Growing up in a farming family in Semanu, Gunungkidul, Fecia Laura Revani learned early that pursuing higher education would require determination as much as ambition. Now, after years of hard work and perseverance, the 18-year-old has earned a place in the Agronomy Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), where she will begin pursuing the dream she has held since childhood.
Fecia is the youngest of two children. Her father, Subyono, works as a farm laborer, earning around IDR 1 million a month, while her mother, Puji, is a homemaker. Despite their limited income, her parents never discouraged her ambition to continue her education.
Throughout her years at SMA Negeri 1 Wonosari, Fecia balanced her studies with a wide range of extracurricular activities. She was active in the school’s Security Patrol organization and served as lead vocalist of the school band, which won several competitions. Even with a busy schedule, she remained focused on preparing for university entrance examinations.
“Whenever there were school exams, I focused on them first. Then, after school, I studied little by little whenever I had free time to prepare for the university entrance tests,” she said on Monday (July 20).
Fecia had long dreamed of studying agriculture, particularly crop cultivation. She first applied through the academic excellence-based admission pathway (SNBP) and later through the national entrance examination (SNBT), but neither attempt was successful.
Rather than giving up, she continued studying while keeping faith that another opportunity would come. Her persistence paid off when she was admitted to UGM’s Agronomy Study Program through the university’s Computer-Based Independent Admission Test (UM UGM CBT).
“I could hardly believe it when I saw the announcement,” she recalled.
Her mother said Fecia’s interest in agriculture had been evident from an early age.
“She has always loved plants and enjoyed growing them. That’s why she wanted to study agriculture and learn more about crop cultivation,” Puji said.
Although the family worried about the cost of higher education, Puji never wanted financial hardship to stand in the way of her daughter’s aspirations.
“Our financial situation is very limited. But from the beginning, I believed that God would open a way for my daughter,” she said.
That hope became reality when Fecia received UGM’s 100 Percent Subsidized Outstanding Education Scholarship, which fully covers her tuition fees.
For Fecia, the scholarship means more than financial assistance. It allows her to study in the field she loves while easing the burden on her parents, whose sacrifices have always inspired her to keep moving forward.
“They have sacrificed so much for me. They have given everything they could and worked tirelessly to support my education,” she said.
Her admission to UGM became a joyful milestone for the family. Puji said she and her husband would continue supporting their daughter throughout her studies while encouraging her to remain humble, work hard, and trust in God.
“We have always taught Fecia to pray sincerely, give her best effort, and leave the rest to God,” she said.
Looking ahead, Fecia hopes her journey will encourage other students facing similar circumstances to keep believing in their dreams.
“Even though I still have many shortcomings and sometimes feel I could have prepared better, I believe that hard work never betrays the results,” she said.
Her story reflects the belief that determination, family support, and perseverance can open opportunities regardless of financial circumstances. For Fecia, studying at UGM is not the end of the journey—it is the beginning of a future she has worked hard to achieve.
Author/Photo: Fatihah Salwa Rasyid
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyanandaningrat