Dream Campus

"Alya, have you decided which university you want to go to after graduating from this boarding school?" asked my teacher. I answered lazily, "Not yet, Ma'am..."

"What major do you want?" she asked again.

"Mom said I should go for nursing, Ma'am," I replied.

Then, my teacher suggested I search for the best nursing programs in Indonesia when we studied in the computer lab.

The next day, I went to the computer lab and started googling the best nursing programs in Indonesia.

"Hmm, number one is Gadjah Mada University, number two is the University of Indonesia, and number three is Brawijaya University. Brawijaya seems like the safest option, especially since they accept the most students through SBMPTN. If I go for the first or second, it feels impossible, especially since I haven’t prepared at all because of my busy schedule here at the boarding school," I thought to myself. So, I finally decided on Brawijaya University as my goal.

Time flew by, and the exams were getting closer. I was stressed out because I hadn’t prepared at all due to my responsibilities as the student council president for the girls. But then I remembered something my teacher once said: tahajjud prayer and breaking fast are powerful times to pray.

“Maybe I should try this ‘sky route’ prayer? Bismillah, hopefully, it works,” I mumbled. So, I started praying with all my heart, even though I was still nervous because I hadn’t studied properly.

One day in the computer lab, my teacher asked us to find example questions and answers online. There were so many questions, but little by little, I started memorizing them. Time passed quickly, and the class ended. Back to my routine: cooking for the students, helping with memorization recitals, cleaning the kitchen, reciting to the head teacher, and finally returning to the dorm.

The days went by, and the exam day arrived. I had to take the test at a public university in my city. I was super nervous, but I kept telling myself, “You got this, inshaAllah.”

When I arrived, I met other participants and got to know them a little. Suddenly, it was time to enter the exam room. The room was cold because of the AC, and the computers were spaced apart. We were asked to place our exam requirements on the desk. Everyone looked super focused, and so was I.

Before starting, I prayed that my hands and heart would be guided to choose the right answers. I began with bismillah, recited sholawat, said a little prayer, and ended with more sholawat. Even though there were questions I didn’t understand, I went with my gut feeling. Then came the biology section—guess what? The exact questions I had studied in the computer lab showed up! Thanks to my memorization, I was able to answer them confidently.

Time was up, and I went home. I booked a ride through an online app. It didn’t take long for the driver to message me, saying he had arrived. I quickly found him and hopped on the motorbike.

On the way, the driver started chatting with me about the exam, my major, and the university I wanted to go to. He even shared how his kid was also studying in a boarding school, just like me. I answered his questions and listened to his story. Before I knew it, we had arrived at my house.

When it was time to pay, I gave him $50 (yes, I know, extra generous). He was hesitant to take it because it was too much, but I insisted. Before leaving, he thanked me and prayed that I’d get accepted into my dream university. His words were super comforting.

After the exam, I returned to the boarding school and got back to my usual grind—aiming to finish my memorization targets before graduation. Then, the long-awaited announcement day arrived.

I was too scared to check the results myself, so I asked my junior to open it for me. Suddenly, they screamed in excitement, “Sis! You got into Brawijaya University!”

I was speechless, then immediately thanked God. It felt like a miracle. I thought about all the prayers I had said, and maybe even the driver’s prayers helped too.

With excitement, I called my mom to tell her the news.

“Assalamu’alaikum, Mom! I got into Brawijaya University!” I said.

“Wa’alaikumussalam, dear. Astaghfirullah...” she replied.

“Uh... Why are you saying astaghfirullah, Mom?” I asked, confused.

“It’s so far, honey. But it’s okay. Maybe this is your destiny,” she said.

I nodded to myself, feeling grateful. After chatting with Mom, I went back to my activities at the boarding school, feeling blessed that my dream had come true.