Hooray!
It's your graduation and you're finally taking a step toward your plans for the future. Whether it's post graduate studies, a job at the company you love, or trips to places you've long been dreaming to visit, graduation marks the beginning of that new journey for you.
Of course you're excited! But...
Too much excitement also makes you forget things. And forgetting things on your graduation day can be a total disaster if you don't have a backup plan up your sleeve. You can't allow that to happen, can you?
Today, Gradshop provides you a checklist of the things you need to remember on your graduation day. Check them out and see if you've got them all covered.
1. Don't be late.
It's a rule of thumb for all kinds of event. May it be birthdays, weddings or parties, being early is a gesture of respect and appreciation to the host. This graduation, make sure you arrive at the venue ahead of time to catch the finishing instructions from your graduation marshal.
The ceremony will commence whether you're there or not, so better not ruin your big day and be early!
2. Don't forget to register.
Some, if not all, schools require students to register at a certain counter or booth before admission into the graduation hall. Ask your graduation marshal about your admission details and make sure you register yourself.
It may just be another one of those routine formalities but having your presence officially recorded for a special event such as a graduation is still worth the effort of showing up and being counted, as there can only so many opportunities to do so in your lifetime.
3. Graduation ceremonies could last for over an hour.
Depending on your school commencement traditions which might require pre-graduation rituals like group photographs, the average graduation ceremony lasts for over an hour. With this in mind, make sure to take care of all your basic necessities like getting hydrated and going to the restroom prior to the start of the program.
A graduation ceremony is a solemn event. Don't ruin the mood by going out now and then just to get or do something.
4. No alcohol and smoking on, before or after the graduation ceremony.
Booze and loud music can wait for later, but while in the campus prepping for your graduation processional, it's best to refrain from smoking, or much more, drinking alcohol.
Why? Well, people at the ceremony surely wouldn't like to smell smoke and alcohol around them, and neither would you when you go up to receive your diploma. Besides, you can always have some if not more of it during your after-party with your friends and family.
5. Be sure to wear your 'complete' academic regalia.
Forget your phone but never your academic regalia and the accessories that come with it. You might not have another shot in wearing them so make sure you wear them all right.
Do you have your:
- Cap & gown
- Graduation Stoles
- Cords
- Tassel
No? Secure them as early as now. Pick your choice among this wide selection here.
6. Adhere with your school's requirement on proper accessories and decorations.
While some schools allow its students to place brooch or corsage in their graduation gown, there are some like the Arkansas Tech University who doesn't allow any accessories to accompany the students' graduation cap & gown other than the school's honor cord.
Be sure to know what accessories your school allows you to have. Are pins okay? How about necklaces? Or braids?
7. Wear comfortable clothes under your graduation regalia.
Needless to say, wearing something comfortable under your graduation regalia is a must. Yes it's not the highlight of your attire, but unless you're comfortable wearing it, having your graduation gown on top might cause you discomfort.
Your Sunday's best may be your best pick. Also, for girls who plan to march up the stage on their three-inch heels (or four, five?), think twice. Unless you're used to wearing high-heeled shoes, flats or an inch high shoes is recommended.
Remember no. 3? I'm sure you wouldn't want to feel uncomfortable while the celebration is going on.
8. Turn off your cell phones or place it on a silent mode.
The last thing you would wish to happen on your graduation day is to draw all unwanted attention to your place just because your phone seemed to have wired itself to cut off all speech in favor of its loud ringing.
It's not just impolite. It's embarrassing. And though you'd want to have the most memorable experience on your graduation, that surely doesn't involve embarrassing yourself in front of everyone.
So don't risk getting caught in this kind of situation and turn your phone off or switch them to silent mode. Or better yet, leave it to a family member.
9. Don't forget to bring the tickets for your family and guests.
Unlike students who just need to register their names to get inside the graduation hall, parents and guests may need tickets that will serve as their passes on the venue.
Make sure to bring the tickets (if you have it) or remind them to bring it on your graduation day. Remember, unless they have it, they can't get in. So if you don't want them to miss your day, then remind them.
10. Follow the instructions of your graduation marshal.
Graduation marshals are faculty members who volunteer to assist the smooth flow of your graduation day. They are briefed on the entire program flow and knows exactly the details of the ceremony.
Marshals give you final reminders before the processional so better follow no. 1 if you don't want to miss anything.
11. Follow your seating arrangement.
Your seating arrangement is predetermined days before your graduation day and during your rehearsal, you'll get to see a clearer picture on how it will look like.
Following your seating arrangement is easy. Once you're all lined-up for the processional, remember who is standing in front and at your back. They will be the same persons who'll be sitting on your left and right during graduation.
12. Leave your valuables like purses, keys, or gifts to your family members or guests.
It's a very big no-no to bring things with you (aside from your phone on a silent mode) while you march to your position during graduation.
Just imagine how awkward you would look like as you enter the graduation hall with a purse on your left hand and a gift on the other. You'll not only ruin the sharp and smart look of your graduation regalia. You'll also appear clumsy and less confident - minus points to looking your best on graduation day.
13. Ask your family members or guests to refrain from yelling or shouting while the ceremony is going on.
In as much as everyone likes to express their congratulations on your success, it wouldn't be so pleasant if it ends up distracting the solemnity of the ceremony.
Ask your family members and guests to refrain from being loud while the event is going on. They can clap after all names of graduates are called. Of course they're also free to shout. Just make sure they do it after the event, outside the graduation hall.
Remember that you're not the only person inside. Practice consideration for others who might be treating the ceremony with utmost solemnity.
14. Use of horns, and other noise makers that can disrupt the ceremony is discouraged.
If shouts and yells are discouraged, so as horns and other noise makers. As I mentioned, graduation is a solemn event. Let's save the cheers for the later part of the program and focus on the awarding rites.
15. Ask in advance about parking spaces.
If you're bringing a car on graduation, which is most likely the case for the majority, it's best to ask about the details of the parking spaces days before the event. Not only will this save you some time looking for vacant spaces on the actual day but will also allow you to check on other alternatives should the available places be filled out already when you arrive on the event.
Ask your marshal or perhaps the people in charge of program and security. It's always best to know the basics.
So, get ready for your big day. Double check your list and make sure you don't forget anything.
Congratulations and enjoy your graduation!