Graduation Money saving?

Kayteehee

Have posted this on student forum with no replies so hopefully some of you with a bit more experience can help me out

Just booked my graduation from my BA Photography, Video and Digital Imaging degree.....

I'm normally such a moneysaver but if I wanted to attend with any guests it cost £25 per ticket, so I got one for my Dad and one for my partner..... The robes to hire for a couple of hours (which we MUST wear or we are not allowed to partake in the ceremony) were £39.... and I don't know how i'm gonna pay that (maybe credit card) and live for the next few weeks before payday....my degree show is costing into the hundred pounds and I did save a lot of money through that - not going to a professional framers and getting nice frames from IKEA instead....

Anyway I now have to make sure I look nice on the day and don't have any money left.... I also have to live through the next few weeks... has anyone got an ideas? I get paid in about three weeks or so.

I think I have some smart clothes to wear under robes though was thinking of borrowing some from a friend maybe to save money?

Is there anything else I need to take into consideration for the day?

I'm going to have lots of no spend days in order to make use of what's in the cupboard and stuff cause money cannot escape my bank account unless absolutely necessary.

Cheers for your imput

Artytarty

A white blouse/top and black on the bottom either skirt or trousers looks best in the formal photo anyway. In fact you cant see the bottom half in the photo. Just make sure you do your ahir well and make up. You only get to sit in the photographers chair for about 20 secs anyhow!
really, as long as you weaar a lovley smile then you will be pleased with the result.
Any way your Dad could pay for the tickets.... just to show how proud he is?

Brighton_belle

Congrats on passing your degree:T.
It is very exciting, the whole atmosphere of the grad ceremony: my OH graduated as a mature student 3 yrs ago and I couldn't believe the pride i felt at watching him go up and get his degree. We could ill afford the 3 tickets and gown costs either but it was worth it.
The casual photos outside with friends and the degree group were great and we don't miss not having the formal (very expensive) photo. Doesn't sound lik you are going for that anyway, though your degree subject at first reads a bit like you are talking about that at first).

So I don't think you will regret spending the money for a superb memory and finish to your hard work. I am sure just borrowing smart clothes underneath will be fine. I can't tell you what the women were wearing in my OH's group under their gowns.

Do you want to get your hair cut or anything like that - see if the local college are still doing cheapo haricuts by their student beauty therapy/hairdressing students.

Kayteehee

I'm not going to buy the formal photographs as you have upfront to book the photographs, and seen as I have just got a degree in photography and have loads of equipment etc it seems stupid but pay to get a photo I could get one of my friends to do. The only thing that will be missing is the university branded mount.

I would never ask my Dad to pay for the tickets as we've had a turbulant relationship and it's an absolute miracle he's agreed to attend, he's never been to anything in my life and I hope he comes on the day!

Kayteehee

Thanks Brighton for the advice - don't know where the thanks button has gone!?

I will look into hair cuts at college places or something like that because that would be great.

I don't know many people at all on my course as I was ill for a year and dropped back by a year group so I won't be having any photographs with people in my year. I'm quite nervous about the whole thing to be honest but i've been told by so many people that going to the graduation ceremony is a great end point to your degree so I didn't want to write it off.

princesslaura

At my graduation there was a small store selling university branded items (mugs, pens, etc), they also sold the mounts with the university badge on.

Errata

White top, black bottom annd don't worry too much about a hair style as the mortar board will cover it and squash it. Congrats on graduating and best wishes for your future.

laughingsheep

Hi Kayteehee, congrats on your degree!

I've done the graduation thing twice now and just wanted to echo other comments that dark trousers and a white shirt are fine for under the robe, especially if the robe/sash is a bright colour. Personally I think skirts/dresses look a little weird with the robes as the robes are quite bulky and trousers balance the outfit better.

motherofstudents

Congratulations :j For my graduation I bought a grey wool dress which was quite plain, can't remember how much the gown cost to hire (it's so long ago!) but my parents paid for a sitting at a photo studio which I know was very expensive - ironically my photo got moved further and further as each grandchild came along. For my boys we just had the photos on the day which were absolutely fine. As people have said you don't really see what you are wearing and your hair gets messed anyway, the main thing is enjoy the ceremony and I'm glad dad is coming to support you, he should be very proud of you.

samandona

Im suprised you have to pay for your graduation tickets : Do you go to a small University? I too am graduating this year but we don't have to pay for ceremony tickets, only robes which is £39. You have known about that cost for atleast the last 3 years though so it shouldnt have come as too much of a shock :P Im not bothering with professional photo's - overrated and expensive.
As others have said - just the usual tie (if you're a guy!), shirt and black trousers. It won't be seen for the robes anyway, and everyone will be looking the same! I havn't quite decided what im going to be wearing as il be about 25 weeks pregnant by the time I graduate..that should be fun!

belfastgirl23

Make sure whatever you wear under the gown is relatively cool - they can be very warm. Not too short as well or it looks a bit odd. But no one will really see it so whatever you have that's smart-ish (dark and plain) is fine! Hope you have a lovely day.