Convincing Refiqka Asmilla Rahma wasn’t easy. Even on Friday evening, Mar. 26, 2024, when her friends visited her home to congratulate her, she still hadn’t responded with joy.
She couldn’t believe she had been accepted into the UGM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH UGM). She repeatedly checked the announcement for academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNBP).
“I don’t know how many times I opened and closed the announcement. I kept asking myself if it was true,” Fiqka said at her home in Sungai Batu, Sarolangun District, Jambi Province.
It’s understandable why Fiqka didn’t immediately believe it. For her, choosing UGM seemed like an overly ambitious dream.
Initially, she wanted to choose IPB University’s Veterinary Medicine program. However, one of her friends chose the same program, which led Fiqka to change her choice.
With no clear direction, she was called by the school to change her choice, following the school’s policy to maximize the chances of students being accepted into state universities.
“I was confused at the time. It wasn’t possible for more than one student from the same school to choose the same university and program,” she admitted.
Near the registration deadline, her friends encouraged her to choose the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at UGM.
Doubt crept in. Fiqka didn’t fully accept her friends’ encouragement, so she asked her mother, Wiwik Purwaningsih, for her opinion. Still undecided, she remembered her father’s challenge when she was in the 11th grade: “Where will you go after you graduate?”
That question lingered in her mind. Soon after, her uncle in Klaten also suggested she choose UGM.
“Uncle, I don’t think I can. UGM is too prestigious,” Fiqka replied.
Reflecting on all this, Fiqka felt grateful for being surrounded by caring and loving people despite some who didn’t like her. Fiqka was born to Kasto and Wiwik Purwaningsih, with a younger sister, Ferizka Asmilla Rahma. Kasto, who sold chicken noodles around Sarolangun Market, passed away when Fiqka was in fifth grade.
After that, her mother married Suyatno, who worked odd jobs at a palm oil plantation. They had a son, M Raka Dirga Wijaya.
“Now, I live with my stepfather because my mother remarried, and she couldn’t support us alone,” Fiqka said.
Poverty often led to teasing from her peers, which she endured silently, crying at home. Over time, she became accustomed to it and grew stronger. Fiqka was thankful she could remain calm and not retaliate against those who teased her.
Some of her friends were frustrated in high school with her non-retaliatory stance. They wanted her to stand up to the bullies, but she remained silent, believing that excelling academically was the best response.
Indeed, her late father, Kasto, was always proud when he collected her report cards. Fiqka consistently ranked among the top in her class, and this trend continued with her stepfather, Suyatno.
In high school, Fiqka won fourth place in the regency-level Earth Science Olympiad in 2022, second in 2023, and first in a regency-level poetry writing competition in 2023. She was also active in the Islamic Spiritual Organization and memorized the Quran.
Time management was key to Fiqka’s success. She always studied after evening prayers until 10:30 PM.
“If I study until 11 PM, I sometimes get a headache, so I need to set limits,” she explained.
During free periods at school, she enjoyed reading novels under her desk, as the noisy classroom wasn’t conducive to studying.
Fiqka said she could only study effectively when focused. Once focused, she wouldn’t be distracted by anything.
“At home, there are many books. When I’m reading and focused, I don’t hear anything, even if someone calls me,” she said.
Fiqka helped her mother dry corn during the dry season before going to school. She also sold her mother’s corn snacks and tempeh chips at school to help with household expenses.
“Any profit, no matter how small, helps with the household budget,” Fiqka said.
Now, Fiqka feels relieved to have been accepted into FKH UGM with a 100% tuition subsidy. This opportunity opens new hopes for her family.
“I hope to have a smooth college experience. After graduation, I plan to return to the transmigration area in Jambi because there are no veterinarians here, and many people own cows and goats,” she added.
Purwaningsih can now smile, seeing Fiqka accepted into UGM with a full tuition subsidy. She hopes Fiqka will do well in college and be granted success.
“I have nothing to give her. I just pray that Fiqka stays healthy, does well in her studies, and never forgets to pray,” she said.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie