Hayya Raisa Maharani (20) expressed joy and emotion on Wednesday (Feb. 26) as she became the youngest bachelor’s graduate at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).
Maharani, a graduate of the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) at the UGM Faculty of Psychology, shared her surprise at completing her studies so quickly.
At 20 years and 5 months old, she graduated with a GPA of 3.76, making her the youngest graduate in this commencement period.
She admitted to feeling both excited and nervous about starting a new chapter in life. At the same time, she felt sadness as she prepared to part ways with her friends and UGM.
“I’m thrilled to finish my bachelor’s degree after the past 3.5 years of effort and overcoming the challenges,” she said on Monday (Mar. 3).
Maharani attributed her early graduation to having participated in an acceleration program during high school, which allowed her to complete her studies in just two years.
“I joined an acceleration program in high school, so it helped me complete tasks faster, like working on my undergrad thesis,” she explained.
Her thesis, titled Parental Differential Treatment and Its Predictive Impact on Romantic Attachment Style Among Indonesian University Students, examined how variations in parenting could influence romantic attachment styles among university students in Indonesia.
Maharani admitted that the process was not without challenges. Conducting her thesis entirely online created a sense of isolation and led to moments of demotivation.
During her university years, Maharani was active beyond academics. In her fifth semester, she was selected for the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland.
Through IISMA, she took courses across various disciplines, offering fresh perspectives and expanding her academic experience.
While abroad, she also actively participated in extracurricular activities. Maharani served as a Co-Student Representative for IISMA at UCC, supporting fellow awardees throughout their stay. Together, they initiated two programs, Rona Jiwa and Widyaloka, to introduce Indonesian culture to the Irish community.
She also led a campaign focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and hosted an online talk show promoting IISMA and studying abroad, particularly in the UK and Ireland.
“From all these experiences, I not only learned many skills, but I also gained confidence by trying new things,” she said.
When asked about her decision to study psychology, Maharani explained her deep interest in understanding how the human mind works and how people behave.
She also found that studying psychology helped her better understand mental health, which she believes is just as important as physical health. In the future, she hopes to become a psychologist and help others.
“Psychology is definitely useful in many aspects of life, and I plan to apply what I’ve learned to better understand myself and others, as well as to continue personal growth,” she added.
As for tips on graduating young with a cum laude distinction, Maharani emphasized that life is not a race. While others may seem ahead, having landed their dream jobs or achieved impressive milestones, these accomplishments should not become a source of comparison.
To her, everyone walks their own path at their own pace.
“It’s normal to sometimes feel like you’re falling behind, but remember that you’re walking your own path. I hope whatever you’re doing now brings you happiness. May you chase your dreams and aspirations while positively impacting yourself and those around you,” the graduate advised.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya