Takbir’s Journey: MAN 1 Yogyakarta Student Earns Admission to UGM, ITB, and UNS

Written by: Deti Prasetyaningrum, S.Pd (Teacher of MAN 1 Yogyakarta)

For Takbir Cendekia Aswaja, failure is not the end of the journey. Instead, failure is a sign that someone needs to improve their strategy, strengthen their mindset, and continue fighting with greater determination.

As the Vice President of the Student Council (OSIS) at MAN 1 Yogyakarta, Takbir experienced the disappointment of being rejected from several university admission selections. However, he did not allow that disappointment to stop him. After a long journey, Takbir was eventually accepted into three public universities: Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS).

His journey began at the start of Grade 12. At the time, Takbir was still carrying a major responsibility as part of the committee for the 15th Lustrum celebration of MAN 1 Yogyakarta. He had to divide his attention between supporting the school’s major event and preparing for university entrance examinations.

In this situation, Takbir realized that success requires sacrifice and the ability to set priorities.

“What I had to sacrifice was my free time, meeting friends, and other activities that needed to be given lower priority. I did not reduce my study time,” he said.

From the beginning, he created a one-year plan covering the National Achievement-Based Selection (SNBP), the National Test-Based Selection (SNBT), and independent university admission pathways. For him, preparing for different possibilities was not a sign of pessimism but a way to stay on track when the main plan did not work out.

Takbir began studying basic UTBK materials while continuing to review school subjects for the Academic Ability Test. His commitment was reflected in his habit of attending additional study sessions until midnight at Edulab tutoring center. With such a busy schedule, there were times when he only returned home two or three times a week.

After learning that he had not been accepted through SNBP, Takbir did not give up. Instead, he decided to stay in a rented room for a month so he could focus more intensively on preparing for the UTBK.

Thirty days before the UTBK, he made an unusual decision. Takbir stopped attending regular classes and focused on practice questions and self-evaluation. He created his own study program called “One Day One Tryout.”

For six days a week, Takbir completed practice tests from various learning applications and platforms. He started his mornings by jogging or working out at a fitness center before having breakfast. At around 9 a.m., he went to Collab Hub UGM to work on practice tests until noon. In the afternoon, he reviewed his results, studied his mistakes, and discussed difficult questions with friends until the evening.

He spent Sundays resting, swimming, or playing games. For Takbir, studying is not the only factor that determines success. Physical and mental well-being also need to be maintained.

“There are other factors that help our brains work at their best, such as exercise, a healthy diet, enough rest, and taking time to refresh,” he explained.

However, his hard work did not immediately lead to the result he hoped for. Takbir once again had to face the reality that he had not passed the SNBT. He admitted that sadness was the first emotion he felt. However, he did not try to hide or deny it.

“Feeling sad is normal, and we need to let ourselves feel it fully. But life is not only about today, and it is not only about SNBT or getting into a public university. Life is much bigger than that,” he said.

Takbir believes that God has prepared the best path for everyone. In his view, failure does not mean that someone is incapable. It may simply mean that they need to improve themselves and try again through another opportunity.

This belief helped him quickly get back on his feet. He remembered the slogan of the Alnesa Competition 2024,

“Dream on, until your Dream Comes True.”

The phrase reminded him that dreams must continue to be pursued until they become reality.

When preparing for the independent university admission exams, Takbir changed his study strategy. While he had focused heavily on practice tests during his SNBT preparation, he shifted his attention to reviewing and studying Academic Ability Test materials that he had begun to forget.

At UGM, he applied for Actuarial Science and Civil Engineering. At ITB, he chose the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Faculty of Industrial Technology. Meanwhile, at UNS, he applied for Civil Engineering.

Takbir admitted that he was quite selective when choosing his study program. He only chose fields that truly matched his interests rather than simply pursuing the reputation of a university.

His efforts eventually paid off. He was accepted into UGM, ITB, and UNS.

“Alhamdulillah, I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to study at good universities. I am very happy because all my hard work has finally paid off,” he said.

After carefully considering his priorities, Takbir chose UGM as the place to continue his education. His decision was based on several factors, including the study program, the learning environment, and his future plans.

Behind his achievement, Takbir considers his parents to have played the most important role. They consistently supported him and gave him the freedom to make his own choices without putting pressure on him. Support also came from Edulab and his study friends, who provided spaces for discussion and motivation throughout his preparation.

To younger students, Takbir advised them to start setting their priorities when entering Grade 12. Organizational activities can still be continued as long as students are able to manage their time well.

“Remember, what you need to reduce is not your study time, but other activities. Make a plan from the beginning and always prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario,” he advised.

Takbir’s journey proves that one rejection is never enough to determine someone’s future. As long as a person continues to try, the words “Not Yet Successful” can eventually turn into several “Congratulations” at once.