30 April 2026
Nurul Juliani, S.Si
Medan, April 30, 2026 — The journey of Patrick Nicxon Hutabarat, a student in the Public Sector Accounting Study Program at the Faculty of Vocational Education, Universitas Sumatera Utara, in the Outstanding Student Selection (Pilmapres) competition continues to provide valuable and educational experiences. After being selected as the Universitas Sumatera Utara's diploma-level delegate, Patrick participated in the regional-level Outstanding Student Selection selection, which took place over three days at Prima Indonesia University.
At the regional stage, Patrick presented the same innovation as in the previous selection round. However, his preparation this time focused more on improving the quality of his presentation—from articulation and intonation to the way he conveyed his ideas—to make them easier for the judging panel to understand.
During this preparation process, Patrick had the valuable opportunity to be directly mentored by some of the Universitas Sumatera Utara’s top faculty members: Prof. drg. Sondang Pintauli, Dr. Lukman Adlin Harahap, and Fuzy Yustika Manik. They provided guidance ranging from refining the innovation concept, strengthening presentation techniques, practicing answering questions, to evaluating the poster design used during the competition.
“It felt very heartwarming and was one of the most memorable moments during this Pilmapres journey. Honestly, that moment felt even more joyful than winning the championship,” said Patrick.
According to him, the professors provided guidance in a professional yet relaxed manner, making the learning process comfortable and stress-free. That experience remains one of his most cherished memories from participating in Pilmapres.
Through this mentoring process, Patrick learned that competition is not just about the final result, but also about the willingness to keep growing and accepting feedback. He also understood the importance of conveying ideas simply, clearly, and in an easy-to-understand manner.
“The feedback that left the deepest impression on me was to stay true to myself and not overthink things. They reminded me that self-confidence is far more important than trying to be someone else when presenting in front of the judges,” he added.
The experience with these distinguished professors also changed Patrick’s perspective on the academic world and competitions. He admitted to being increasingly impressed by the role of academics who are not only outstanding in their fields but also capable of guiding and making a positive impact on students.
The regional-level selection process itself lasted three days, with different stages each day. On the first day, Patrick participated in an interview session focusing on his outstanding achievements. The second day continued with a presentation of an innovative product and a Q&A session with the judging panel. On the final day, participants gave an English presentation on the topic “The 1% Battery Paradox: Why Cognitive Readiness is the True Foundation of Quality Education.”.
Patrick admitted he felt nervous at times, especially during the innovative product presentation because he had forgotten some parts of the material. However, he tried to stay calm so that he could successfully complete all the stages.
In addition to facing the challenges of the competition, Patrick also gained new experiences by meeting students from various universities. Over the three-day event, participants exchanged stories, experiences, and even shared insights into their respective campus cultures.
“Even though we were only together for three days, the sense of camaraderie that developed felt very close—like family,” he said.
This Pilmapres journey has also gradually boosted Patrick’s self-confidence. Whereas before he always felt that other participants were better than him and approached the competition with a “nothing to lose” mindset, he now realizes that he, too, possesses the skills and potential worth fighting for.
“I’ve learned that fear and doubt will always be there, but they shouldn’t stop us from trying and growing,” he said.
At the end of the interview, Patrick also shared a message with other students, encouraging them not to be afraid to seize the opportunities available.
“Don’t overthink things and don’t be afraid to try. We never know the full extent of our abilities until we actually try. It’s okay to fail, because failure isn’t the end of the world—it’s part of the journey toward becoming the best version of ourselves,” he concluded.
Patrick’s journey in the Pilmapres competition demonstrates that the competition is not just about winning, but also about the process of growth, the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone, and the opportunity to continue learning and developing. In the regional selection round, Patrick won First Runner-Up and advanced to the national round. This experience also shows that vocational students are capable of competing, adapting, and making a positive impact through a consistent commitment to learning.
The Public Sector Accounting Study Program extends its appreciation and full support for Patrick’s journey in the Pilmapres competition. Through the experiences and processes he has undergone, the program hopes that Patrick can maintain his focus, boost his self-confidence, and deliver his best performance in the upcoming national selection round. It is also hoped that Patrick’s spirit and perseverance will serve as motivation for other students to continue developing and to have the courage to strive for achievement.
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