"I'll be holding that trophy."

I did it! I graduated.

Remembering years ago in the same building wearing my blue alma mater as a freshman, I witnessed what I dream to achieved in my own graduation. I dreamed to hold the trophy of best graduate.

The Trophy

Years after long journey of college, on Tuesday, October 16^th 2018, I was given the trophy of best graduate. I graduated with a cumlaude of 3.80 GPA. I am not a typical girl who easily cries, no matter how sad, disappointed or heartbroken, I found myself difficult to cry. My way of crying has always been the watery eyes and feeling the heat through my vein. Believe me, when the day ended I cried my tears out in bed. Looking back when I first started the “Best Graduate Trophy Operation” Hahaha, those years were full of hardship. 

Graduation is a life time special moment, feeling grateful and proud. The ladies would spend days before making sure to appear their very best. As an Indonesian, wearing a kebaya is a tradition in graduation ceremony. My mom picked up a white simple brokat, she knows how I like simple things. As for the skirt I turned my late grandmother's batik shawl into a style by following youtube tutorial. Most girls prefer to have their make up done by a professional, i had mine done through youtube tutorial. A week before graduation I trained myself, therefore I don't have to go to salon. I hate going to the salon, I know, not a typical female being. Here is the video where I taught myself;

As the ceremony started, I felt my heart pounding each second. When they called my name as the best graduate I felt as if thousand of ants marching down my feet for them not able to walk. I know how nervous I am because as the picture was taken I couldn’t make the best smile. The moment I have been imagining years ago finally happen for real. 

The ceremony ended perfectly, and I couldn’t be more happier with the appearance of friends and family. Ranti and Azki came and congratulated me. They both knew me more than anyone beside my parents, they brought me sunflower which made me so happy. From both of them, I received photo frame because they know I love sticking picture on to the wall, a coffee mug because I couldn’t live the day without my morning coffee, and a cute notebook for my habit of writing and sketching unimportant thing.

Azki & Ranti, eight years of endless friendship.

Ranti & Azki

My volunteers friends also appeared on my special day. They are all younger than me but bigger than me. Hahaha. They maybe young but they have been my inspiration with their noble and kind heart, nowadays is hard to find people who would sacrifice their free time volunteering.

Arief, Tita, Ayu & Fahmi

Congratulate also came from my classmates and friends from campus, Fina, Fani, Sisi, and Ruby were there. Ever since college started the five of us been together, Me, Ruby, Sisi, Fani and Fina. Despite the exhaustion, these four made my college years filled with craziness and laughter. Now there are just Fani and Fina yet to graduate. Fina flattered my heart when she hugged me and gave me flowers.

“I am yet ready to let you go,” she said.

Then a promise I made, “I’ll visit you at campus at least twice a month.”

“Just make sure to graduate next year, okay?”

Fina, Ruby, Sisi & Fani

Closest classmates

"Best Graduate Trophy Operation"

College years were beyond I imagined. The thought of it would be less easier than school just faded away. The obligation to be active in organization is part of the requirement to graduate. However, I still have my “Best Graduate Trophy Operation”, I have to manage both without failing either one. My sleep hours were deprived, due to all the obligation I must finish in organizing an event at campus and studies to maintain my GPA. My parents both worried about my safety living alone, therefore I decided to live with them. The distance between campus and home took two hours of train journey, sometimes less depend on the rush hour time. Though I always arrived home late, I have to squished the time to study and review what’s given by the lectures. Saturday and Sunday I slept in all the time, I woke up at noon. What I missed the most was spending time with my best friend Ranti and Azki, which we have been together since the first year of high school. Ever since college started, we have not been able to see each other, yet alone calling to hear any interesting news. We sent text but took awhile to respond. Ranti was major in Architecture at one of University in Jakarta and Azki was major in Communication Science at University out of town. They were both busy as well, that we never seen each other. I never spend my Saturday and Sunday going to the mall, instead I used the time to do my numerous tasks. I sometime found time to go to the mall, but only for specific purpose. Freshman was the hardest years until I reached my senior year. Since first semester I have always given my best, therefore the result allowed myself to take extra classes. By the time of senior year, there only few classes left for me to take. Therefore, senior years were less exhausting because even though I have practicums and the final as well, I didn’t have to worry about my classes. 

Selma’s “Best Graduates Operation” Tips:

1. Set you determination to the fullest.
2. Fill your mind with; "I'll be holding that trophy." "I own that trophy."
3. Time management; finish the importance first, never stop until it is done perfectly, and never wait until the last minutes but starts the next tasks as soon as the previous assigned task finished.
4. Make sacrifices; there will be time to freely enjoy ourselves, prioritize your goal. Giving up Saturday night for assignment is a big sacrifice. 
5. Maintain perfect grooming; take good care of yourself, shower twice a day as possible, you'll be able to manage as much experience as possible when you appear confident.
6. Be perfectionist; to never think "at least I finish my assignment," but give your time and effort to turn in a perfect paper.
7. Make a head start; lectured yourself before being lectured, therefore you are prepared to actively participate in class.
8. Hard work will paid off; reward will be given at the right time.
9. One of my lecture Mrs. Risna once said, "If you are unprepared, you prepare to fail."
10. Believe that those who stay with you during your crucial and hardest time, are your true love and support. Never cry for anyone who doesn't deserve you.
11. What ever the result is, what matters is you had given the fullest.