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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Higher education

Can anyone convince me why I should attend graduation. 🎓

38 replies

Luv2chat2U · 05/07/2016 19:58

Hi all.

I'm a mature student who has recently completed my degree with a 1st....

I'm really not bothered by the whole graduation process....I'm not a fan of pictures cluttering the house, got enough! And would likely put it away in storage....can you please tell me any real reason why I should go, if it's really that big a deal etc..I'm quite happy just picking up my certificate ...

Thanks in advance

Thanks

OP posts:

Report

Savagebeauty · 05/07/2016 19:59

I never went to mine 35 years ago. Don't feel I missed out on anything

hugoagogo · 05/07/2016 20:01

Well done

I didn't go to mine either. Meh

Luv2chat2U · 05/07/2016 20:02

By the way my experience was awful....horrible ordeal, lectures, staff were all uselss. I'm happy to never ever return. How I got my grade I don't know, as I suffer with low confidence and anxiety and despite this being classed as a disability and me being registered, I received no help whatsoever....

OP posts:

VimFuego101 · 05/07/2016 20:02

I didn't go to mine, was worried I'd walk up on stage with my gown tucked in my knickers or trip over.

NoTractorsAtTheTable · 05/07/2016 20:03

Swishing about in your robes kind of feels like you're at Hogwarts.

Was the only reason I went, to be honest!

SolsburyHell · 05/07/2016 20:03

I went to mine, it wasn't anything special for me. My mum remembers it fondly and has a picture on the wall though...

Luv2chat2U · 05/07/2016 20:04

Oh great....good to know I'm not alone...I didn't want to feel like I was having to follow tradition.....thank you both....

OP posts:

CurlyhairedAssassin · 05/07/2016 20:04

I'm with you. I graduated 20 years ago and hated every long minute of it. So tedious. Was also really really hot, one of the hottest days of the year and I was sick of the bloody gown and cap within 5 mins of putting it on. I only agreed to attend because my mum and dad said they'd be disappointed if they didn't get to go and see me.

But then..... I didn't have a big formal wedding either (married abroad next to a beach with only our parents present) so I'm the wrong person to ask - I will only agree with about graduation day and you want reasons that you should attend!

EllaHen · 05/07/2016 20:04

I went to my first but refused to get a photo. My Mum has never forgiven me.

I didn't go to my post grad graduation as I was travelling Europe. Haven't given it a thought since. Well, until now.

PinkBuffalo · 05/07/2016 20:07

I never went to mine either. I had to retake one of my finals and wasn't allowed to the graduation ceremony. Was very upset, so when I was invited to the following years, with no one I knew because I actually graduated the previous year, I told them no way.
I don't feel like I missed out really. I still got the degree certificate.
Well done on your result!

Luv2chat2U · 05/07/2016 20:07

@ VimFuego lol...that is funny

Thank you, solsuburyhell and NoTractorAtTheTable for sharing your experiences....

OP posts:

BobbinThreadbare123 · 05/07/2016 20:12

I went to my undergraduate one; they cocked it up. I didn't bother with my postgraduate one. My mum is very sad about the lack of pictures of me in a stupid hat.

I don't even have any of my own UG graduation photos anyway!

Sorry, OP. That didn't really answer your question. Are you bothered about the photos? You know you got the degree, and they'll read you out anyway whether you're there or not.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 05/07/2016 20:13

I wouldn't bother, spend the money on going out and having a celebration with your family. I have been to two of mine because family wanted me to but didn't bother with the others and by that time the family had realised that they weren't the most exciting way to pass a couple of hours.

Luv2chat2U · 05/07/2016 20:13

@Curlyhairedassassin, you sound like you could be my twin! No fuss....that's my ideal wedding lol

Thank you @ellahen for sharing your experience.

@at pinkBuffalo that's so sad you could'nt attend, but as you say, you have your certificate and that's something which no one can take from you....that's the main thing.

OP posts:

kiwiscantfly · 05/07/2016 20:20

I went to my first but didn't bother with my second and just assumed they'd post it out, they didn't. Apparently (here in NZ) if you don't go to the ceremony you have to apply to have it sent out. I'd suggest you find out if this is the case for you.

Luv2chat2U · 05/07/2016 20:22

Thanks @ BobbinThreadbare123, no apologies needed, your post is useful...I didn't realise they call your name regardless of whether attending or not. I've learned something new. 😉

I thinking given I'm a mature student, a mother with a grown teenager, my parents aren't to concerned with that side of things....though they are extremely proud of me.

@ shouldWestayorshouldwego....I like your thinking thanks 😀

OP posts:

Luv2chat2U · 05/07/2016 20:25

@Kiwiscantfly.....I will check this out! with the cost of university mounting to £9000, they better be posting it first class in gold wrappings lol.

OP posts:

AnnaMarlowe · 05/07/2016 20:29

I went to both of mine. I felt quite emotional about the whole thing, particularly the second time. It felt like it was important to recognise all the effort and hard work put in and mark the culmination of that.

I felt very proud of what I'd achieved. It was a lovely day for my DPs and DH who supported me too.

I went to my siblings and my DH's too. I know it can seem like a stuffy tradition but in general I think that there are good reasons for some traditions.

For me it marked the end of one phase of my life and on to the next.

PinkBuffalo · 05/07/2016 20:35

luv2
I was quite sad, but I had a different situation to everyone else anyway. Even if I had attended, my family wouldn't have made. I have a severely disabled parent, so she wouldn't have made the journey. I remember before being told I couldn't go, pretty much deciding I wouldn't anyway. I said to my tutor I would be the only sucker there whose family weren't there. Turns out they took the decision out of my hands by saying i couldn't go, which made just want to go more, lol. I am illogical that way.
Have you decided what you are going to do? I think as previous poster said, very personal as to what it means to you. Getting my degree in itself was huge for me, so a ceremony wasn't so much. And I don't like parties/gatherings etc.

PinkBuffalo · 05/07/2016 20:37

Oh, and I'm in th UK and they did post it out. In a special do not bend envelope so it wasn't all screwed up

EmpressTomatoKetchup · 05/07/2016 20:37

Didn't go to either of mine. Couldn't afford the £30 ticket let alone a dress and pair of shoes. NC with parents at the time. Spent the little money I had on a suit and got myself a job. Don't regret it.

Tartyflette · 05/07/2016 20:47

I didn't go to mine, over 30 years ago and regret it massively, mainly because my mother was so hurt. She would have loved it.
(Was young and stupid influenced by boyfriend , now DH, who didn't want to go, or invite his parents either.
We went to DS's grad ceremony a few years ago and it was wonderful. It was held in Durham Cathedral; the VC was Bill Bryson who gave a witty and thoughtful speech, and we all went out to dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant. A really memorable day . Even DS had fun especially as he went off after the meal to party all night

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EllaHen · 05/07/2016 20:50

Tartyflette - that reminds me, I was capped by Diana Rigg.

Floralnomad · 05/07/2016 20:51

My DS didn't go to his , I wasn't bothered ,it was his decision .

Tartyflette · 05/07/2016 20:52

Sorry, s/b Chancellor, not VC. I think.

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