UNS – The Indonesian Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, organized a talk as part of the “Studi Alternatif dan Ajang Kreativitas” (SAJAK) event. This gathering was on Sunday (29/9/2024) in the Seminar Room of the Suharno Building, FIB UNS. The event, themed “Memulai Perjalanan Perkuliahan di Sastra Indonesia” (Starting Your Academic Journey in Indonesian Literature), aimed to welcome new students to the Indonesian Literature program at FIB UNS.
The guest speaker for the event was Pradana Ricardo, an alumnus of the Indonesian Literature program at UNS who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Linguistics at the University of Indonesia (UI). Also in attendance was the Head of the Indonesian Literature Program, Dr. Asep Yudha Wirajaya, S.S., M.A., who delivered opening remarks.
In his remarks, Dr. Asep expressed his hopes that the SAJAK event would continue to be held annually. “The key is to stay motivated until the end. I hope SAJAK will continue to be organized each year,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Pradana Ricardo, affectionately known as Ricard, delivered a presentation titled ‘Be an Outstanding Sastranesian’, offering tips on how to become an accomplished student in the Indonesian Literature program.
Ricardo, during his time as a student, gained recognition as the Central Java Language Ambassador and won numerous awards in national and international essay competitions. His involvement in student organizations is equally impressive, having served as President of the UNS Scientific Student Study Group (SIM) in 2022.
The first point that Ricardo shared was the importance of an open heart and mind. He encouraged new students to establish strong intentions and a sense of responsibility from the beginning of their academic journey.
“Additionally, building friendships and networks is crucial. New students should plan their direction early on. Honestly, we need to be proactive and get acquainted with senior students and lecturers from the start—that’s the trick to building connections. It’s fine to do so,” Ricardo explained.
He also emphasized the need for students to develop strategies to sustain themselves throughout their four-year academic journey, rather than simply going with the flow without a clear goal.
“In Indonesian Literature, it’s not just about learning to speak and use the Indonesian language; it’s about exploring culture, language, and literature in a broader sense. Our career prospects are vast, ranging from creative fields, public relations, editing, journalism, research, to broadcasting,” he concluded.
HUMAS UNS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
