even though ArcMap requires a license, several universities make it free for students to use ArcMap, for example IPB university. So, ArcMap is still the mainstay of students in working on their thesis projects.
One of the basic techniques in managing maps is clipping and dissolving. Because it is widely used for making study area maps. For example, we are conducting a study at the district level, because the data has the extent of a province, it is necessary to cut it down to the district level. or when dividing a region into sub-regions, it is also necessary to do clipping.
the short video attached shows how to do clipping and then dissolve. Dissolve is useful when you want to show the largest/global region.
Rahmadya Trias Handayanto 