Major + Interest = Febri's High Intention to Become a Programmer

Studying in the Computer and Network Engineering (TKJ) department did not  daunt Febri. This vocational high school student actually felt that he had found a world that suited his interests. In a casual interview conducted on the evening of May 11, 2025, Febri shared stories about his school routine and his future aspirations.

His days start at dawn. He leaves at 6 am to take part in familiarization activities such as ceremonies, cleaning, and Yasinan (the recitation of the Yasin) that take place before lessons begin. The lessons themselves last until the afternoon, but Febri does them with enthusiasm.

His favorite subject is Basics of Computer Engineering. For Febri, this lesson helps him better understand the field he likes. Although there are still challenges—such as material that is difficult to understand when the teacher is not clear in explaining—he actually feels more challenged to learn more deeply.

According to him, the learning atmosphere in class is very dependent on the character of the teacher. When the teacher can create a pleasant atmosphere, the interaction becomes more lively. Conversely, if the teacher seems stiff, the class can feel confusing.

The main reason Febri chose the TKJ major was because his interest in computers had grown since a long time ago. Although TKJ does not fully discuss programming in depth, he believes this major still provides a strong foundation for pursuing his dream of becoming a programmer.

"Because in this major we are taught the basics of computers. So, I think this major makes the most sense for me to study at my school." he said briefly.

With high enthusiasm and curiosity, Febri proved that choosing a major according to your interests can make the learning process more enjoyable—even though it is full of challenges.

Smile, Silence, and the Answer is No Longer Yes

Tangerang, 5 Mei 2025 - Being a teacher is not just about teaching. It’s also about feeling, understanding, and sometimes, being confused. Today, I want to tell you about a student of mine who I used to be very proud of—let’s call her Naya.

Naya was one of my students who used to be very outstanding. From the beginning, she showed extraordinary enthusiasm in learning to read. While her friends were still struggling to spell two or three syllable words, Naya had already progressed smoothly to four syllable words. She was diligent, quickly grasped lessons, and what I liked the most: she was always enthusiastic when I assigned her to read at home. “Yes, Mom!” she said firmly every time I gave her reading homework.

But for some reason, since entering the five syllable stage, that enthusiasm has slowly faded.

Now, every time I ask her to read, her response is no longer enthusiastic. Sometimes she just grins. Sometimes she stays silent. Once, she even said frankly, “I don’t want to read, Mom. I’d rather play on my phone.” I was stunned. Not because I was angry—but more like… confused.

I know, kids can get bored. But I’m also worried. Next June, Naya will be entering elementary school. Meanwhile, it's already May, and she's not yet fully fluent in reading five syllables. Time is running out, and I feel like I'm chasing a train that's almost gone.

As a teacher, of course I wonder. What's wrong? What's changed? Is it because it's too difficult? Too boring? Or maybe there's an influence from the environment?

I want Naya to be like she used to be—diligent, enthusiastic, and loves reading. But I also realize that maybe it's time for me as a teacher to make some changes. Maybe, my teaching method needs to change. Maybe, a more fun approach needs to be tried. Maybe, I need to approach Naura more not only as a teacher, but also as her little friend.