Advice on attending graduation day

[LoveBeingAMum555]

Hi

Our eldest son has his graduation in a few weeks. I am clueless about this and dont really have anyone to ask. I guess from photos that I have seen on social media that smart dress is required on the day, and I have said that we will get booked in at a restaurant afterwards.

What else do I need to know? Any tips or advice from those who have done this before?

They are so spectacularly boring! Interestingly, we've had a few students recently who missed their graduations during covid, so have just come onto campus with a hired gown and photographer to do a little photoshoot. I think I'd be tempted for that now, just to get a few photos for Grandma.

You can usually collect your gown early. I did this for my MSc graduation this year - it was at 4pm, I collected the gown at 11am (first ceremony had just started so no queue), had photos in it outside with city backdrop in the sunshine, wore it to lunch, then on to the ceremony.

People pay to attend graduations?
I have endured attended four graduation ceremonies and never had to pay to attend.

Wear comfortable shoes, take a rain coat and umbrella if weather is foul as lots of hanging around. There will be opportunities to get professional photos, sometimes there's a reception in the department, varies quite a bit.

Most people wear clothes that you would see at a fairly formal but not posh wedding (think below knee per Una dresses, suits) but actually some come in jeans

@SoWhatEh Both DDs had drinks receptions. However as I have only been to two unis for two graduations, I cannot speak for everywhere. I think the degree ceremony booklet had the required info. Where and when. Both after the ceremony.

I disagree about all ceremonies being boring. DD2 got hers from Grayson Perry. His speech was interesting. It was also at the Royal Festival Hall with plenty of food venues nearby! They did drinks afterwards. Also DD2 did a diploma course recently and that had drinks after too. Maybe there’s info on a graduation website? Ask DC maybe?

We had to pay for the second one, I was shocked but it was held in a cathedral and maybe they charge huge rent to offset lost entry fees for visitors for the week it was closed for the use of the Uni?

Yes, that would make sense @VanCleefArpels

Most people at DD1's graduation
Dads: Chinos, brogues, linen jacket/sports jacket.
Mums: flat shoes/sandals, jersey/cotton dress (nothing bodycon/shiny/chiffon), linen jacket, definitely no hat

I think we paid for Royal Festival Hall graduation. Worth it though. Hot day and it was air conditioned!

DD is graduating next week. She can arrive 45-150 mins before. The ceremony is scheduled to take an hour. She didn't hear about drinks reception until end last week - looks like it's free.

I've got some shoes that go perfectly with my dress, but have bought a slightly bigger bag so I can pack a spare pair of shoes - nowhere to park nearby, so we'll have to walk from the bus.

Reading this with interest as my DS graduates next week and hasn’t sent us any info so far although he says he has ordered his attire and our tickets.

my graduation ceremony 30 years ago was ruined by my parents arguing on the way there over my fathers tie or lack of (Tie purchased at Tie rack on arrival at the station!)and my mother not smiling in the photo as she was cross with my father and didn’t like the city I was graduating in. Therefore I think putting one’s child first and remaining cheerful on the day however boring it is is of paramount importance!

A smart but not overstated dress - think country village wedding. But please no hat.

DON’T stand up in the actual ceremony to take photos. In fact, it’s really rude to take photos at all, even when seated, as you block others’ views. But people will do it even when asked not to.

There will be official photos and so on that you can order, or take photos outside the actual graduation congregation.

Comfortable shoes and layers. I wear a suit under my gown as it’s a formal occasion but gosh, it can get hot. And I imagine the auditorium feels more closely packed than we are up on the stage.

Women don’t have to wear suits for formal occasions. A decent dress is just fine. Under a gown, who on earth checks!? Unless you are a man of course.

Women can even wear trousers if they want!
No need to wear a dress at all.

Mine was "free" for me -but £47 fir gown hire (compulsory)

And £25 fir any guests.

My parents watched on YouTube. Much more comfy for them (masters for me at 50, they attended my undergraduate at 21)

Do you need to stay over? If so make sure you've booked somewhere. As others have said, book any meals ASAP - smart and popular places get booked up.

As well as any official photos, you might want to wander off some pretty spots to take your own. We got some lovely photos of DD1 on her local beach, and of DD2 in some attractive touristy locations.

Comfy shoes are a must. Book restaurant asap. Pay for an official photo for DC you will probably regret it if you don't.

Yes to the official photo. The one we have of DD is absolutely stunning.

We had a great day at DS's graduation - 3 of us attended with DS as he managed to get an extra ticket for his younger brother.

Depends very much on the university - his wasn't boring at all! We all went to a pre-graduation lunch in his department (I think this was a limited invitation thing to a smaller group of students however, perhaps based on results or department awards/ contribution etc?) He collected his gown etc and had photos done and then we took informal photos in the gardens/ by the river etc.

Yes, there was a lot of clapping at the ceremony itself, but it was well- run with some short entertainment (acapella group, readings etc) while they moved between different groups.

We then spent a short while chatting to his friends and their parents afterwards outside, before returning gowns and then going for an early dinner (his was an end of day graduation). DS then went back to the hotel and changed before going out with uni friends for the evening.

Men wore: suits/ open-necked shrts, jackets, chinos etc
Women: dresses, pretty tops & trousers, linen jackets etc. And yes, flat and/or comfortable shoes for a variety of terrain!

I attend several graduations a year as part of the academic congregation @PresentingPercy ! Of course you don’t wear a gown if you’re just in the audience.

It’s a formal occasion that’s important for my students so of course I dress formally - dress and jacket. The mechanics of my gown and hood mean that a tailored jacket is the best thing to wear to secure my hood.

@SideWonder ? Did I say that? I get you are at work but you don’t have to wear a suit. It’s possible to put everything in place without a jacket. Wear a structured dress.

Do students judge you on what you wear? Basically they probably won’t care.

Have a great day OP. You must be very proud - special milestone for you all.