MY ABILITY

As I mentioned what I wanted to be in the future, I must do hard work from now on. So here's my plan for graduating on time based on my ability.

 First Semester 

In the 1st semester, it's the right time to find a new friend and catch up with seniors. As a new student, I am very enthusiastic when meeting new people. I am a person who easily socializes, and of course this is not a difficult thing for me. I will also build good relationships with lecturers and academic staff because this can provide very useful support and guidance during my studies. My seniors said that in this semester I have to focus on my studies and never underestimate all the courses. It's easier to get a 3.5-4.0 GPA. So I need to focus on this semester.

I have to set boundaries for unnecessary things. I am able to organize the activities that I do. I usually make a to-do list. This makes it easier for me to map out what time and activities I need to do first. I have to balance the needs and wants, especially for new students like me. It is very easy to get carried away when a friend invites you to study together in a cafe. Things like this should be avoided in order to save costs and not be distracted by the environment in the cafe. This small thing will always be my consideration in setting boundaries between needs and wants.

I will look for opportunities to get involved in organizations and committee activities. For me, this will not only expand my social network but also provide an opportunity to develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

 Second Semester 

In the 2nd semester, I've already adapted to the campus environment and am aware of the lecture guidelines. I am a forward-thinking person. I will start building personal branding through various social media such as Instagram, TikTok, and filling in my experience on LinkeId. Therefore, I'll make an effort to join groups and organizations, internal or external, and also go to events like webinars or seminars to gain experience. 

I am a person who is good at time management. I have to strike a balance between academics and extracurricular activities. I'll also keep working to improve my GPA. This semester I will start looking for exchange programs, such as the Indonesia International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA). By participating in internal or external events and organizations, I hope this will be a good qualification. It will increase the chances of passing the test. I will also start TOEFL/IELTS preparation to get a high final score.

 Third Semester 

In the 3rd semester, I have been able to maintain a balance between my academics and extracurricular activities. I'll begin to identify and choose the important specializations that align with my passion, like structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, road and transportation, or water resource engineering. I'll get the sources of information from seniors and lecturers, making it easier for me to choose and map out in advance the major concentration that suits my interests and talents. 

Aside from that, I will take charge of organizations such as HMTS, BEM, or other external campus events. This is very important in order to improve my knowledge and soft skills and avoid having to start from nothing once I graduate from college. I will also attempt freelancing work. Apart from increasing your income, taking part in freelance work can also increase your soft skills in time management. 

I am a person who likes challenges. For me, testing my abilities regularly is important. Therefore, I'll challenge myself by joining a competition, both national and international, to evaluate my competence.

Fourth Semester

Previously, in the 2nd semester, I had started paying in installments for the requirements for joining the IISMA program, such as my English language skills with proof of TOEFL/IELTS test scores requirement and my various experiences in the previous semester. Therefore, in the 4th semester I will be ready to take part in the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) Program. My destination is University of Toronto, Canada. Because it is one of the universities with the best civil engineering majors in the world.

 Fifth Semester 

In the 5th semester, I'll put my full attention into my coursework while decreasing the time for extracurricular activities. My time management skills will be very useful. Because in this semester, I will start to gain new skills through internship activities while finding references for the title of my final assignment (thesis). Of course, this way, I will graduate on time. Also, I'll always ensure my GPA is stable.

 Sixth Semester 

Then, continuing what I began in 5th semester, I will continue to improvise in 6th semester. Following the To-Do List I made before, I'll put more of a priority on my education, leave some organizations behind, and take part in freelance work or internships. Also, I will complete my CV and my LinkedIn with all my experiences from the first semester.

Seventh Semester

In the 7th semester, I will start completing my thesis and other graduation requirements. I will still take part in the internship, but it will not be as intense as the previous semester. The priority list will be so important to increasing your productivity. So then, I can focus more on graduating on time. Don't forget, I will set a target to complete my thesis so that I can manage my time between internship and thesis.

 Eighth Semester 

Next, in 8th semester, I will focus on my thesis and be more consistent than in the previous semester. Besides that, I will always consult more with my lecture so I can do an excellent thesis and pass the thesis defense smoothly. Before graduation, I will look for job vacancies. 

That's all my plan and strategies to graduate on time. Besides that, I will get many soft skills by following this method. But remember, there's no easy way to be successful. Stay healthy, pray to Allah, and ask for your parents's blessing. Insyaallah, everything is going to be great.