School students of the St Petersburg University Online School plan to pursue higher education at the University

I would like to express my gratitude to you for choosing to study at the St Petersburg University Online School. I especially want to thank your parents for supporting this important decision, as it significantly impacts their children’s future.

Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions

"I hope you are satisfied with your choices and progress; and your studying at the Online School is yielding positive results, both in enhancing your knowledge and preparing you for higher education programmes," noted Aleksandr Babich.

During the meeting, students discussed why they chose to study at the St Petersburg University Online School and the benefits they have experienced. Many noted significant improvements in their educational level. They also shared their future plans: after completing the Online School and receiving Russian Certificate of Secondary General Education, they all intend to pursue higher education in Russia, with St Petersburg University as their chosen institution.

Aleksandr Babich said that he would be happy to see the students enrolled as undergraduates in St Petersburg University’s academic programmes. He emphasised that the secondary education they are receiving at the St Petersburg University Online School is of a high standard, as the Online School project is implemented at the Specialised Education and Research Centre — the Faddeev Academic Gymnasium at St Petersburg University. Aleksandr Babich also drew attention to the fact that the event was held in the museum of the Academic Gymnasium, where portraits of its former students, who later became members of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union and the Russian Academy of Sciences, are displayed.

During the event, students from the St Petersburg University Online School shared their plans for final examinations and asked questions about the University admissions process.

One of the students highlighted that an advantage of the Online School is its distance education format. The flexibility allows for more free time, enabling a higher quality of education and better preparation for final examinations. Additionally, the Russian certificate of secondary education provides more opportunities to go on to higher education at Russian universities, and the admissions process appears more transparent and straightforward.

"Studying at the Online School demands significant effort. It is more challenging than studying at Estonian schools. The volume of learning material is much larger, requiring more time for independent study and homework. Your learning outcomes depend on your own dedication and desire to learn. With full commitment, you can achieve excellent results. The St Petersburg University Online School provides ample resources, including additional materials and video lessons, and teachers are always available for clarification. These opportunities are invaluable. My goal is to move to Russia and study psychology at St Petersburg University, and the Online School is a crucial step toward achieving that," said the school student.

"We have wonderful, friendly teachers who interact well with us and are always willing to help, especially as we prepare for final examinations. The curriculum is not too difficult if you dedicate extra time to studying. My classmates are open to contact, and we have become friends," shared another 11^th grader at the St Petersburg University Online School. He added that he is considering St Petersburg University for his higher education.

His father, a Russian language teacher in Romania and Candidate of Philology, explained that the decision to apply to the St Petersburg University Online School was almost inevitable. His son had studied at the Russian school at the Russian Embassy in Bucharest until the 9^th grade. However, continuing his education in Russian became impossible when the Russian school closed. "I believe it would have been very challenging for him to switch to the Romanian education system, as it follows a completely different curriculum. St Petersburg University was therefore an excellent option for us. The University has been very supportive. If my son is willing to pursue higher education in Russia, I will be very happy. I graduated from the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, and I hope our love for the Russian language and culture will be passed on to him," said the school student’s father.