confusing, since they are not commonly used in previous level of education. After PKKMB, new students will soon start their study in odd semester. To be more prepared being a college student, these few terms seem to be known to keep updated:
- Study Plan Card (Kartu Rencana Studi, KRS)
KRS is the lists of course subjects taken by students to fulfil their study program for the next semester. New students may not be familiar with KRS, since it was usually set at the beginning of semester.
KRS filling is done online after doing the registration process. You also need to consult to the academic supervisor teacher about your study plan. You need to make sure to keep updated with the schedule of KRS filling on academic calendar in order not to miss it.
- Semester Credit (Satuan Kredit Semester, SKS)
SKS is a plan for course credit that will be taken. Usually, students are required to take 144 credits (Bachelor Degree) until the final semester. Each semester, students are only allowed to take maximum 24 credits. One course subject has different credit weight; 1 – 6 credits. If we make it simple, if the students have already taken 24 credits in the first semester, they only need to take 120 credits until they graduate.
However, there are few requirements needed to be fulfilled to take these credits in each semester. You taking the credits really depends how high your Grade-point Average (GPA) was in the previous semester. Your GPA in each semester will determine how many credits you can take in the next semester.
- Grade Point (Indeks Prestasi, IP) and Grade Point Average (Indeks Prestasi Kumulatif, IPK)
For your information, Grade point (Indeks prestasi) and Grade Point Average (Indeks prestasi kumulatif) are rather different. Grade point is the result of adding up the course score/grades you have completed during one semester of study, while Grade point average is the result of combining those scores/grades from the first semester to the final semester.
Grade Point shows the study success rate with highest point of 4,00. Students who obtain the GPA above 3,50 will get a cum laude. Score of GPA will be listed in the score transcript and few companies sometimes make it as one of the recruitment qualifications.
- Student Identification Card (Kartu Tanda Mahasiswa, KTM)
Basically, Student Identification Card is as similar to Student Card, used for identity proof. New Students are required to have this card to take care of matters related to academic activities. In Unpas, KTP can be used as payment tool and bank account, since the card itself is linked to Bank BJB as partner. Really simple, right?
- Student Identification Number (Nomor Pokok Mahasiswa, NPM)
Other than KTM, Student Identification Number also becomes your identity during your study. NPM is listed in the KTM and a proof that you are already registered as student of Unpas. NPM is used for login username to Unpas academic system website.
- Academic Supervisor Teacher (Dosen Pembimbing Akademik, Dosen PA)
Academic Supervisor Teacher or Homeroom Teacher is responsible to guide and directs the students if they want to consult about academic stuffs, such as courses that will be taken, next semester credit or study problems.
- Short-term Semester (Semester Pendek, SP) or In-between Semester
Short-term semester or often called in Unpas, in-between semester, is a study program held between odd and even semester in every academic year. The purpose of this semester varies much; it could be for improving grades or accelerate the study period. In-between semester in Unpas is intended to facilitate students who want to retake certain course subject to increase their score or grade point.
- Students’ Executive Board (Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa, BEM), Students’ Association (Himpunan Mahasiswa, Hima), Students’ Activity Unit (Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa, UKM)
At school, BEM is like OSIS; its place is on the level of faculty and university. BEM is an executive institution which represents students’ opinion and aspiration. Hima is almost similar to BEM; but it only takes place on the department or study program. UKS is not much different from extracurricular, its purpose is to improve and increase students’ interest and talent. Students can also join the UKM if they want to have their time fulfilled outside academic activity.
- Academic SITU
Academic SITU is a system made for making the academic administration much easier, such as KRS filling, inputting score/grade (for teachers), curriculum and course schedule, and so many more.
Those are few technical terms that need to be known and understood by new students. Just relax, further information and other academic activities will be also explained in detail on the program of PKKMB. (Reta)*