Work hard with the position that you have now. Be the best, because the best will always be remembered. Do not forget also to share what we get with those around us.
These words came from Donna Ardelia, a student of Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada class 2008 who was inaugurated on Tuesday (21/2). Donna is one of three students of Faculty of Law – the others are Fani Phisca P (class of 2008) and Laras Susanti (class of 2007) – who graduated and were inaugurated today with GPA 4.00.
Yes, of course, that is a grade which is a pride from academic side. But, it may not be everything to have a degree. There are many other factors such as expertise and creativity that contribute to the success of someone when he graduates with a degree from a college and would go to the work market.Well, want to know more about their tips for a successful study? Please read on.
Always Making Priority Scale
Apparently, not only her GPA is perfect, Donna’s study period is also relatively brief, 3 years and 4 months. A few days before graduation day, the girl born in Bandar Lampung, July 14, 1990, told much about her study at UGM and the success of obtaining GPA 4.00.
Donna explained that she is not different from other students when studying at Faculty of Law. However, Donna said there is one thing that she always sticks to firmly, namely to make priorities between learning and doing other activities outside the campus, such as organizational activities. She also emphasizes on responsibility for herself.
"Honestly, I always make priorities for tasks and daily activities in order that these can go smoothly," Donna said.
One thing that may be different from habits in general according to Donna is studying at late nights until early morning when there are exams. According to Donna, she is more focused when studying late at night.
"It was encouraging that I already earned 4.00 in the early semester. That was a good starting point, so I should keep it up," she said.
In the conversation, Donna said that actually her activities on campus is the same with those of other students. She was busy at Student Press Publishing Body “Mahkamah” of the Faculty. In her opinion, another factor that contributed to her success during her study was her love and pride of Faculty of Law which had already started since high school. At that time, Donna’s cleverness in the field of law, in fact, was observed. She often participated in various competitions, such as article writing and debate.
"My father is my idol, he works in the PR world so he has many interactions with people. Well, I think studying at Faculty of Law can make me like my father," she said.
The girl, who actually is interested in working in multinational companies, was grateful for her academic achievement. Her parents’ hard work is not in vain. However, Donna did not stop here and would continue to become better. "Do not be satisfied at this point. This might be a good start but I will continue to develop more to get better," the second child of three siblings said.
Parent’s Education is Low, Spirit to Go to College Stays High
Laras Susanti has a different story. Her study at Faculty of Law may not be as smooth as Donna. At that time, Laras who lived with her uncle in Jakarta has to mortgage the house prior to obtaining a loan from the bank after being accepted in UGM.
The student born in Tegal, July 27, 1988 indeed lives with her uncle because his parents were divorced. Before going to Faculty of Law, her mother suggested that she had to work after high school. Luckily, at that time her uncle disagreed and suggested Laras to go to college.
"At that time my uncle suggested me that with education, fortune would come later on," Laras recalled.
Laras said her love for Law had been there since high school. Law enforcement in Indonesia which was selective and unfair made her want to know more about what was actually going on with our law. This was confirmed by her personal experience when receiving a letter from her village up to the Police office requiring illegal payments for scholarship.
Therefore, Laras said that she did not waste the chance in studying at Faculty of Law UGM. Laras revealed some keys to success. These are time management, frequent news updates and frequent discussions.
"We should be able to manage time, frequent updates of the news and discussions. To add to those three things, I think the more important key to success is we have to love the science," the student who won a national debate on the Constitutional Court in year 2011 said.
Unfavourable educational experience of her parents also encouraged Laras to not waste the time of study. Understandably, Laras’ father only went as high as junior high school while her mother did not even complete primary school. In addition to studying at college, Laras is active in several organizations. She is the Head of Department of Strategic Studies of Faculty of Law, Dema Justicia, Minister for Strategic Studies of Student Executive Body (2010), and researcher of the anti-corruption research body, PUKAT, in the Faculty.
Not giving up with the poor condition of the family, Laras kept looking for scholarships, which was not in vain. She earned several scholarships that provide tuition assistance and pocket money.
Similarly to Donna, Laras said her 4.00 GPA does not necessarily make her satisfied. In fact, she was ready to find a scholarship to study for S2 degree. Becoming a lecturer in Faculty of Law is her dream now.
"From the Faculty of Law, law enforcers are born and are awaited for by community," the author of Belajar Merawat Indonesia said.
Not Interested until Finally Falling in Love
The third student who also gained GPA 4.00 is Fani Phisca P. Of these three students, Fani was the one who was not initially interested in studying in Faculty of Law UGM. However, Fani’s father advised her otherwise in order to become a law enforcement officer. Therefore, she finally opted for Faculty of Law.
"Yes, eventually I was destined to being accepted at UGM Faculty of Law," Fani said starting the conversation.
At Universitas Gadjah Mada, Fani slowly started to love Law. According to Fani, when we pursue something, we have to focus and love it. This is what she has applied so far, focusing on the main objectives and making achievements as much as possible and enjoying the learning process.
"For me the process is important, a good process will give good results as well," the girl born in Purbalingga, June 2, 1991 said.
Fani is a student who is serious in college. To be successful, according to Fani, just by reading the material before the test is not enough. Many things would be easily forgotten, because we have just memorized it. When we are serious all through the course of study, we will fully understand the material and that will be much more useful.
"It’s the difference between memorizing and understanding the concept that matters," Fani said.
Similarly to Laras, Fani regularly watched the news on television and read newspapers that extensively discuss the law in Indonesia. Not only that, the discussion on legal issues with her father at home helped her understand the legal sundries in Indonesia.
Although Fani is quite serious during the study, she found the time to join student organizations and other course activities. According to Fani, she had to be smart in making priorities and managing her time between courses and organizational activities.
"Most importantly, when there’s the need for organizational activities, I would not leave or delay it, so occasionally I attached importance to the organization, but only occasionally, the one most important is the college," the girl who wants to be a prosecutor said.