Student Initiated Learning

On the 10th of December 2022, I completed the Yale University Financial Markets Course, which consisted of a total of 18 modules, and 6 honours quizzes.

Financial Markets is a complex subject that requires a deep understanding of how the economy works, what drives market trends, and how to analyse financial instruments. The course provided a broad introduction to this subject, covering a range of topics including macroeconomic analysis, market structure, risk management, and investment strategies.

Throughout the course, I gained a deeper understanding of how Macroeconomic events impact the financial markets, and how to use various financial tools to make informed investment decisions. Often, I was challenged to think critically about the information presented and to consider how the concepts covered applied to real-world scenarios. This helped me to develop my analytical and problem-solving skills, which will be valuable in my future endeavors in finance. 

One of the most valuable aspects of this course was the opportunity to learn from world-class professors, like Professor Robert J. Shiller, and experts in the field of finance. The lectures were engaging and well-structured, providing a comprehensive overview of each topic. The interactive elements, such as discussions and quizzes, helped to reinforce the concepts covered in the lectures and allowed me to apply what I had learned to real-world situations.

In conclusion, I found the Financial Markets Course to be a valuable learning experience. It provided a comprehensive introduction to the subject of finance and helped me to better understand the complex world of financial markets. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge in this area.

On the 13th of December 2022, I completed The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Course by Google Digital Garage, which consisted of 26 modules and a total of 40 hours worth of lecture videos.

The course provided a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of digital marketing, including search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), social media marketing, email marketing, mobile marketing, and online advertising. This course was extremely helpful in expanding my knowledge and understanding of the digital marketing landscape.

One of the key highlights of the course was the use of real examples to illustrate the concepts covered. This made it easier for me to grasp the concept and applications of digital marketing and how different strategies can be combined to achieve specific marketing goals.

What I thought was particularly useful was the focus on measurement and evaluation. The course emphasised the importance of tracking and analyzing metrics to determine the effectiveness of marketing efforts and make data-driven decisions. This has given me a better appreciation for the need to constantly measure and improve the impact of my marketing efforts.

Overall, I believe that the course provided valuable insights, practical tips, and hands-on exercises that can be applied immediately to real-world situations.

On the 28th of December 2022, I completed the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Marketing in a Digital World Course, which consisted of a total of 4 modules.

The course illustrated the rapidly evolving world of digital marketing and introduced the latest tools, techniques, and strategies used by companies to reach and engage with customers in the digital age.

It heavily emphasised the importance of using data to make informed marketing decisions, track the success of marketing campaigns, and optimize marketing strategies over time. I appreciated the hands-on approach to data analysis and the opportunity to work with real data sets to understand the impact of marketing efforts. I learned about the key stages of the customer journey, the role of different touchpoints, and how to use digital marketing to reach customers at each stage. 

This was a terrific learning experience, as it helped me to understand the importance of creating a seamless and personalized customer experience in a digital age.

On the 28th of December 2022, I completed the Yale University Introduction to Psychology Course, which consisted of a total of 12 modules, and 6 honours quizzes.

The course started off with an overview of the field of psychology, covering a wide range of topics from the history of psychology, to the various theories of human behavior and mental processes. I was consistently exposed to a wealth of knowledge about the workings of the human mind, and the ways in which psychologists study and understand behavior.

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from the renowned Psychologist and Professor, Paul Bloom. His lectures were engaging, and clearly communicated the key concepts of psychology in a way that was easy to understand. 

What impressed me was the course's focus on critical thinking and scientific inquiry. The course emphasized the importance of using empirical evidence to support psychological theories and encouraged students to think critically about the information presented. This helped me to develop my analytical and problem-solving skills and encouraged me to approach psychological topics with a skeptical and critical eye.

An important aspect of this course was the exposure to the diverse range of topics within psychology. I was amazed at the breadth and depth of the field and gained a better understanding of how psychology is relevant to many aspects of our daily lives, from childhood development to the workings of the mind and brain.

All in all, I found the Yale University Introduction to Psychology Coursera course to be a valuable learning experience. It provided a comprehensive introduction to the field of psychology and helped me to better understand the complex world of human behavior and mental processes. 

On the 27th of January 2023, I completed the Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce course by Google, which included a sum of 14 modules and 4 quizzes.

During the course, I was introduced to the latest tools, techniques, and strategies used by companies to reach and engage with customers online, as well as the key principles and practices of e-commerce. The course allowed me to learn and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of digital marketing and e-commerce by reinforcing repeatedly the importance of using data to inform marketing decisions, track the success of marketing campaigns, and optimize marketing strategies over time. I also learned about the key metrics used to measure the success of digital marketing campaigns and the importance of using data to drive decision-making. Some interesting aspects were the key stages of the customer journey, the role of different touchpoints, and how to use digital marketing to reach customers at each stage. 

This was a meaningful experience, as it helped me to understand the importance of creating a seamless and personalised customer experience in a digital age, especially in today's world, where the uses of technology are consistently evolving rapidly. 

On the 27th of January 2023, I completed the Foundations of Business Strategy by the University of Virginia, which consisted of 4 modules and quizzes.

The course covers a range of topics, including the use of data and analysis to inform decision-making, the role of competitive advantage in business strategy, and the importance of understanding the competitive environment.

One of the most impactful aspects of this course was the focus on real-world case studies and practical exercises. These examples helped me to better understand the practical applications of business strategy, as well as the complexities involved in making informed business decisions. 

Another key takeaway from the course was its focus on the competitive environment and the role of competitive advantage in business strategy. I learned about the different factors that contribute to a company's competitive advantage and the importance of developing a distinctive value proposition to differentiate a company from its competitors. 

In conclusion, I am grateful for this opportunity as the course was a transformative learning experience for me. It provided me with a strong foundation in the key concepts and practices of business strategy and equipped me with the tools and knowledge I need to create and implement effective business strategies.