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Whats graduation like ??

Well what do you do ?

I know you get your gowns in the morning, then attend your ceremony and after take pictures. But is that it ? Do you hang out much with your friends I mean you have your family there to you cant really leave them.

Is it overated ? I think it is I dont understand why people hype so much about it, it used to be something special before when university was seen as something only for certain people but now everyone goes uni. I just want it over and done with.

So whats graduation like ?
Reply 1
Personally not sure, but I know that it can depend on the university, my brother went to both Oxford and Cambridge and I know that he had a formal dinner at his graduation at one or both of them, but my other sister graduated in November and she didn't have a formal dinner.

e: So I think the higher up universities have a formal dinner and not others.
Original post by redleader1
Well what do you do ?

I know you get your gowns in the morning, then attend your ceremony and after take pictures. But is that it ? Do you hang out much with your friends I mean you have your family there to you cant really leave them.

Is it overated ? I think it is I dont understand why people hype so much about it, it used to be something special before when university was seen as something only for certain people but now everyone goes uni. I just want it over and done with.

So whats graduation like ?


I loved it. You can chill with your friends before and after, your parents can do their own thing or chat to your friends parents, you can sit out and have a picnic, just enjoy the day and the pride of graduating!
Mine was extremely dull. It's more a day for your parents.
It is more a "thank you" for your parents than a day for you.

The ceremonies vary between universities but there are basically welcome speeches, then endless students trudging up to a round of applause, yet more students, then more speeches, maybe a VIP gets an hoary degree, then it ends. Honary degrees can be interesting or really dull , depending on the recipient.

Afterwards, some socialising takes place, depends on the university. Some campus unis have marquees and a sort of garden party whereas some just rent a theatre in the city centre.

Check on the gown hire as some need to go back quickly ( ie are used in the afternoon for another student

There are loads of stands trying to get money off you. Some of the photo packages are really expensive. Just let your parents spend if they want but reign them back a bit if you think it's too much. Bear in mind they've done 3 years of support and this is the big last thing so they want to enjoy it.
Reply 5
Original post by domonict
It is more a "thank you" for your parents than a day for you.

The ceremonies vary between universities but there are basically welcome speeches, then endless students trudging up to a round of applause, yet more students, then more speeches, maybe a VIP gets an hoary degree, then it ends. Honary degrees can be interesting or really dull , depending on the recipient.

Afterwards, some socialising takes place, depends on the university. Some campus unis have marquees and a sort of garden party whereas some just rent a theatre in the city centre.

Check on the gown hire as some need to go back quickly ( ie are used in the afternoon for another student

There are loads of stands trying to get money off you. Some of the photo packages are really expensive. Just let your parents spend if they want but reign them back a bit if you think it's too much. Bear in mind they've done 3 years of support and this is the big last thing so they want to enjoy it.


How do you mean 3 years of support ?? Its mainly the student loans that help the majority of students.
Really?

So there's bed to go back to? Financial support and food packages seem to magically appear in many student's life and certainly not from the student finance people.

Washing done for "adults" who appeR during the vacation etc?
Reply 7
Original post by redleader1
How do you mean 3 years of support ?? Its mainly the student loans that help the majority of students.


People tried to shame me into going to my graduation saying that I "owed" it to my mother (who wasn't fussed about going anyway)even though I was in my late 20s and received no financial help from her.

To answer OP: I didn't go to mine but people I know who went to theirs said it involved a lot of waiting around and picture taking afterwards.



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Reply 8
Original post by gemmam
People tried to shame me into going to my graduation saying that I "owed" it to my mother (who wasn't fussed about going anyway)even though I was in my late 20s and received no financial help from her.

To answer OP: I didn't go to mine but people I know who went to theirs said it involved a lot of waiting around and picture taking afterwards.



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It just seems a big hype tbh. Im not really exicted about it just want it to be over and done with as its like the official uni is over, its the last thing we have to do for uni.
Reply 9
Original post by redleader1
It just seems a big hype tbh. Im not really exicted about it just want it to be over and done with as its like the official uni is over, its the last thing we have to do for uni.


I was never bothered about going and my brother didn't go to his either; we both imagined it would be really cheesy and dull. I just had a few drinks with my mother and sister the night of results day and then meal the following weekend with my boyfriend to celebrate instead.


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Original post by redleader1
Well what do you do ?

I know you get your gowns in the morning, then attend your ceremony and after take pictures. But is that it ? Do you hang out much with your friends I mean you have your family there to you cant really leave them.

Is it overated ? I think it is I dont understand why people hype so much about it, it used to be something special before when university was seen as something only for certain people but now everyone goes uni. I just want it over and done with.

So whats graduation like ?


Essentially as you described. I found most people stuck to their parents rather than mingling with course-mates. That said I'm glad I went because it felt more final than just end of exams.
I really enjoyed mine. It rounded off 4 great years and the sense of achievement at the end of it was lovely. It was a chance to see all your friends together one last time, congratulate them on their results, meet your friends parents and say a thank you and goodbye to those members of staff who went the extra mile to help you or inspired you during the degree. I liked being a part of the tradition and heritage of the university, from sitting and taking in the Great Hall (without being in an exam!) to listening to the music at the start and the precession of academic staff walking in onto the stage.

The day starts with queueing for tickets and collecting the cap and gown and having the official photography done. Then informal photos on campus with friends and family, before family and guests enter the hall first, followed by graduands.

The vice-chancellor and a few other senior members of staff speak before the dean of your particular school awards the degrees and the graduands go on stage to shake hands and collect their transcripts etc. Midway through, somebody is awarded with an honorary degree and does a speech. This is then followed by further degree awards. A speech is then made by one of the senior staff, followed by the national anthem and the precession of graduates leaving the hall.

A whole school photograph is then taken, which is some job for the photographer to organise 200+ students and fend off all the parents getting in the way trying to get their snaps too!

My university had a marquee outside the hall with champagne and canapes. There was another marquee selling food and drink too. Staff, graduates and parents could socialise which rounded off a great day.

It is fortunate that my university has a beautiful campus and it was a perfectly sunny day. I suppose the experience would be somewhat different if the graduation ceremony was held in a rented venue away from the university campus without the grandeur and heritage of the university and if the weather was dull too!
It's all hyped up. You go get your degree, fake a smile for some photos for your family, then come back to continue your miserable ****ing life
Reply 13
Original post by cake_lover
It's all hyped up. You go get your degree, fake a smile for some photos for your family, then come back to continue your miserable ****ing life


Apparently a lot of the time you don't even receive your degree at the graduation but just get a dummy instead and the actual certificate gets sent to you in the post. This was the case with those who were on my degree and my boyfriend (who was at a different uni).

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(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by domonict
Really?

So there's bed to go back to? Financial support and food packages seem to magically appear in many student's life and certainly not from the student finance people.

Washing done for "adults" who appeR during the vacation etc?


I am close to graduating and have studied entirely independently didn't have a 'bed' to go back to etc I find your comment a bit distasteful and and excluding of extenuating groups.

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