As a graduate of the Faculty of Law at Jenderal Soedirman University, I have mixed feelings about my academic journey there.
What stood out most was the student life. Located in Purwokerto, the cost of living was significantly cheaper than in my hometown, Jakarta. The city offers a unique balance between urban life and nature, with hills, waterfalls, and lush greenery still very much a part of its environment. It created a pleasant and relatively peaceful atmosphere for students.
Affordability is a key strength. For a 2019 law student like me, the tuition fee for the top-tier payment category was only IDR 3 million per semester, which is relatively low compared to other law faculties across Indonesia.
However, these benefits came at a cost, especially in infrastructure and academic quality. Classrooms still used old wooden chairs with attached desks, and only a few rooms had well-functioning air conditioning. This often led to uncomfortable and crowded learning environments, especially in large classes. The heat negatively impacted the learning experience.
Teaching quality was inconsistent. While some lecturers were professional, clear, and dedicated, others heavily relied on student presentations as the primary teaching method. In many cases, students were assigned to present topics that had not yet been taught, forcing us to study prematurely without proper guidance. This often resulted in shallow understanding and unproductive class sessions.
Campus administration also lacked professionalism. Bureaucratic processes could be slow or unclear, and students were sometimes left without proper assistance or direction when dealing with academic or administrative matters.
In conclusion, while Jenderal Soedirman University offers a budget-friendly education with a vibrant student life, the institution still has much room for improvement, particularly in terms of learning infrastructure, lecturer performance consistency, and administrative service quality.





