NEWS
Reflection on the First-Half of the Semester: MPBI Students Share Achievements, Challenges, and Hopes in Sharing Moment

Yogyakarta, April 14, 2025 - English Education Master Program of Sanata Dharma University (MPBI) recently held a "sharing moment" activity, providing a platform for students to reflect on their experiences during the first half of this semester (February - June 2025). Participants shared insights into their personal and academic achievements, the most challenging learning experiences they encountered, and their aspirations for improvements within themselves, their peers, and the program.
Acknowledging Achievements and Gratitude
Students expressed gratitude for a variety of accomplishments throughout the semester. Several highlighted academic successes such as publishing articles and reading different books, which they felt enhanced their creative writing abilities. The structure of the lectures was appreciated for its balance between lectures, individual assignments, and collaborative group work, which encouraged deeper analysis and interpretation of material. Individual tasks were seen as helpful for independent reflection, while group discussions provided broader perspectives through the exchange of ideas with peers. Participants noted significant academic and personal growth, including increased multitasking skills, experience, knowledge, patience, and the ability to stay motivated while studying and working simultaneously. Successfully completing all tasks, lectures, and attending classes well was also a point of gratitude.
A notable personal development mentioned by several students was becoming more brave and confident in expressing opinions and speaking or presenting in class. One student felt more determined after deciding to pursue a thesis by publication. Learning new applications of educational theory and gaining practical experience through activities like making a book project, engaging in community service, and creating literary and scientific works were also considered valuable achievements. Managing to balance study and part-time work successfully was highlighted as it helped improve time management skills. Additionally, some were grateful for improved mental preparedness, feeling calmer under stress and thinking more clearly when tackling numerous assignments, and consistently completing tasks on time. Enduring the semester journey together with peers was also a source of gratitude.
Navigating Challenges
The semester also presented its share of challenging experiences. Conducting field data collection was highlighted as difficult due to unexpected steps involved in the procedure. Working on major projects like textbook design and individual research tasks intended for publication demanded a strong understanding of theories, critical thinking skills, and diligent time management and discipline, pushing students outside their comfort zones. For those balancing responsibilities, managing time effectively between work and university tasks remained a persistent challenge.
Presenting and answering difficult questions in class was noted as a challenging learning experience. On a personal level, regulating emotions and becoming more mature in interactions with others was a challenge, as not everything desired was easily obtained, requiring significant effort. Creating a high-quality draft journal, with the potential for publication in SINTA, was perceived as demanding. Surprisingly, a literature class, initially anticipated to be boring, turned out to be engaging and challenging due to varied weekly activities. Making modules for the first time was challenging due to the numerous details requiring attention during the process. Writing research journals, even with prior experience, continued to be challenging, requiring continuous learning and deeper understanding. Other significant challenges included working on articles and book projects, presenting topics that were not yet fully mastered, and maintaining motivation amidst a dense workload.
Hopes for Improvement
Participants also offered suggestions for improvements. Regarding self, students expressed the desire to enhance reading skills, particularly for different books and understanding processes like creating books using the ADDIE model. Improving consistency in time management, especially for long-term tasks, was also a personal goal, as was being more understanding of peers' busy schedules.
For peers, the hope was for more active participation in group discussions and collaborative book projects, so that not just a few members carry the workload. Maintaining and enhancing the existing collaborative spirit, coordination, and an inclusive and supportive learning atmosphere were also desired.
Suggestions for lecturers and the MPBI program included receiving more detailed feedback on assignments to better understand the weaknesses and strengths of their writing. Students also hoped for more intensive consultation or academic guidance sessions to help develop their ideas, particularly for tasks oriented towards publication. Finally, a practical request was for classes to finish precisely on time, given the heavy overall workload.
The sharing moment provided a valuable opportunity for MPBI students to reflect on their academic progress, acknowledge both triumphs and difficulties, and contribute constructive feedback aimed at fostering personal development and program enhancement.
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