Is this how graduation ceremonies are now?

[Toddlerteaplease]

I have recently gained a degree as a part time student, through work. Gradation ceremony next month. I have just been sent a link so my family and friends a record a 30 second video dating how proud they are. It will be played during the ceremony. I personally can’t think of anything worse than having to sit through multiple videos. I’d this a common thing now?

Lord. That sounds hideous! I can't speak from experience but I would seriously hope not.

Dont kniw sounds awful. Do you want to go?

I've never heard of this. Depending on how many graduates are at the ceremony, those videos could add a couple of hours on to an already long event. I can't see many people doing it.

God lord no - seventh circle of hell.

just wanted to say congratulations on your massive achievement!!

Why would anyone think that is a good idea?

To be honest I’m not fussed about going. But I have very few red letter days. So I’m making the most of it. But this idea sounds dreadful! I didn’t know if was the norm and as we are all older. (All nurses) and just out of touch with the ‘yoof’

When I got my Diploma in 2004 it was very formal! Organ music etc and went on for ages. I presumed this would be similar!

I've never heard of this How absolutely awful.

And I really feel those students who for one one reason or another don't have any friends or family to do this. More pointed exclusion for the socially excluded.

As an event photographer on the side, I’ve had to sit through three of these in the past week, they are bloody awful, so cringe. IDK where this idea came from but I’d put it up there with repetitive speeches that never end as things I’d like to ban. The worst one was the parents who told their child he was the best thing that ever happened in their life. I saw his poor sister afterwards.

Oh God what an awful cringe I couldn’t think of anything worse!!!!!

That sounds awful. Sentimental slop. Not my cup of tea.

I wonder if they will be playing them before the ceremony, as people are finding their seats and settling down. When I was an academic they had an organ recital then latterly we had a bagpiper for our academic procession. At DD’s graduation the organist used the time to teach us all to sing Gaudiamus Igitur, which is sung during their academic procession.

I would adore an organ recital as I love organ music. My first one had one. I do t think this one will. As the hall has no organ. 😰

I’m equally baffled that thre is a warning not to use confetti canons, airhorns and banners. Clearly I live in a parallel universe!

My parents wouldn't have been able to cope with that - Mum was painfully shy and Dad avoided making speeches.

I bet this is what it will be. Just something playing on the big screen before the ceremony begins, not something that everyone is obliged to sit and watch and pay attention to. At my child's graduation there was a QR code that directed you to a website where you could type in a message with a photo and these were shown on the big screen, but only up until the point that the ceremony officially began.

What about those overseas students where there is no opportunity to record anything?

@LlynTegidthis particular course doesn’t have any. We are all employed by the local NHS trust and it was funded by them.

That sounds likely. Though it's not a thing yet at the graduation ceremonies at my institution where everything remains pretty trad -- caps and gowns, organ music, Zadoc the Priest, lots of Latin and handshaking.

That sounds awful! No, I’ve been to several graduations over the last few years and they seem unchanged from my own-organs, orchestra, quite serious, lots of clapping!

@Chemenger I hope that’s how it’s being done!

Noo. Went to one last year and it wasn't a thing. Pretty sure it won't be one at the one I'm attending in the summer either.

I'm sure it's not mandatory, but why wouldn't the families of overseas students be able to record something?

My daughter graduated with her nursing degree last November and this didnt feature in her degree ceremony! It would be awful for anyone who had no family or where English is not their first language and perhaps family cant do this

It was actually really lovely, especially because as (US) college students graduating in 2024, the vast majority of them didn't get to have a high school graduation (which is a huge rite of passage here) in 2020. It really added to the excitement of the day and the families' joy in being there.