Why My Below-Average 3.13 GPA at ITB Became My Favorite Failure

And What It Taught Me About Winning Elsewhere

Final Universtiy Transcript (Indeks Prestasi: GPA, Personal Photo)

I graduated from ITB with a 3.13 GPA — 0.28 below my seniors’ average of 3.41 (based on ITB’s 2023 Tracer Study). While I don’t have my class’s exact data, this put me firmly in ‘below average’ territory by comparison.

At first realizing my below average GPA trajectory during mid way of university, it sucks. But here’s what hurt worse: realizing I’d sacrificed sleep, relationships, and curiosity chasing marginal GPA gains when that effort could’ve been transformative elsewhere.

Here’s what I’d tell my younger self on GPA (TL;DR):
GPA is a gatekeeper for certain paths (like management trainee programs, scholarships or Oxbridge’s 3.7+ requirement), but it’s not the only measure of competency.

Plan wisely, but don’t let it (GPA) dictate your self-worth.

The Real Work Begins After Grades
Not letting GPA dictate my self-worth was a journey, especially watching peers graduate with flying colors. What helped? Focusing on work — not just formal employment, but contributing value as a human. As a Muslim, we are taught that serving others is its own reward. For me, that meant exploring competitions, organizing events, and volunteering.

One pivotal moment after realizing I will graduate with a below than average GPA? Joining ShARE ITB (now Do Well Do Good), where I redirected my 20% academic grind into real-world problem-solving, consulting skills, and projects (Big thank you to Samput for the opportunity.). This led to internships — like strategy consulting — despite my sub-3.5 GPA. Even getting a Ganesha Award from ITB!

Getting Ganesha Karsa Award

Practical Advice for Every Stage (If you’re GPA is below average)

• Starting university? Set a GPA target, but don’t sacrifice curiosity for it.
• Mid-degree? Audit your priorities — are your learning, GPA, and activities aligned with your goals after graduation?
• Graduated? Ask: How can I provide value even with a sub-par GPA?

Final Thought:
My 3.13 GPA became one of my favorite failures — not because I’m proud of the number, but because of what it taught me:

1. Losing the GPA game pushed me to win elsewhere and worked harder: problem-solving, relationships, and a mindset geared toward value, not validation.
2. Failure is tuition for lessons no class could teach: self-worth beyond metrics, the power of strategic effort, and the freedom of valuing growth over grades.
3. Success isn’t about winning every battle — it’s about choosing the right ones.

P.S. That “failure” was the pivot point I needed. Where have failures redirected you? For me, ShARE ITB unlocked doors beyond my GPA. Share your story below — let’s trade notes on winning beyond the transcript!

Sample Project during my time in ShARE ITB https://www.linkedin.com/posts/share-itb_green-energy-supply-plan-of-indonesia-activity-6775766779533905920-qHxm/

A Note on Privilege
I share this with one caveat: my GPA struggle was never existential. For some, grades are tied to survival — scholarships, family expectations, or even the ability to continue studying. I had the privilege to treat my 3.13 as a lesson, not a lifeline.

That perspective humbles me. It also clarifies why I don’t dismiss GPA’s importance outright — for many, it’s not just a metric, but a matter of stability. My intent isn’t to dismiss academic effort, but to explore what we do when the system doesn’t reward us.

If your GPA is non-negotiable for your circumstances: I see you and may Allah help you. This isn’t about rejecting the game, but about refusing to let it define you beyond the doors it opens (or closes).