Balikpapan -  Not succeeding through one admission pathway does not always mark the end of the journey. For Besty Desy Saputri Dewi, her unsuccessful attempt in the Achievement-Based National Selection, or SNBP, became a turning point that motivated her to prepare more seriously. Her determination eventually led her to achieve the highest UTBK score among students admitted to Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK).

The graduate of SMA Negeri 6 Balikpapan was accepted into her first choice, the Chemical Engineering Study Program at ITK’s Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Technology (FRTI), through the 2026 Test-Based National Selection, or SNBT.

Besty achieved a total UTBK score of 5,294.24, with an average score of 661.78. The result reflected the intensive preparation she began immediately after learning that she had not passed the SNBP selection.

Turning Failure into Motivation

During the SNBP selection, Besty applied to the Pharmacy Study Program. However, she later realized that the choice did not fully reflect the field she genuinely wanted to pursue. After the results were announced, she refused to allow the setback to stop her from moving forward.

Besty reconsidered which study program best suited her interests. Following discussions and consultations with her parents, she became increasingly confident in choosing Chemical Engineering at ITK as her main destination through the SNBT pathway.

“After I did not pass SNBP, I did not want to remain disappointed. I immediately began preparing myself and joined an intensive tutoring program for the UTBK,” Besty said.

Her decision led to an impressive result. She was not only accepted into the study program she wanted, but also recorded the highest UTBK score among ITK’s incoming students in 2026.

Motivated to Make Her Parents Proud

Besty’s greatest motivation during her UTBK preparation was her desire to make her parents proud. She also wanted to prove that she could recover from her previous setback and compete successfully through the test-based pathway.

For Besty, the achievement was not obtained instantly. She prepared through intensive study, completed numerous practice questions, and maintained her confidence that another opportunity remained open through SNBT.

Her journey demonstrates that failing to pass SNBP does not determine a student’s final opportunity to enter university. Through evaluation, stronger preparation, and a more carefully planned study strategy, failure can become the motivation to achieve a better result.

Confidently Choosing Chemical Engineering

Besty chose Chemical Engineering because she felt the field was more closely aligned with her interests and future study plans. Her decision to pursue her education at ITK was also strengthened by discussions with her parents.

Chemical Engineering combines principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering to transform raw materials into valuable products. The field offers broad applications across the energy, food, petrochemical, environmental, and advanced materials industries.

Being accepted into ITK’s Chemical Engineering Study Program was especially meaningful for Besty because she had successfully entered the field she genuinely wanted to pursue.

Impressed by ITK’s Campus Environment

As a Balikpapan resident, Besty had previously imagined ITK’s campus at Kilometer 15 as a distant location surrounded by forest. However, her impression changed when she visited the campus in person.

She was surprised by the scale of ITK’s buildings and the range of facilities available to support students’ academic activities.

“My first impression was that ITK’s buildings were much larger than I expected. At first, I thought that because the campus is located at Kilometer 15, it would feel like being in the middle of a forest, but it did not. The facilities are also comprehensive,” she said.

The experience further strengthened her confidence as she prepared to begin her journey as an ITK Chemical Engineering student.

Encouraging Mutual Support among New Students

As she enters university life, Besty hopes that ITK’s 2026 incoming students will support and help one another throughout the adaptation process.

She believes that every student has a different journey and faces different challenges. For that reason, mutual support is essential so that new students can grow together and navigate university life successfully.

Besty’s story serves as a reminder that one unsuccessful result does not define an entire journey. When the first path does not lead to the expected outcome, there are still opportunities to reflect, work harder, and discover a path toward the field one truly wishes to pursue.

After missing out on SNBP, Besty successfully bounced back, earned the highest UTBK score at ITK, and began a new chapter in her dream program—Chemical Engineering.