do i go to graduation?

omelette451

sunshinejoclaire wrote: »

Not always true, i know this is not true for the University I work at. Conferments are done prior to the graduation days, the grad day is purely ceremonial.

At my university you can choose a graduation date to attend that can be anything up to ten years after you finish. It's complete rubbish to say that means you don't technically have a degree, it just means you don't have the certificate. Even if you need to prove you have one (e.g. for a job) you can get an extra piece of paper that will do.

squirrelchops

I've got 18months to go to graduation (fingers crossed!) and the wearing of the hat and gown is one of my big motivators as no one in my direct family has a degree. Hence I really want my Mum to have the picture of me on my graduation day.

She asked the other day if she could put a congratualtions in the paper when I do graduate......normally I would run a mile but this time I relented! Mind you feel a bit daft having my name in there at 33 but there you go!!!!!!!!!

Silaqui

I refused to go to my BSc graduation - I hate the whole thought of it, like someone said I went to uni for a qualification not to shake some blokes hand and get dress up like a fool. My mum made me go for the PGCE one though, turned on the guilt trip and told me how disappointed she'd be etc. I think because I'm the first person in the family to go to uni theywanted to photos to give to the family. Still crap though. One of the most boring experiences of my life, you look like an idiot, the hats are stupid and fall off, and it costs you a fortune!
Guess its all down to the individual, if you wanna go you wanna go!
x

proudmum_3

I have read your posts with interest and would like to put a parents perspective on it.
My sons graduation is in July and i have to admit that i would be so dissapointed if he had said he didn't want to go.
As a parent, i have seen my son grow and mature through the milestones in his life. This will be another oppertunity to show him how proud of him i am and to be able to share his special day.
Sometimes, money can't buy that.
My son has worked hard for this and i just don't understand how some students are saying it was a waste of time. Yes, i know it will be a long ceremony and that it will be a handshake for a couple of minutes. but for those few minutes, as a parent will be emotional.
Perhaps some of you will understand when you become parents yourself and will realise that whether it be your childs first steps, or their graduation, it is important to us Mums and Dads.

Bluelion

I went to both of mine, was alot of fun. It was also a final good bye to some of my class mates whom were leaving the country for home.

Although the day can be quite expensive, not sure what the prices are like now but there is gown hire and professional photographs depending on what you order.

If you can afford it, I think you should go else you'll miss out on an experience and I believe you should take advantage of every opportunity life gives you. Whats the alternative? Stay at home twiddling your thumbs?

loopy_lass

i didnt go to mine, 1st because i refuse to pay the extortionate amount of money required (around £300), secondly at the time there was only me and my young daughter who would not have been interested in the pomposity of it all, and thirdly, one lecturer announced that our "mature" course was funded by XYZ and that we should all go to the graduation for the papers which would result in more funding. Now thats ok to a degree but often our lecturers didnt turn up, or we got telephone calls to say home study as no lecturer available. They even changed one of the modules after we had bought all the books for the original module..... so no i didnt go on principle...

not regretted it yet and it was 2 yrs ago, its just a big up for the uni IMHO

loops

cte1111

I didn't go to my graduation (12 years ago), as I had just started a new job, and also hadn't had a great time at uni, so was just glad that it was over. I don't regret it at all, in fact I feel proud that I was able to make the decision and not just be a sheep and do what everyone else did.

Bluelion

cte1111 wrote: »

I didn't go to my graduation (12 years ago), as I had just started a new job, and also hadn't had a great time at uni, so was just glad that it was over. I don't regret it at all, in fact I feel proud that I was able to make the decision and not just be a sheep and do what everyone else did.

Baaa Baaa! I must be a sheep then

Scrumpy60

I was adamant that I wasn't going to go to my graduation last year, but eventually crumbled after my mum told me how much it would mean to her... The graduation itself was free, and although everyone was entitled to 2 free tickets, we managed to get 2 extra (free) for my partner and my nan to come too. So that left the gown etc (£38) and then photos (around £30) but it was a good day, even though there was a terrible downpour! I do think I'd have regretted it had I not gone, so I'm glad I did - even if everyone does look silly in the cap and gown!

Nenen

To some extent I guess going to a graduation ceremony depends upon the attitude of your family and/or friends and how important it is to you to celebrate your achievements with them. Some parents (like my own) do not value education and couldn’t care less about whether or not their child has graduated. My dh and I have always worked incredibly hard to give our children the best possible education (in terms of the time and effort we spent playing, talking and reading with them as well as supporting their schools and helping them with homework etc) and so it is really important to us to celebrate together.
As a parent I will be incredibly disappointed if my youngest son chooses not to go to his graduation ceremony in 3 years time as I can honestly say that my eldest son and daughter’s graduation ceremonies were among the proudest days of my life (second only to marrying their dad and the days each of my children were born). Although it can be quite expensive, it is a drop in the ocean compared to a wedding and I would have sold my soul if necessary to raise the money to pay for such a special day for my children! I don’t think graduands look silly, far from it, I think they look wonderful! The photos of my children graduating take pride of place at home and are something that make me smile every day. Getting a degree is a terrific achievement and in my opinion is a really great reason to celebrate. Maybe if formal occasions are not really your style you could have a family party before you go abroad.
I didn't go to my own graduation ceremony 27 years ago as my parents didn't want to travel to London (they only lived about 30 miles away in Kent but my mother doesn’t like cities) and I didn't see much point in going alone. I have always regretted my decision and felt it increased the anger and bitterness I felt about my parent's attitudes towards me and their indifference to my academic achievements. I’m currently studying for a Masters degree at Cambridge and this time will be sooooooo different! My husband and three children will all be there and I know they will feel immensely proud. For me this will be a cathartic experience and I am looking forward to it more than I can say.