For Aaz Anzali, college is not just a journey to earn a bachelor's degree. More than that, four years in the classroom are a chance to try new things, develop oneself, and prepare real contributions to society. That principle carried her to become the best and fastest graduate at the Period I Graduation Ceremony of Academic Year 2026/2027 of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Multi Purpose Building.

The graduate, from the Islamic Community Development Study Program (PMI) in the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, completed her studies in 3 years, 9 months, and 2 days with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.95. The achievement is proof that academic success can go hand in hand with organizational experience, self-development, and social involvement.

Behind her achievement, Aaz has a simple principle: don't hesitate to try. She has always tried to use the opportunities that came up during college as spaces for learning. For her, the courage to try new things is one of the keys to growth, both academically and personally.

But the journey was not without challenges. Aaz admits that her biggest challenge in college came from herself, especially in fighting laziness and staying consistent. To overcome it, she kept returning to the goals she had set at the start of her first year.

"I made a plan for the next four to five years. So I had to stay consistent with what I had started," she said.

That plan became Aaz's guide in managing her time and setting priorities. She realized that finishing her studies well takes discipline, commitment, and the ability to make use of every opportunity. From her experiences, she summed up three important lessons: valuing time, discipline, and consistency.

For Aaz, being an outstanding student is not shown through academic achievement alone. As an Islamic Community Development student, she sees direct involvement with the community as an important part of the educational process.

"Achievement is not only about academics, but also about how we respect and blend in with society. The key for students is to be an agent of change in society," she said.

That view was reflected in the experiences she took part in during college. One was the chance to become a research assistant at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), in a study on tourism and cultural heritage.

Through that experience, Aaz learned how historic buildings and relics of the past can be developed into sources of livelihood for communities. One lesson she gained concerned the potential of cultural heritage in Temanggung.

The experience broadened her perspective on community development. She did not only study theory in the classroom but also saw firsthand how local potential, history, and culture can hold social and economic value for people's lives.

For her, experience outside the academic setting was an important complement to understanding what she studied. Knowledge should not stop as a concept but should be translated into something useful for the surrounding community.

Behind her academic journey are two people who have always been a source of strength for Aaz: her father and mother. She calls her parents the most inspiring people, who keep her striving to give her best.

"Without them I wouldn't have made it this far. What drives me is the two of them," she said.

Now, having completed her bachelor's journey with a proud record, Aaz has prepared her next steps. She wants to apply her Islamic Community Development knowledge in the workplace while keeping open the chance to pursue a master's degree.

She even has the goal of continuing her studies abroad. For her, graduation is not the end of learning but the start of a new responsibility to keep developing herself.

"My next homework is consistency in learning, learning, and learning. God willing (insyaallah), I hope I can continue my studies abroad," she said.

To students still in school, Aaz urges them not to be afraid to try new experiences and challenges. She hopes students will use their time in college to grow, broaden their horizons, and discover the best potential within themselves.

"Always stay motivated, consistent, and steadfast (istiqamah). Don't give up for a brighter future," she said.

Aaz's story is one picture of how success in higher education is not measured only by how quickly someone finishes or how high their academic record is. More than that, education is also about the courage to explore one's potential, build character, and grow concern for society.

Through its academic environment and many opportunities for self-development, UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues to encourage students to grow into people who are intellectually outstanding and socially sensitive. For knowledge, in the end, must not only be mastered but also put to work as a benefit for life. (humassk)