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Higher education

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

Original poster

Graduation Ceremony ....

34 replies

frazzledbutcalm · 14/07/2014 11:50

We attended our ds graduation ceremony last week ... now called Academic Congregation ...
A proud, proud moment, just wanted to share! It was lovely! What I found most lovely was all the students in their gowns and caps milling around the uni campus before the ceremony began. Everyone was happy, chatty, sun was shining, photos/cameras everywhere ... it was just so lovely!! Grin
Good luck to those starting uni, congratulations to those who've just finished.

OP posts:
chemenger · 14/07/2014 12:13

Graduation is lovely, I have been to about twenty as an academic as well as my own two and I always enjoy them. It is a unique atmosphere, well described by frazzled. I think students are often surprised by how much the enjoy an event which is not "cool" at all.

Bearcatt · 14/07/2014 19:08

I've been to both DS's graduations in 2010 & 2013, both at University of Nottingham so it was pretty familiar second time around but also a bit different.
It was lovely to see all the young (and older people) at their graduations all ready to start another new part of their lives.
We too had the most perfect weather both times and a lovely buffet lunch /afternoon tea.

MillyMollyMama · 14/07/2014 22:28

My DH can't decide what to wear. DD has hers later in the week. What is the norm? A suit?

Original poster
frazzledbutcalm · 14/07/2014 22:45

I think all dad's/men wore suits .... I think just because it's a formal occasion, but a lovely relaxed one at the same time.

OP posts:
MillyMollyMama · 14/07/2014 23:29

Suit it is then. Looking forward to the day and we have booked a great restaurant the night before as we wanted to mark the occasion.

BestIsWest · 15/07/2014 14:29

We went to DD's yesterday. It was lovely. As said above, seeing all the young graduates and proud families was very moving. I also loved seeing the more mature graduates with their DCs. Everyone beaming with pride. My Dad graduated at age 55 and that was a lovely occasion too.

BestIsWest · 15/07/2014 14:31

Plenty of men in suits or linen jackets, quite a few in jeans too. All sorts really.

funnyperson · 15/07/2014 18:21

What did the mums wear?

chemenger · 15/07/2014 18:35

The mums at ours wore dresses mostly, one had the most beautiful kimono (probably hard to pull off if you are not actually Japanese), my favourites are the mums who come in traditional African outfits, so exuberant. Hats seem to be out now. I suppose it is one step down from a wedding outfit really.

WestEast · 15/07/2014 18:41

I'm not attending my graduation, it's tomorrow. It's in a different city, I left university last September and have been working since then.
I would have attended if it was actually close to the time I finished Uni but it seems rather pointless to go when I left almost a year ago.
Hope you have a lovely time :)

BestIsWest · 15/07/2014 19:49

Mostly summer dresses with shrugs or wide trousers with floaty tops or pretty skirts with nice cardigans. One fascinator, no hats. All sorts really.

Persipan · 15/07/2014 21:05

The normal advice is to wear something that would be appropriate at a wedding.

funnyperson · 15/07/2014 21:58

What sort of shoes? There always seems to be a lot of standing around at these things.

BestIsWest · 15/07/2014 22:26

Definitely wear comfortable shoes. I wore some low wedges. You're correct. A LOT of standing. I can't do heels though.

fussychica · 16/07/2014 19:43

How lovely for you all - I've got to wait another year as DS on MFL course.
Did you stay over the night before Best or were you lucky enough to have an afternoon ceremony?

Bearcatt · 16/07/2014 19:46

I had to walk bare foot across campus from the graduation ceremony to DS's department prize giving.
Good job there was lots of grass Grin
My heels weren't even that high!
At the end DH had to go & pick up the car & come back & pick myself & DS2 up. There was no way I could walk back to the car.I sat on a bench in the sun whilst DS2 was going round his friends saying their goodbyes Sad

RolloRollo · 16/07/2014 20:32

Went to DDs earlier this week, it was one of the proudest moments of my life and I am not usually the emotional type!! The ceremony was lovely, it was followed by a department drinks reception which had such a celebratory tone - I really felt DDs lecturers knew her and were very proud of every single student.
DD felt quite nervous about the whole thing, she had been looking forward to it for a long time and it was over in a flash. It was a wonderful day though.
DD is now gutted uni is 100% over and there is no going back to her uni city (well in the short term at least as she has a job lined up in London). She really was thriving there! I now feel slightly guilty for missing her so much, I can see why she loved uni.

BestIsWest · 16/07/2014 21:41

We had a morning ceremony Fussy but we live about an hour and a half away so decided to drive up. Typically there was a traffic jam so it took us 2 hours. It was a fabulous day though. The ceremony was lovely and then we were all ushered into the upstairs of the Arts Centre for a glass of bubbly. So nice to see so many proud parents, grandparents - and partners of graduates all beaming.

fussychica · 17/07/2014 09:07

Didn't realise you were quite that closeBest - 4.5 hours for usSad.
The pics and stories on line are lovely - lots of his friends have now graduated, just MFL and a few business folk left.

Lilymaid · 18/07/2014 16:19

Went to DS2's graduation yesterday. Nice well run occasion with DS looking very handsome and mature in suit and gown. All that messed up the day was the long stretch of the A1 closed last night that meant a long diversion on the way home.
He's off to do an MSc at another university now so perhaps another ceremony will be in the offing.

MillyMollyMama · 18/07/2014 17:16

We were sitting in the allocated parental seating for DD to go and get her degree when it became apparent an usher would be right in our line of sight. They stood up throughout the whole ceremony. DH shuffled into our DD's vacated seat to peer around the usher. The usher then said if DH did not move back he would be removed from the hall. DH did not actually see DD get her degree. Unbelievable! Spoilt the day.

Bearcatt · 18/07/2014 19:14

Milly. That's so shit!!!
Was the degree ceremony being filmed (professionally)?
If it was your DH may be able to see DD on line getting her degree somewhere.

MillyMollyMama · 18/07/2014 23:36

Yes it was filmed. £27.50 for the DVD. Got it but giving it to my Mum. We failed to see how on earth my DH shifting a few seats to his left made any difference to anyone as that whole area had no-one sitting there as they were lining up to get their degrees. A few students said this usher treated them like children too and was very abrupt. Just so unnecessary.

Mumof3teens · 19/07/2014 15:16

DS2s graduation on Monday - really looking forward to it. We are traveling up tomorrow and have booked a nice meal and hotel for us and DS1 & DS2. Ceremony early the next day. :)

Mumof3teens · 19/07/2014 15:17
  • travelling