Many students feel directionless, trapped in a monotonous cycle of\nattending lectures and completing assignments without understanding the\nreal-world application of their studies. This often leads to the\n\u2018Kupu-Kupu\u2019 (Kuliah-Pulang) student mentality, not out of laziness, but\nconfusion. A prime example is the compulsory Pancasila Education course,\nwhich some dismiss as abstract theory on morality, justice, and\ndemocracy, memorised only for exams. Yet, the campus is a miniature\nstate where the social problems studied in Pancasila classes unfold\nright before our eyes. We cannot solve these problems by merely being\nspectators in a classroom. We need a vehicle to give our lives and\nidealism direction, and the best vehicle is the Student Association\n(Hima).<\/p>\n
Here are some real campus problems and how joining a Hima offers\nconcrete solutions that bring Pancasila coursework to life.<\/p>\n
Problem 1: Integrity Crisis and the Rise of Assignment Jockeys\n(Reflection of the 1st Principle)<\/p>\n
Campus Reality: Pancasila theory teaches values of divinity\nmanifested in honesty and morality. However, the reality is an unhealthy\nacademic environment besieged by mass cheating, plagiarism, and the\nnormalisation of using paid jockeys for assignments and theses, all for\nthe sake of grades on paper.<\/p>\n
Solution via Hima: In a Hima, your moral idealism is forced into\npractice. Managing an association means managing the financial trust of\nthe treasury, activity funds, and the confidence of department members.\nYou learn real accountability. The sense of moral responsibility to God\nand fellow members trains you to lead with honesty, teaching that an\nhonest process is far more honourable than a manipulated result.<\/p>\n
Problem 2: Individualism and a \u2018Dog-Eat-Dog\u2019 Culture (Reflection of\nthe 2nd & 3rd Principles)<\/p>\n
Campus Reality: Many students feel lonely or alienated on their own\ncampus. The competitive academic world can trigger selfish and\nindividualistic attitudes. Furthermore, issues like toxic seniority and\nsocial cliques make the campus environment feel unfriendly and\nfragmented.<\/p>\n
Solution via Hima: Hima is the antidote to individualism. Joining\nforces you out of your comfort zone to interact with students from\ndifferent cohorts and backgrounds. The principles of humanity and unity\nare practised concretely through conflict management. You learn to set\naside divisional egos for the success of a department-wide programme. In\nHima, you no longer walk alone; you find a family, build a professional\nnetwork, and learn to collaborate.<\/p>\n
Problem 3: \u2018Anti-Criticism\u2019 Mentality and Fear of Speaking Out\n(Reflection of the 4th Principle)<\/p>\n
Campus Reality: The fourth principle teaches democracy and\ndeliberation. Yet, in reality, we see students afraid to voice opinions\nin class. Conversely, a \u2018cancel culture\u2019 exists on campus social media,\nwhere those who criticise certain policies are attacked personally\nwithout room for healthy discussion.<\/p>\n
Solution via Hima: Hima is the safest simulation space for democracy.\nThrough work meetings, Grand Deliberations (Mubes), and Accountability\nReports (LPJ), you are taught the art of speaking and listening. Your\nlife gains direction as you are trained to think critically, deliver\ndata-based arguments, and, most importantly, graciously accept forum\ndecisions even when your personal opinion is rejected. This is an\nexpensive communication skill not taught practically in the\nclassroom.<\/p>\n
Problem 4: \u2018Free Rider\u2019 Syndrome and Lack of Social Impact\n(Reflection of the 5th Principle)<\/p>\n
Campus Reality: Who doesn\u2019t get frustrated with a group project\nmember who acts as a free rider, taking credit without doing the work?\nThis is the smallest form of social injustice on campus. Additionally,\nmany students study solely for personal gain, without caring whether\ntheir knowledge benefits the surrounding community.<\/p>\n
Solution via Hima: In Hima, you learn to apply social justice\nconcretely. Internally, you learn to distribute committee workloads\nfairly so no single member is overburdened. Externally, Hima work\nprogrammes such as community service, social charity, or free skills\ntraining for department members are tangible forms of channelling our\nknowledge. Hima directs your energy away from being a selfish student\nand towards becoming one who makes a real impact on your\nsurroundings.<\/p>\n
Connecting Theory and Action<\/p>\n
The Pancasila Education course in class is the map that shows the\ndirection, while the Student Association is the vehicle you use to\nexplore that map. Having a map without a vehicle only makes you stand\nstill while memorising routes. Conversely, having a vehicle without a\nmap will leave you lost without a clear destination. For those who feel\ntheir university life is monotonous, bland, and lacking challenge, try\nopening yourself up and joining a Student Association. It is there that\nthe theories of ethics, morality, and justice you hear in class will be\ntested and forged into character. Don\u2019t just be a campus spectator who\nenjoys complaining.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/from-classroom-theory-to-real-action-how-student-associations-give-direction-to-university-life-1782276793", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }