Commitment, discipline, and a well-planned study strategy have enabled Tania Anastasya Putri to become the fastest graduate at the postgraduate commencement ceremony at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on April 23 and 24. She completed her Master of Management degree in only 1 year, 1 month, and 9 days. In contrast, the average study period for 1,388 master’s graduates (S2) at this ceremony was 2 years and 1 month.
Tania’s achievement stands out, as she completed her studies in nearly half the time of the average graduate in this period, demonstrating the effectiveness of careful academic planning and consistent execution at every stage.
A student of the Master of Management Program at the Fakultas Ekonomika dan Bisnis UGM (MM FEB UGM) Jakarta Campus, Tania said she chose to pursue her master’s degree at UGM because of its strong academic reputation, particularly in management and business. The conducive academic environment, supported by competent lecturers and adequate research facilities, provided optimal space for academic development while expanding professional networks.
“UGM has a strong reputation as a university in Indonesia, especially for my field of study,” she said on Sunday (Apr. 26).
Tania shared that her desire to complete her studies quickly was driven by a practical orientation and a wish to immediately apply the knowledge she gained in the professional world. In addition, personal commitment and discipline in time management were key to maintaining a focused study rhythm.
“I wanted to apply what I learned as soon as possible, and I made a personal commitment to stay disciplined with the timeline I had set,” she explained.
She admitted that the greatest challenge during her studies was time management. She had to balance various demands, including the research process, intensive supervision sessions, academic assignments, and maintaining a personal life balance. To address this, she implemented structured scheduling and consistency.
“I created a detailed schedule and tried to follow it consistently so that everything could remain balanced,” she said.
Her thesis addressed a current issue in the financial sector, titled “Analysis of Stock Market Reactions to the Indonesian Government’s Announcement of Rp200 Trillion Transfer to State-Owned Banks”. The study focused on analyzing capital market reactions to the policy, particularly changes in abnormal returns in banking stocks. The results showed that shares of state-owned banks experienced positive, though not statistically significant, abnormal returns, whereas private bank stocks showed statistically significant negative abnormal returns.
“I wanted to examine changes in abnormal returns resulting from the policy. The result was that state-owned bank stocks generated positive but insignificant abnormal returns, while private banks showed significant negative abnormal returns,” she elaborated.
To ensure the quality of her research remained optimal despite the relatively short timeframe, Tania emphasized the importance of planning from the beginning of her studies. Each stage of the research, from proposal preparation and chapter development to data analysis and conclusion drawing, was systematically designed. Discipline in attending supervision sessions and conducting periodic self-evaluations also played an important role in maintaining the quality of the outcome.
“I planned the research from the proposal stage to the conclusion and remained disciplined in supervision and self-evaluation,” she explained.
Tania acknowledged that her success in completing her studies in a short time was also supported by her surrounding environment. Her academic supervisor played a crucial role in providing clear and constructive guidance throughout the research process. Meanwhile, moral support from family and friends helped maintain her motivation and resilience amid academic pressures.
“My supervisor provided clear and constructive direction. In addition, my family and friends offered strong moral support that helped sustain my spirit throughout my studies,” she said.
Behind her outstanding academic achievement, Tania made several sacrifices, particularly in reducing time for socializing and leisure activities. During the thesis-writing phase, especially in data analysis, she experienced periods that demanded high focus and intensity. Nevertheless, she viewed these sacrifices as integral to the learning process and as a valuable experience.
“I reduced time for socializing and entertainment, even during moments like New Year’s, because I was focused on writing Chapter 4. However, I consider it part of the struggle and a valuable experience,” she recalled.
Throughout her studies at MM UGM, Tania experienced a positive academic environment and a supportive campus atmosphere. She believed the collaborative academic culture contributed to the acceleration of her studies.
“My experience was very positive, both academically and in terms of the supportive campus environment. My message is to make the most of your study time and never hesitate to seek opportunities,” she advised.
Looking ahead, Tania hopes to apply the knowledge she has gained while contributing to academia and society.
“I hope to become part of the academic community and contribute to society through the knowledge I possess,” she concluded.
Author: Zabrina Kumara
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Courtesy of Tania