Michel Purnama or Michel, is a Communication Studies student at Padjadjaran University, class of 2021. His name is well-known among aspiring students aiming for public universities (PTN) due to his frequent sharing of educational content about university admissions, thesis writing, and national insights on his social media platforms.
Born on March 9, 2002, in Kepahiang, Bengkulu Province, and raised in Pekanbaru, Riau, Michel has carved out numerous achievements in both academic and non-academic fields. During his senior year in vocational high school, he hadn’t considered pursuing higher education, as vocational students are typically prepared to enter the workforce directly. However, at the beginning of 2020, when the National Exams were officially abolished and the Covid-19 pandemic began impacting Indonesia, Michel realized that his current skills were insufficient to compete in the job market. Thus, he decided to continue his education at a university.
When this realization hit, the SNMPTN (now called SNBP) registration had already passed, and there was little time left to prepare for SBMPTN (now SNBT). Faced with these limitations, he chose to take a gap year to study and develop his interests and talents in public speaking.
During his gap year, Michel made excellent use of his time, delving into various aspects of higher education, from academic materials and campus information to tips and tricks for getting accepted into his dream university. He did all this independently, driven by the belief that “nowadays, we can learn from anywhere and anytime, depending on our willingness.” Eventually, he succeeded in getting accepted into his second choice in the 2021 UTBK, the Communication Studies program at Padjadjaran University.
Being a student at a prestigious university did not make Michel feel inferior or intimidated by his peers. Instead, it motivated him even more to excel and become a role model for the younger generation. This determination was proven when he won 1st place nationally in the 2021 University Sales Championship, just three months into his freshman year.
Additionally, Michel has successfully become a young influencer at the age of 21. The owner of the Instagram account @michelpurnamaa frequently shares educational content about university admissions. With over 100,000 followers, he strives to enlighten the younger generation, offering learning opportunities and chances to enter their dream PTNs, especially for those struggling with economic challenges.
Despite his busy schedule with academic activities and social media, Michel maintains a balance between the two. He often shares tips on time management and motivation with his followers through Instagram Stories.
Michel revealed that he is inspired by the people around him to become who he is today. He hopes to inspire others to keep fighting and achieving their dreams. Michel is also appreciated within the Unpad community, having won “The Content Creator” at the 2023 Ilkom Awards and being invited to various university events, such as the end-of-year meeting in 2023.
“Everyone has limitless potential. The most important thing is that we must always strive to be better every day and never give up on our dreams,” he said. (Ed)