Becoming the fastest graduate at the undergraduate and applied undergraduate commencement ceremony of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, was something that Demetria Dahayu Kayla Didrika never imagined. The graduate of the Urban and Regional Planning Program at UGM’s Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM) completed her studies in just 3 years, 8 months, and 5 days. This achievement stands out compared to the average study period of 4 years and 2 months among the 3,150 undergraduate graduates.
Kayla admitted that she was surprised to learn that she became the fastest graduate at this commencement.
From the first day of college, she had set a number of targets to finish her studies on time.
“So, in order to achieve the goals I had already planned, I had to work as hard as possible throughout my time in college,” she said on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.
Despite graduating earlier, Kayla shared that she did not only focus on academic achievements.
She actively engaged in a variety of non-academic activities, such as organizational work and student committees.
She served as Chair of the Student Association, participated in several committees at the faculty and department levels, became a co-facilitator at the university’s student orientation program, PPSMB Palapa 2022, and even joined competitions, such as the Student Creativity Program (PKM).
Through these activities, Kayla felt she had the opportunity to meet and work with many inspiring people she had never imagined before.
The role of family, friends, and lecturers also became a crucial factor in her academic journey.
She admitted that many lecturers provided her with inspiration and motivation in setting her life goals.
Meanwhile, her family was the strongest reason she could persevere until this point.
For Kayla, the prayers and encouragement from her parents were the main source of strength and support system that convinced her she could achieve her planned goals.
Kayla also highlighted the importance of her classmates, who became her best support system for sharing struggles and staying motivated to study.
She expressed gratitude for always having a safe space with her friends whenever she felt discouraged or lost her drive.
“They always encouraged me to rise again. I am thankful to my classmates of 2021, who have become my family while I’ve been in Yogyakarta,” she said with gratitude.
Born and raised in Semarang, Kayla shared that she had long been motivated to study away from home and pursue her education at UGM.
She explained that her choice was driven by admiration for UGM’s commitment to supporting marginalized communities, which aligns with the values of her chosen study program.
“One of the main objectives of Urban and Regional Planning is to ensure equal access for all levels of society to a good quality of life through spatial planning. So, I think this vision is well aligned with UGM’s values and my personal motivation,” she explained.
Kayla also reflected on her academic experience at the program, which she described as the most memorable part of her journey.
Each semester, she took studio courses that required group work and field practice.
This dynamic, according to Kayla, helped shape her character.
From being rather individualistic and lacking confidence in public speaking, she learned to communicate effectively, coordinate with her team, and express her opinions.
“I used to not be adventurous, but I became accustomed to fieldwork, from surveying forests, exploring villages, getting lost on the road, to riding a motorbike on the Pantura highway crowded with trucks. These were experiences I had never imagined before, but they shaped who I am today,” she said.
For fellow students who are still pursuing their studies, Kayla offered advice on the importance of having clear goals in life.
With awareness of the direction one wants to pursue, it becomes easier to balance various aspects of life.
“In addition, always pray and have someone you trust, whether family or friends, to share your stories with. External evaluations are also important to help maintain life balance,” she advised.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Kayla