Balikpapan — Academic journeys do not always follow a straight path. This is reflected in the inspiring story of Farida Amanah, an Industrial Engineering student at Institut Teknologi Kalimantan, who achieved a GPA of 3.71 and was named the highest GPA recipient at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Technology (FRTI).

Behind her achievement, Farida admitted that she once experienced a period of uncertainty in determining her interests and academic focus. As an Industrial Engineering student, a field known for its broad scope, she initially felt confused about which direction to pursue.

“Industrial Engineering is such a broad field, and I was once confused about what I wanted to focus on. There were times when I felt lost,” she shared.

However, these challenges did not make her give up. With support from her academic supervisors and a supportive campus environment, Farida gradually rediscovered her learning rhythm. She emphasized that discipline and consistency were the main keys to completing her studies on time.

“Don’t wait until later. Just start now, take it step by step, stay consistent, and never give up easily,” she advised.

One of the biggest challenges she faced was completing her thesis, especially during the data collection process, which was delayed for some time. She even admitted that she temporarily “disappeared” from supervision sessions because she felt she was making no progress. However, with encouragement from her lecturers, she regained her motivation and completed her research successfully.

In her thesis, Farida explored product quality analysis in the bottled drinking water industry, particularly focusing on defective products (rejects) and productivity. Her research highlighted the relationship between product defect rates and production performance.

Farida’s academic journey was also enriched by seven months of internship experience and practical work at government institutions involved in river basin management and construction. These experiences broadened her practical understanding beyond the classroom.

She also expressed that her success would not have been possible without the caring support of her lecturers.

“The lecturers at ITK are incredibly supportive. Even when I had not found a topic and struggled with data collection, they continued to guide me. It felt like having parents on campus,” she said.

Looking ahead, Farida plans to continue gaining experience through work or internships, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which has now become her area of interest.

As she concluded her journey as a university student, Farida shared a simple yet powerful message for fellow ITK students.

“Just trust the process. If problems come, face them. Don’t give up just because you haven’t found your direction yet. Everything can be learned,” she concluded.

Farida Amanah’s achievement proves that even a journey filled with uncertainty can still lead to success when accompanied by hard work, perseverance, and the right support system.