UNAIR NEWS – In the beginning of her master program at UNAIR, Sira Te’dang Patandean, S.Psi. had already dreamt to be the best graduate and to finish on time. Her dreams came true. Graduated with a GPA of 3,89, Sira is grateful to God for making it happened.

“I never saw it coming, the GPA, whereas the lecturers here are very ungenerous about giving scores. Moreover they are always strict when teaching. If there isn’t anything else to discuss about in the class, they will walk out,” Sira, born in Ujung Pandang, poured her heart out.

Focussing on the things you do, is what Sira holds as a principle. Since she was little, this young woman who used to be a counselor at Makassar’s house of correction has been taught to keep her focus on the things that she does. As long as the mind is on the right track, you will get anything by. By keeping her parents’ advice in mind, Sira always does everything by focussing on the things in hand.

“Besides keeping my focus, I also have one to rely on, and that one is God,” she said.

To be part of life in a house of correction for 7 years is the reason behind her decision to write a thesis entitled “The Effectivity of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Reduce Inmates’ Anxiety in Welcoming Their Freedom at Narcotics House of Correction Class II A Pamekasan”. To a Sira, anything can be done as long as there are these four things; first, consistency in doing it, second, prayers to God, third, hardwork, and the fourth is competitors.

“Stop complaining about fate, because God will always be there for His servants. What matters is always involve God in every step of the way,” Sira concluded. (*)

Author: Ainul Fitriyah
Editor: Nuri Hermawan