ATAMBUA — Entering higher education does not always mean sitting in a classroom and attending lectures in person. For Universitas Terbuka (UT) students, the learning process requires different habits. Students must create their own schedules, manage their time, and study course materials independently.
This shift in learning patterns was an important part of the Distance Learning Success Support Services (LPKBJJ) for the 2026 Odd Semester, held by UT Kupang for students at the Universitas Terbuka Service Center (SALUT) Atambua.
The activity was held at the Timor Hotel Hall in Atambua on Saturday (August 15, 2026), and was attended by more than 100 new students. They were introduced to UT’s learning system as well as various strategies for adapting to a culture of independent learning.
Lecturer of the Business Administration Study Program at UT Kupang, Yudith Alexanderina Frans, S.Sos., M.A., said LPKBJJ is a regular activity held every semester, particularly for new students.
“This activity is held every year for new students to support their success in distance learning,” said Yudith Alexanderina Frans.
According to Yudith, students need to understand that UT’s learning system has different characteristics from universities that implement conventional face-to-face lectures.
Students need to change their learning habits from a face-to-face pattern to an independent and distance learning system. Therefore, the ability to manage time, establish study schedules, and understand the learning mechanisms are essential preparations that need to be made from the beginning.
“The goal is to introduce how they can study at UT, how they can adopt a distance learning system, from a face-to-face learning culture to independent and distance learning, and how they can adapt to the new system and learning culture,” she explained.
The orientation did not only introduce UT’s academic environment. Students also received several learning techniques, including effective reading strategies and ways to create study schedules so that they could complete the academic process throughout the semester on time.
In addition, students were introduced to the examination process, including the types of examinations they would encounter during their studies at UT.
“It also includes techniques for students, such as how to read effectively, how to design a good study schedule so that they can complete the semester on time, and how they should prepare for their examinations and what forms the examinations will take,” said Yudith.
Yudith emphasized that LPKBJJ also serves as part of UT’s comprehensive introduction to new students.
“So it is truly a complete introduction to the UT environment for students,” she said.
Overall, the number of new students at UT Kupang reached approximately 1,529. Meanwhile, more than 100 new students participated in LPKBJJ through SALUT Atambua.
UT implements two LPKBJJ formats, namely one-day and two-day programs. For students at SALUT Atambua, the activity was conducted as a one-day program focusing on the basic understanding needed before beginning independent learning.
Yudith hoped that the orientation would help students understand UT’s learning system, adapt to distance learning, and complete their studies on time.
“The hope for students is that they can understand the learning system at UT so that they can survive at UT and complete their studies on time,” she concluded.
The orientation is in line with SDG 4 on Quality Education, particularly through efforts to help students adapt to learning systems and acquire the study skills needed to pursue higher education independently.
For new UT students in Atambua, the orientation serves as an initial step toward understanding that distance learning does not mean learning alone without direction. Instead, independence, time-management skills, and effective learning strategies are essential tools to ensure that the flexibility offered by UT truly helps them reach graduation.
