyond schoolwork. One project I’m particularly proud of was a digital storybook I designed entirely in Canva, which combined my love for storytelling with visual design, something I might never have explored in a traditional classroom.

Homeschooling presented hurdles like socialization concerns and self-discipline issues, especially my tendency to overstudy just to get the highest grade possible this school year. For instance, I remember the time I stayed up until almost 1:00 AM doing IPBAs or browsing through the Learning Hub Resources (LHR) materials, believing that the extra hours would give me a competitive edge in grades and university admissions despite my Primary Learning Advisors (PLAs) signalling me to go to sleep now. 

These challenges made me realize that flexibility doesn’t meat lack of structure; it requires even stronger boundaries and I combated these two hurdles by frequently chatting with my classmates or schoolmates during times they were online, attending F2F events if possible, and using time-management strategies, like setting a midnight curfew, emphasizing balance and the importance of adequate sleep to address both concerns effectively.

My last three years of homeschooling honed my time management and deep learning skills, even with the flexibility. For me, NTC SmartClass Homeschooling truly emerged as the optimal learning environment. This was particularly evident as I developed a comprehensive business plan, crafted an imaginative creative story, enriched my learning through F2F field trips, eliminated the need for daily commutes and associated costs, as well as the fear of getting bullied. Each of these experiences reflects how NTC SmartClass helped me reclaim control over my learning and well-being.

Looking back, these three years weren't just about academics, but about a journey of personal growth, flexibility, freedom, and discovering how lifelong learning can truly adapt to who I am.

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