At an age when many young people are still exploring their future paths, Fulviana Ramadlonia Agung Putri, a student of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), completed her undergraduate medical education at 20 years, 4 months, and 27 days. By comparison, the average age of the 1,644 bachelor’s degree graduates who participated in the commencement ceremony on May 21 was 22 years, 6 months, and 15 days.
In an interview, Fulviana explained that she is the third of four siblings. She began her elementary education at the relatively young age of 5 years and 8 months. After completing elementary school, she joined an acceleration program and finished junior high school in just two years. Entering elementary school early and participating in the acceleration program enabled Fulviana to begin her university studies at the age of 16 years and 8 months.
Behind this achievement, Fulviana admitted that her academic journey involved adapting to academic pressure and maintaining a healthy balance in life while pursuing a demanding course of study. Becoming the youngest graduate was never something she had envisioned. She said the accomplishment was the result of a consistent commitment to learning.
“In the early years of college, I felt pressured because I had to keep studying and maintain consistency. But with this achievement, I feel very happy, proud, and grateful. Honestly, I never expected to become the youngest graduate,” she said on Wednesday (Jun. 3).
Despite her success, Fulviana acknowledged that one of the greatest challenges she faced during her studies was adapting to the demands of university life. At a relatively young age, she still wanted to enjoy her teenage years, while her medical education required a rigorous schedule and consistent study habits. She said the intense academic demands initially made her feel overwhelmed. Over time, however, she learned to adjust to the pace of study and transform that pressure into motivation for personal growth.
“At my age, I still wanted to play and enjoy my teenage years like my friends. The academic pressure during my studies was quite challenging. But over time, I learned to adapt and use that pressure as motivation to continue growing,” she explained.
Fulviana believes that one of the keys to her smooth academic journey was her ability to understand herself. She learned to identify the study methods that worked best for her, including knowing when to focus and when to rest to avoid physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and burnout.
“For me, it’s not about studying for long hours all the time, but about being disciplined and maintaining a good learning rhythm,” she said.
Although she was among the youngest graduates, Fulviana said she never felt significantly left behind compared to her peers. She recognized that older classmates often possessed greater life experience and more mature ways of handling pressure.
“I learned a great deal from my friends, both academically and in how they dealt with the pressures of medical school,” she said.
According to Fulviana, support from those closest to her played a crucial role throughout her education. A positive environment helped her maintain a balance between academics, health, and personal life amid a demanding academic schedule. She views her achievement as the result of support from her parents, friends, and many others who accompanied her throughout her studies.
“To me, this is not just about age or being the youngest graduate. It is also the result of a long journey supported by the warmth and encouragement of many people,” she said.
After officially graduating, Fulviana plans to continue learning and developing herself during the professional stage of medical training. Looking ahead, she hopes to become a physician who is not only academically competent but also deeply empathetic toward patients. Drawing on her experience and educational journey, she encouraged others her age not to be afraid of pursuing ambitious goals.
“For people my age, don’t be afraid to try and don’t limit yourselves because of your age or a lack of confidence. As for my future, I hope to become a doctor with strong medical competence who can provide empathy and the best possible care for patients,” she concluded.
Author: Diyana Khairunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Courtesy of Fulviana