Learning All Year Round: Academic Reflections at UMKT

umkt.ac.id, Samarinda – Learning never truly stops at the classroom door or ends with the academic calendar. At Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT), the academic process is defined as a continuous journey that spans the entire year — from the first day of the semester to its close, and from understanding theory to applying it in the real world. Learning is not solely determined with grades; it is also about the growth of a mindset, the formation of character, and the readiness to contribute to our society.

Throughout the academic year, lectures and discussions at UMKT serve as the initial ground for honing critical reasoning and broadening perspectives. Meanwhile, exams, assignments, and various evaluations train students in diligence and responsibility. This process is enriched by research activities, laboratory practice, and applied projects that encourage students to bridge the gap between theory and everyday reality. Furthermore, involvement in community service and collaborative efforts enriches the learning experience while fostering social awareness.

These academic experiences are felt directly by students from diverse backgrounds. Syafira Al Ulya Astutik, an undergraduate Nursing student, views her college journey as a lesson in self-management. Balancing her roles as a student, a teacher, and an activist in an external organization, her biggest challenge has been time management. With every responsibility holding equal priority, she has had to develop discipline, effective time management skills, and the ability to prioritize to ensure all obligations are met optimally.

Over time, Syafira has noticed a significant transformation within herself. She has become more independent, responsible, and accustomed to critical thinking when facing problems. Her experience in teaching and organizing has shaped her into a more mature, communicative individual capable of making well-considered decisions. For her, learning outside the classroom serves as a vital complement to academic study. Organizations taught her leadership, teamwork, and program management, while teaching taught her the meaning of responsibility, empathy, and effective communication.

From this entire process, Syafira has drawn a valuable life lesson: commitment, consistency, and balance are the keys to continued growth. Busyness is not an excuse to give up, but a challenge to manage oneself better.

A similar reflection was shared by Winda Styawati, an undergraduate Accounting student. She noted that her biggest challenge during college was managing time, especially when assignments piled up with tight deadlines. However, this pressure ultimately fostered her maturity and independence. Winda admits she is now more deliberate in her actions and takes greater responsibility for herself. Her involvement in campus organizations provided new experiences, expanded her network, and taught her the importance of teamwork. Through her academic journey, Winda learned that life is a process; failure is natural as long as it is met with effort, patience, and a refusal to give up.

In this learning journey, the role of lecturers and the academic environment at UMKT are integral. Lecturers are present both as teachers and facilitators in guiding the students' academic process, strengthen the culture of research and literacy, and open spaces for dialogue that encourage critical thinking. UMKT’s inclusive and collaborative environment allows students to ask questions, discuss, and grow according to their own potential.

Learning at UMKT also finds its meaning through the implementation of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (The Three Pillars of Higher Education). Research activities become tangible learning tools where students and lecturers collaborate to unearth knowledge and solutions to various problems. Community service provides a space to cultivate empathy while applying learned knowledge, ensuring the impact of education is felt not just on campus, but by the wider community. It is at this point that learning finds its true essence: that is, when knowledge provides real benefits.

More than just academic achievements, this year-round learning process shapes student values and character. Discipline, responsibility, ethics, and social care grow alongside the academic journey. These values align with the spirit of Muhammadiyah and "progressive education," which form the foundation of UMKT’s mission to produce intellectual individuals who are both morally grounded and highly competitive.

As we look toward the next semester and academic year, UMKT continues to foster hope for improved academic quality and a spirit of sustainable learning. The entire academic community is invited to keep moving forward, adapting, and growing together in this dynamic educational ecosystem.

Ultimately, learning is a lifelong journey. It is not about who reaches the finish line the fastest, but about who is consistent enough to keep evolving. Through this commitment, UMKT reaffirms its role as a space for lifelong learning—a place where every individual can grow, process, and give meaning to themselves and society.

Author: Raisha Azzahro

Translator: M. Rafly Raihandy