UPNVJ Public Relations – Coming from a non-legal background did not prevent Aslihatin Zuliana from achieving top academic achievement in the Master of Law Program at the National Development University "Veteran" Jakarta (UPNVJ). The Mechanical Engineering graduate from Brawijaya University successfully completed her master's degree with a perfect GPA of 4.00. She achieved this through diligent study, the courage to adapt, and the support of her family, lecturers, fellow students, and work environment.
Aslihatin's journey to a Master of Laws degree was not an easy one. With a diverse academic background, she had to grasp various basic legal concepts she had never previously studied in depth.
"Because my background is non-legal, I have had to make a lot of adjustments," said Aslihatin.
The learning strategies that helped Aslihatin most during her studies were actively discussing with fellow students, expanding her knowledge through journals and literature, and not hesitating to confirm her understanding with her lecturers. For her, the learning process doesn't stop at reading the material; it also needs to be tested through dialogue and re-explanations.
"I tried to confirm with the lecturer whether my understanding was correct or not," he said.
Playing Three Roles at Once
During her studies, Aslihatin had to juggle three important roles: employee, housewife, and student. This required disciplined time management to ensure she could juggle all her responsibilities.
He admitted to using his mornings before work and evenings to read literature, prepare assignments, and deepen his study material. He also often cut back on his free time to achieve his academic goals.
"Because I've sacrificed family time and some of my work time to study, I have to utilize that time to get the best results possible," said Aslihatin.
For Aslihatin, limited time actually motivated her to study more diligently. She felt the need to deliver the best results possible, as her educational journey also involved sacrifices from her family and the support of her work environment.
“Reduce a little leisure time to complete assignments,” he said.
The Challenge of Understanding Legal Science
As a student with a non-legal background, Aslihatin's biggest challenge was understanding the foundations of legal science from the outset. He had to adapt his thinking from engineering to the legal field, which has different approaches, terminology, and analytical frameworks.
To overcome this challenge, Aslihatin developed a habit of discussing concepts. She not only engaged with lecturers but also frequently engaged in dialogue with classmates to ensure her understanding was correct.
"Not only to lecturers, but also to fellow students, I try to re-explain my understanding to get confirmation of its suitability," he said.
He also applied this habit when writing his thesis. Aslihatin actively consulted with his supervisor to ensure his research adhered to legal principles and had strong academic arguments.
Family Support and Learning Environment
Aslihatin acknowledges that her academic achievements were not achieved alone. She cites the support of lecturers, classmates, family, and colleagues as crucial to her success in completing her studies.
In particular, she dedicated this achievement to her husband and children who have given her space and understanding during her studies.
"I dedicate this achievement to my beloved family, my husband, and my children, who have sacrificed their family time for me to study and pursue my studies," said Aslihatin.
Besides her family, Aslihatin also felt helped by the supportive academic atmosphere in the UPNVJ Master of Laws class. She said the open and supportive learning environment made the adjustment process easier.
“Without them I wouldn't have had a good learning ecosystem,” he said.
Be persistent and don't be shy about asking questions
For Aslihatin, achieving a high GPA isn't just about intelligence, but also about consistency, sincerity, and the courage to ask questions when you don't understand the material. He believes the learning process will be more meaningful if students come to campus with the intention of seeking knowledge, not just chasing grades.
"The key is sincerity in completing every task and everything we have started with optimal consistency," he said.
He also advised other students not to be embarrassed to ask lecturers for explanations or discuss with friends when facing academic difficulties.
"Don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand, and clarify your intention: you came to campus solely to gain knowledge and understanding," he concluded.
Aslihatin's story is proof that UPNVJ continues to open up opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to develop and achieve. The spirit of lifelong learning, resilience in facing challenges, and support for an inclusive academic ecosystem align with UPNVJ's commitment to producing graduates who are adaptive, competent, and possess the character to defend the nation.