By: Daffa Tsabat (Meteorology, 2023)
Editor: Daffa Tsabat (Meteorology, 2023)
BANDUNG, meteo.itb.ac.id – Consistency in innovation and discipline in time management proved to be the keys to success for Fikri Dwi Novianto, a 2024-intake student of the ITB Meteorology Study Program, who managed to claim three national championship titles in just three consecutive days on Thursday (28/08/2025), Friday (29/08/2025), and Saturday (30/08/2025).
Within that span of time, Fikri led three different teams and secured:
1st Place in the National Essay Competition at Universitas Tidar (UNTIDAR) Magelang,
2nd Runner-Up in the FORMADIKSI Essay Competition at Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), and
2nd Place in the Paper & Poster Competition “Geology Total Action” (Team Bara Bumi) organized by HMPG Pangea UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta
Consistency as the Foundation of Achievement
Since his time in high school, Fikri had been actively participating in various science competitions. At the university level, he continued to maintain his consistency by taking part in numerous essay and scientific paper competitions, while simultaneously sharpening his critical thinking and presentation skills. For him, achievement is not the result of a single opportunity, but of a long and repeated process.
“I believe every competition is training for the next one. It’s not about winning or losing, but about how to keep improving,” he said.
Fikri explained that his interest in joining various competitions stemmed from a drive to transform something that seemed useless into something of value. One idea born from this motivation is Ecoforge-X, a tool designed to detect and sort types of plastic waste such as HDPE and PPO. This concept exemplifies how Fikri views competitions not merely as a platform for rivalry, but also as a space to channel ideas that have an impact on the environment.
Maintaining Rhythm Amid a Packed Schedule
Competing in three finals in three different cities within a short period of time posed a significant challenge for Fikri. Moving from one city to another required physical readiness, mental preparedness, and well-planned time management. Nevertheless, with a high level of discipline, he successfully completed the entire series of activities with outstanding results.
To maintain balance, he applied a consistent priority distribution: 50% for academics, 25% for competitions, and 25% for organizational activities and personal matters. This principle helped him manage his time in a measured way while staying focused on his academic targets.
Preparation and Evaluation as the Keys
Fikri emphasized that every competition requires thorough preparation. He always reviews the substance of his ideas, the manner of delivery, and the visual aspects of his presentation. He also employs a hook, or compelling opening, to capture the attention of the judges, and includes workflow analysis and visualizations to make his ideas easy to understand. Furthermore, he always conducts an evaluation after every competition.
“Every defeat becomes material for learning. I always review what fell short, then improve on it at the next opportunity,” he said.
Fikri acknowledges that consistency is no easy feat. The greatest challenge arises precisely when ideas begin to run dry or motivation starts to wane. However, his enthusiasm for continuous growth has enabled him to persevere.
“The key is intention and the courage to begin. Once you’ve taken the first step, the rest is just commitment,” he said.
The story of Fikri Dwi Novianto stands as a concrete example that consistency, innovation, and discipline can produce sustained achievement. Through his spirit of continuous growth and willingness to keep learning, Fikri demonstrates that ITB Meteorology students are capable of excelling without neglecting their academic responsibilities