Campus life is exciting and certainly different from high school. While high school students follow a fixed schedule, such as starting at 7:00 AM and finishing at 1:00 PM, this is not always the case in college.

At the university level, class schedules are more flexible. Sometimes there are free hours in the middle of the day, or classes may only take place in the morning or afternoon. This means students have free time to engage in activities that support personal development outside of studying. These activities can be done on or off campus. Ideally, students should actively participate in self-development activities from their first to third year.

Why Should Students Join Self-Development Activities?

Graduates are expected to have well-rounded competencies, not only in academic knowledge related to their major but also in non-academic skills. In the professional world, two types of skills are required: hard skills and soft skills.

• Hard skills are technical abilities needed for specific professions, usually gained through formal education, such as lectures or training.

• Soft skills refer to personal traits and characteristics that influence how someone interacts with others in the workplace.

For example, an Architecture graduate needs hard skills like drawing and designing. However, they also need soft skills such as strong communication abilities to discuss design plans with clients.

Benefits of Joining Self-Development Activities

Here are some benefits students can gain by participating in extracurricular activities:

• Improve personal skills

• Build self-confidence

• Gain experience

• Expand social and professional networks

• Explore hobbies and interests

• Enhance adaptability in different situations

Types of Activities Students Can Join at BINUS University

1. Student Association (HMJ)

HMJ is a student organization under the guidance of the Student Affairs Unit at BINUS University. Members are students from the related study program. Currently, BINUS has 30 HMJ across various regions.
More info: Student Organizations BINUS

2. Student Activity Units (UKM)

UKM is a platform for students who share similar interests, hobbies, creativity, and activities. Currently, BINUS has 42 UKM divided into four major categories:

• Reasoning & Academic Units

• Arts & Media Information Units

• Religious & Community Units

• Sports & Martial Arts Units

More info: Student Organizations BINUS

3. Campus Event Committees

Students can join event committees organized by HMJ, UKM, or other campus centers. Benefits include improving teamwork and organizational skills.

4. Student Exchange

BINUS offers students the opportunity to join exchange programs abroad, such as short courses or study abroad programs. These activities build independence and broaden cultural perspectives.
More info: BINUS International Office

5. Internship

Internship programs provide real-world experience for students to apply their knowledge in the workplace. Currently, internships are part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka curriculum.

6. Volunteering

Voluntary work helps develop social awareness. BINUS has a program called Teach for Indonesia (TFI), where students can teach children around the campus area or participate in social activities like blood donation.

7. Competitions

Students can participate in competitions related to their major or other fields. Benefits include boosting confidence, enriching portfolios, and improving competitiveness.

8. Religious and Community Activities

Students can also join religious events or local community organizations, such as neighborhood youth groups (karang taruna).

How to Get Activity Information

Students can find activity details through:

• Social media (faculty or campus accounts)

• Batch groups (WhatsApp/LINE)

• Lecturers or departments

• Official BINUS website: Student BINUS

SAT Points and Community Service Hours

Activities students participate in can be claimed for:

• SAT (Student Activity Transcript) Points

• Community Service Hours, which are required for the final thesis defense:

  • Minimum 30 hours of Community Service

  • Minimum 120 SAT points

More info: How to check SAT Points and Community Service hours?

Note: Joining various activities beyond the classroom is highly recommended as long as students do not neglect their main responsibility: studying.