It had never crossed Cynthia Fransisca’s (22) mind that she would become the best graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM). Born and raised on Bangka Island, far from Indonesia’s major education centers, she felt that studying at UGM was a dream she could not reach.
Today, that once-unimaginable dream has become reality. Cynthia was admitted to UGM and began her studies in the Accounting Study Program in 2022. She has now completed her degree in just 3 years, 4 months, and 12 days, earning an outstanding GPA of 3.97. She graduated cum laude and was named the best graduate at the Graduation Ceremony for Period II, Academic Year 2025/2026. For Cynthia, this achievement is not merely a number but the result of perseverance and determination to keep moving forward despite doubts.
Facing Doubts
Cynthia admitted that she once did not dare to dream of studying at UGM. With both parents having completed only elementary school and having limited networks, she began her journey with many uncertainties. Over time, she realized that privilege does not always come in the form of convenience.
“Privilege does not come to everyone in the same way or at the same time. It is not always about ease, but often about opportunity—the opportunity to learn, to try, and to persist,” she said during the graduation ceremony on Tuesday afternoon (February 24, 2026).
Entering FEB UGM, Cynthia realized that every student starts from the same point. Coming from a vocational high school (SMK), she did not feel inferior. In fact, she felt confident in introductory accounting courses because of her prior knowledge. However, in subjects such as economic mathematics, she had to work harder to catch up with peers from general high schools.
“On one hand, I felt ahead in certain subjects. But on the other hand, there were times I understood the least. That’s when I learned that in university, everything resets to zero. What makes the difference is the willingness to keep learning,” she explained.
Active in Organizations and Competitions
In addition to focusing on academics, Cynthia was actively involved in non-academic activities. She joined the Accounting Students Association of Gadjah Mada (IMAGAMA) and participated in various program committees. In her second semester, she was selected as a recipient of the Tanoto Teladan Scholarship 2023–2026 from Tanoto Foundation. Through the Tanoto Scholar Association (TSA) UGM, she served as both a staff member and, later, a networking division manager, expanding her professional network and leadership skills.
Starting in her fifth semester, Cynthia began focusing more on competitions. Together with her team, she won 3rd place at the Udayana International Accounting Competition 2024. This achievement motivated her to pursue further challenges.
She also earned a Gold Medal at the International Youth Business Competition 2024 hosted by Universitas Diponegoro and secured 2nd place at the Decarbonizing Indonesia Business Case Competition 2025. There were also times when she only reached the semifinals or had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts with her academic commitments. Nevertheless, she believes the learning process is more valuable than the outcome.
“Not every competition has to end in victory. What matters is learning to think critically, work in teams, and solve problems systematically,” Cynthia said.
Continuing to Grow
Behind her many achievements, Cynthia acknowledged that her academic journey was not always smooth. At the beginning of many semesters, she felt overwhelmed by schedule changes and new learning patterns. She even experienced burnout several times. From these experiences, she learned to recognize her limits, organize her schedule more effectively, and set clear priorities. These lessons shaped her perspective on success.
Cynthia believes her time at FEB UGM strengthened her resilience, growth mindset, and decision-making skills through careful prioritization. Integrity and discipline became core values she developed, while the supportive campus environment helped expand her network and confidence.
During her graduation speech, Cynthia reminded fellow graduates not to feel pressured to compete after graduation.
“We may graduate on the same day, but we will not walk the same path. Success is not about who moves the fastest, but about who stays true to their calling,” she said.
She added that in a fast-paced world filled with comparisons, people often feel left behind. In reality, everyone has different backgrounds, processes, values, and dreams. What matters most is moving forward with awareness, integrity, and courage.
Even before graduating, Cynthia had already secured a position at one of the world’s leading public accounting firms, Ernst & Young (EY). For her, this achievement reflects consistency and the courage to seize opportunities throughout her studies.
She encouraged students not to be trapped by the fear of missing out (FOMO), emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and planning when setting priorities. She concluded with a quote from Carl Jung:
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate.”
Reporter: Dwi Zhafirah Meiliani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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