Yogyakarta, September 16th 2026 — The Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM) hosted an orientation training session titled “Mind Management for Learners: Navigating Postgraduate Challenges” on Wednesday (16/09/2026). It was held at the 5th Floor Auditorium of SPs UGM, and attended by master’s and doctoral students from the Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year and the Odd Semester of the 2026/2027 Academic Year. The session featured Dr. Tech. Khabib Mustofa, S.Si., M.Kom., Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources of SPs UGM, as the keynote speaker to impart strategies on mental regulation and self-management amidst the rigorous demands of graduate education.
Dr. Tech. Khabib Mustofa, during his address, highlighted that postgraduate studies naturally encompass high volumes of academic reading, stringent assignment deadlines, thesis and dissertation writing, and elevated performance expectations. Beyond academic pressures, graduate students frequently navigate external factors such as family dynamics, social responsibilities, and self-doubt. Effective management of these demands, he said, will guide students with the mechanics of the human mind, distinguishing the conscious and subconscious mind. Khabib emphasized that all external events are fundamentally neutral; it is the mind that assigns meaning to them, which subsequently shapes emotional responses and determines resulting actions.
Furthermore, Khabib underscored the necessity of recognizing one’s personal sphere of control (circle of control). He noted that psychological distress often arises from assigning overly negative meanings or making excessive generalizations about challenging situations. “Manage your thoughts therefore you will not overgeneralize, which will create unnecessary burdens. There are many external factors at play, ultimate control resides within yourself,” Khabib stated. He further explained that the subconscious mind should be viewed as an internal tool rather than a defining self-identity. By developing this perspective, students can observe arising thoughts with heightened mindfulness before determining how to react.
Addressing learning paradigms, the lecture also explored the distinction of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Incoming students were encouraged to cultivate a growth mindset, viewing academic hurdles as opportunities for intellectual and personal evolution. Concluding his presentation, Khabib synthesized mind management into four interconnected elements: focus, meaning, emotion, and action. What an individual chooses to focus on dictates the meaning assigned to an event, directly influencing the emotions generated and guiding subsequent behavioral choices.
This mind management session showed SPs UGM commitment to nurture student mental health and holistic well-being. Equipping graduate students with robust psychological regulation tools, ensuring their healthy equilibrium on academic excellence and mental wellness throughout their scholarly journey at Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Tags: UGM Graduate School, Student Orientation, Mind Management, Mental Health, Mental Well-being, Growth Mindset, Dr. Tech. Khabib Mustofa, Academic Resilience, Circle of Control, SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 Quality Education.
Author: M. Naufal Majid
Editor: Berlian B.