Tiara Amanda Pramesti Gumay beamed with joy after attending her undergraduate graduation ceremony on Wednesday (Feb. 25) at Grha Sabha Pramana (GSP UGM). A graduate of the Dentistry Undergraduate Program at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), named the youngest graduate after earning her bachelor’s degree at the age of 20 years, 1 month, and 16 days.
She surpassed the average graduation age of 23 years, 6 months, and 15 days. This achievement stands as a proud milestone and reflects the dedication and perseverance she demonstrated throughout her studies.
Tiara’s journey toward this accomplishment began at an early age. She started elementary school at 5.5 years old. In high school, she joined an acceleration program, enabling her to complete her education in just two years. Her dedication to her studies placed her among high-achieving students, earning her admission to UGM in 2022. Her motivation to attain this remarkable achievement stemmed from a personal desire to become independent and make the most of her time.
“I have always made the best use of my time so that I can achieve independence earlier,” she said on Friday (Feb. 27).
However, Tiara’s academic journey was not without challenges. She initially found it difficult to adapt during her early days at university. Although she had a strong ambition, she was not confident at first, which made socializing more challenging.
“When I first met my classmates, I felt they were more prepared, mature, and confident. At the beginning of college, I had high ambition but lacked self-confidence, which made things a bit difficult for me,” she recalled.
In addition to focusing on her academics, Tiara actively participated in various faculty-level activities. She joined the Faculty of Dentistry Student Executive Board (BEM FKG) and frequently took part in community service programs.
“At first, it was quite challenging to manage my time alongside a demanding academic schedule. I went through a lot of trial and error to find the right rhythm,” she explained.
Through these experiences, Tiara learned that everyone has their own unique process. As a student with strong academic ambition, she believes it is essential to understand one’s limits and avoid comparing oneself to others in order to continue growing.
“Having high ambition is important, but it must be accompanied by readiness, patience, and commitment to continuous improvement. Appreciate every step of your own journey,” she advised.
Now, at just 20 years old, Tiara has officially earned her bachelor’s degree in Dentistry. Her accomplishment stands as proof of the dedication and ambition that guided her throughout her academic journey.
Writer: Diyana Khairunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Tiara’s Documentation