Image: Pelangi Masita Wati receiving her diploma during the graduation ceremony at ITS.

Surabaya, F-ELECTICS ITS – Going through university is not just about attending classes and completing assignments. For some students, college becomes a space to grow through both academic and non-academic experiences. This is precisely what Pelangi Masita Wati, an Informatics student at ITS, has demonstrated by earning the highest SKEM credit thanks to her consistent involvement in various activities throughout her studies.

Not only excelling in SKEM achievements, Pelangi has also earned remarkable accomplishments at both national and international levels. She won 1st place in GEMASTIK 2024, one of the most prestigious technology competitions for university students in Indonesia. In addition, she also became a winner in the Google Hackathon, further affirming her capabilities in innovation and technology.

For Pelangi, her journey as an Informatics student at ITS has been both memorable and full of valuable lessons. She believes that a supportive academic environment plays an important role in personal growth.

“It’s been really fun. Aside from academic activities in class, even though computer science is quite challenging, the lecturers and friends are very supportive, helping me grow and gain a lot of insight,” she said.

Image: A collection of photos of Pelangi Masita Wati participating in various internships, technology competitions, and international programs abroad, which became key to her success in achieving the highest SKEM credit in Informatics ITS.

During her studies, Pelangi did not only focus on classroom learning. She actively participated in hackathon competitions, international programs, and several internships. Amid her busy schedule, she also made time for hobbies such as hiking and swimming as a way to balance her daily activities.

Interestingly, Pelangi admitted that from the beginning she did not have a specific goal to achieve the highest SKEM credit. In fact, she only learned about this distinction during her time in university. According to her, all the activities she pursued were purely driven by curiosity and passion for things she enjoyed. She also recalled a moment during faculty orientation when students were asked to write dozens of goals they wanted to achieve during college. Unconsciously, this habit of setting goals became a strong driving force in her journey, helping many of her aspirations come true. In balancing academic and non-academic activities, Pelangi emphasized the importance of setting priorities. Academics remain the main focus, while extracurricular activities are chosen based on personal interests and future goals.

She believes that students need to choose activities that truly align with their passion so that the time and energy invested yield maximum results. As schedules become more demanding, time management and discipline become key factors in ensuring that everything runs as planned. At the beginning of her studies, Pelangi explored various activities to find what suited her best. Over time, she was able to identify which activities aligned with her personal goals and which ones she needed to let go.

“Priority scale is important, use your time wisely,” she stated.

She also mentioned that the activities contributing most to her SKEM credit were those relevant to her major, such as academic competitions and professional skill development. Behind her achievements, Pelangi still faced challenges, one of which was determining the right activities during her early college years. However, as she gained more experience, she began to find a pattern that suited her character and needs.

To maintain productivity amid numerous activities, Pelangi believes that doing what you love makes the process feel lighter. When she starts to feel tired, she usually takes quality rest, discusses ideas with like-minded friends, reads books, or engages in other light activities.

These experiences have brought many benefits to her. She feels she has become more adaptive, accustomed to working with diverse types of people, and gained a broader perspective. Moreover, her college journey has provided her with meaningful memories and valuable friendships. Pelangi shared that the greatest lesson from her journey is the belief that anything is possible as long as it is supported by strong determination and consistent effort.

For other students who want to optimize their SKEM achievements from the beginning of their studies, she advises them to keep academics as the top priority. Meanwhile, other activities can serve as a means of self-development as well as preparation for future careers. Pelangi’s achievements prove that success in college does not always begin with big targets. Sometimes, the best results come from the courage to try, the consistency to grow, and the sincerity in pursuing what you truly love.