My First Year at Politeknik Negeri Batam

Born and raised in Batam, I have always been interested in logic, mathematics, and technology since junior high school. I was fascinated not only by how technology works, but also by the process behind creating it. That curiosity eventually led me to pursue a degree in Software Engineering Technology at Politeknik Negeri Batam.

Before entering college, I studied Computer and Network Engineering (TKJ) in vocational high school. Although the program was not focused on software development, it provided me with foundational knowledge about computer hardware, networking, and general software systems. At that time, I had not yet learned programming seriously, but my interest in technology continued to grow.

Discovering Programming

Everything changed during the first semester when I was introduced to web programming. One of my earliest projects was a simple portfolio website built entirely with HTML — without CSS or JavaScript. Technically, it was very basic, but for me it was an important milestone.

It was the first time I experienced the excitement of building something through code. Even with only HTML, I became deeply interested in how structure, logic, and interaction worked behind the scenes.

What attracted me most about programming was the way it trained logical thinking. Every line of code has a cause and effect. Small mistakes create different outputs, while correct structures produce expected behavior. That process of analyzing problems, understanding systems, and finding solutions made programming feel both challenging and rewarding.

Developing Soft Skills Through Leadership

Another major turning point during college was becoming a class representative. During junior high and vocational school, I was generally quiet and focused only on academics and daily life. I rarely participated in extracurricular activities, partly because much of my school period was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entering university, I realized that technical ability alone was not enough. I needed to improve my communication, coordination, and leadership skills.

When I was nominated as class leader, I accepted the responsibility as a way to challenge myself and grow outside my comfort zone. The experience taught me how to communicate with lecturers, coordinate classmates, and handle responsibilities in a more professional environment. It became one of the most valuable soft-skill learning experiences during my first year.

Academic Challenges and Growth

Academically, university life certainly brought pressure and challenges. However, I tried to approach those situations calmly and consistently. Instead of focusing too much on stress, I preferred to focus on adapting, learning, and improving little by little.

The project-based learning environment also helped me understand how teamwork works in software development. Working on collaborative projects required not only technical understanding, but also communication, responsibility, and adaptability.

Exploring the Full-Stack Path

Currently, because of the collaborative nature of Project-Based Learning (PBL), I am developing myself as a full-stack learner. I may not specialize deeply in one area yet, but I aim to understand the fundamentals of multiple roles within software development — from frontend to backend and system integration.

For me, having broad foundational knowledge is important before choosing a deeper specialization in the future.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, my goal is to focus on a specialization that will remain highly relevant and impactful in the long term. Technology evolves rapidly, and I want to continue learning, adapting, and building skills that can create meaningful solutions beyond the classroom.

Background on the about page, technical competencies on the skill page, work documentation on the project page, and all posts on the blog page. Back to the home page.