The journey toward achieving academic dreams often begins with simple moments. For Bonita Eka Dama Yanti, S.Ag., M.Psi., being named the top graduate of the Master’s Program in Psychology at Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta (UMBY) is more than just an academic achievement; it is the fruition of a hope nurtured over many years.

The story dates back to the period between 2017 and 2020. While traveling to Kebumen by motorcycle with her relative, Lilin, Bonita would frequently pass by the gate of UMBY’s Campus 1. Along the way, they would often point toward the campus buildings.

"Between 2017 and 2020, whenever I traveled to Kebumen with my relative, Lilin, and we passed the gate of UMBY’s Campus 1, we would point toward the campus and say, 'That’s where I’ll do my master’s degree one day.' We would say this while riding the motorcycle, laughing together—never truly knowing when or if that dream would ever come true," Bonita recalls.

Those words, spoken while riding a motorcycle, turned out to be a prayer that was answered. After four years of hard work and saving money—while also gathering the necessary courage—the dream finally became a reality. Today, both Bonita and her relative, Lilin, have officially become part of the UMBY community.

Bonita’s path toward a Master’s degree in Psychology presented its own unique challenges. Coming from an undergraduate background in Religious Studies (*Sarjana Agama*—S.Ag.)—specifically in *Dharmaduta* (Buddhist outreach and counseling)—she initially felt hesitant about transitioning into a new field of study.

However, her experience in providing community guidance and spiritual counseling only strengthened her inner drive to gain a deeper understanding of human psychological conditions. "The matriculation program at UMBY was instrumental in helping me grasp the fundamentals of Psychology before beginning my coursework. Coming from a different undergraduate background, the matriculation served as a vital starting point—allowing me to explore a new field of study while simultaneously adapting to the learning process," explains Bonita.

Supported by an adaptive curriculum and a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (IOP), she was able to adapt and surpass the limits of what she once thought possible.

Bonita’s success in graduating as the top student in the Master of Psychology program is deeply rooted in the learning ecosystem at UMBY. Intensive guidance from her thesis supervisor, Dr. Sri Muliati Abdullah, M.A.—a psychologist herself—provided a structured framework, ranging from refining her research focus and polishing her writing to navigating the data-coding process.

"The guidance I received from my supervisor was invaluable. She supported me every step of the way—from refining my thesis title and sharpening my research focus to ensuring that the study adhered to rigorous academic standards. Her direction, feedback, and evaluations helped me identify my shortcomings and steadily improve the quality of my research," she says.

Resources such as the 'Thesis Camp' program, open communication with faculty, flexible course scheduling, and an installment-based tuition payment scheme were essential in helping Bonita balance her dual roles as a young professional and a graduate student.

The knowledge she gained now provides tangible value to her role as an HR Officer at the Ananda Educational Foundation. Her understanding of human behavior enables her to manage human resources more thoughtfully and foster a positive, 'flourishing' work environment.

For Bonita, this achievement serves as a reminder that a different educational background is never a barrier to moving forward.

"Not all dreams arrive with certainty; some begin simply as a casual remark—spoken with a laugh—that is then quietly held onto as a hope," she reflects. "Achieving the status of top graduate is not the end of a journey, but rather a reminder that a dream—nurtured with sincerity, patience, perseverance, and the courage to keep moving forward—can indeed find its own path," concluded Bonita.