Joy filled Anisa Nurmalitasari, the younger of two siblings, as she fulfilled her family’s dream of pursuing higher education at 18 in the Nutrition and Health Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM). The family was overjoyed as Nurma secured a fully subsidized Outstanding Education Scholarship, covering 100 percent of her tuition fees (UKT), allowing her to study at UGM free of charge, admitted through the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP).
In the heart of Yogyakarta, in Notoyudan, the family lives modestly while supporting Nurma’s aspirations. Her family’s encouragement became her determination. Attending SMAN 1 Yogyakarta provided Nurma with opportunities to excel academically and compete with high-achieving peers. Her leadership skills were developed through her roles as Head of the Literacy Division, Deputy Head of Rohis Al-Uswah, and a member of All Nation Teenagers. Being surrounded by productive, motivated peers inspired her to work even harder to keep pace with them.
At the announcement day, Nurma felt extremely anxious. She struggled to focus and could only pray continuously. Accompanied by her parents and older sibling, she waited for the result, and the atmosphere at home erupted in tears of joy when she was accepted.
“I closed my eyes because I was too afraid to look at the laptop screen. My family ended up opening it first, and then they started shouting. That’s when I realized and joined in the excitement. Alhamdulillah, I was so happy and never expected it,” she recalled on Tuesday (Jun. 23).
Nurma said that being accepted to UGM through SNBP was the result of a long journey. Since her first year of high school, she had set her sights on studying at UGM and committed to maintaining academic performance and study discipline.
“My strategy was to focus on my grades, maintain them, and keep improving them so I could also achieve a high ranking at school,” she explained.
She shared that her study routine began at three o’clock every morning and continued until school time. After school, she resumed studying and often stayed in the library until as late as eleven at night. Her home environment made it difficult to concentrate.
“My father often took me to the UGM library so I could study there until late at night,” she said.
Her interest in the Nutrition Program stemmed from her passion for health sciences and their close connection to everyday life.
“I reflected on what people absolutely need to survive, and food came to mind. Then I connected food and health, and that led me to nutrition,” she explained.
Her confidence in the program had been firmly established through discussions with family and school counselors. Nurma said she submitted only one study program during the SNBP registration process. She eventually became one of 76 students from SMAN 1 Yogyakarta admitted through SNBP.
“I was completely certain about nutrition. I had discussed it with my parents and my school counselor. In the end, I was convinced this was the right program for me, and I had no other choice,” she said.
As she prepares for university life, Nurma has been spending her time developing her skills. She has enrolled in English language training, taken freelance jobs to earn additional income, and participated in seminars and workshops.
“I’ve joined UGM’s 1001 Activities group, so I actively participate in seminars, workshops, and even certificate-based programs,” she said.
Her father, Agus Nurhadi, expressed profound gratitude over Nurma’s admission to UGM, especially with a full scholarship. Before the announcement, he had worried about the tuition costs given the family’s financial circumstances.
“I never imagined this would happen. I’m self-employed, so sometimes there is income, and sometimes there isn’t. This is truly extraordinary, and I’m deeply grateful. For me, this is UGM’s appreciation in allowing my daughter to continue her education at UGM,” he said.
Nurhadi runs the family’s peanut snack business, supplying products to several angkringan food stalls around their neighborhood. Every morning and evening, he delivers his products to dozens of stalls.
“I leave my products at those angkringan stalls to support our daily needs. Alhamdulillah, it has been enough to provide for the family. As for other needs, I believe that when the time comes, there is always a way,” he said.
Meanwhile, her mother, Sri Damaryati, consistently reminded Nurma to accept any outcome with an open heart. She praised her daughter’s dedication to studying past midnight to keep up with classmates who attended private tutoring. She firmly believed that education could become a pathway to improving the family’s economic condition.
“I always encouraged Nurma to stay optimistic and never be afraid to compete,” she said.
Nurma acknowledged that her family’s support accompanied her throughout her journey. She described her father as a hardworking man who supported her studies while serving as the family’s primary breadwinner. Her mother was always at the forefront, as a role model who restored her motivation whenever she felt exhausted from studying.
“My older sibling also motivated me to pursue higher education and helped me whenever I encountered difficulties in my studies,” she said.
For other students striving to achieve their dreams, Nurma offered a message of perseverance.
“Keep your spirits up because there is always a way. If you have set your heart on a goal, then you must work even harder so that your dreams and aspirations can become reality,” she said.
Author: Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photos: Jesi and Nurma Documentation