Graduation - Did you go?

j-josie

I didn't go to mine. I had already gone back home to NI, uni was in England. I was getting married in a few weeks and could not see the point in all the expense.
The post man delivered my degree certificate and my mother chased after him to tell him that!
I have never regretted it; that part of my life was over.

Mind you, my DS is at uni now and I think I would burst with pride to be at his graduation. Maybe it's more of a thing for parents:p

Jellybro

My son didn't go to his.
He really didn't want to wear all the gear and be centre of attention.
I am proud of him regardless!

Carmina-Piranha_2

My son didn't even go to his high school prom. He did go to collect his GCSE certificates and that was nice - but he was in 6th form of the same school so all of his current friends were going. If he goes to uni I'm sure he won't want to attend graduation, and that's fine with me. We're not the sort of family to have a 'graduation wall' in our sitting room anyhow, like some people do.

claire16c

I went to my ceremony and glad I did even though it was a 4 hour car journey, I had a meal after with my boyfriend and parents.

I think I got 68.something % but was awarded a first, I think because a large percentage of my marks were over 70.

I would have been gutted not to have got a First as it was down to one module in my final year with a terrible lecturer that led me to dropping marks.

mentaljessie

I went to mine first time round, to give my Mother a bit of glory/proudness despite me not giving her any grandchildren yet. My graduation photo still has pride of place in her lounge, it's central with the grandkids around it.

I'm the first out of my family to graduate, typical council house kid. Despite this Mum and Step Dad encouraged me all the way. To the point Step Dad was a little peeved he didn't attend my ceremony (or the post party at prezzo).

Next time I attend a ceremony which is in October I'm taking both Nan's and my Step Dad, despite my anxiety disorder I've completed this for them. I refuse to deny them thier moment, despite personal pressures on me.

Skintski

I absolutely hated university to the point where when my results came through the post I sat and cried because I was so relieved it was finally over.

Why on earth would I have wanted to go back and celebrate something I despised? Fortunately for me my parents understood and allowed me to make that decision as opposed to being pushy and wanting the family photo. For me uni was merely a formality, not something I enjoyed.

studentuk1

Thanks for all the replies.

I mentioned this again to my mother tonight, stated I had no interest in going because X Y Z reasons, and her response was basically "tough, you're going". After advising her I was an adult and would be making my own decision, she got quite narky.

For me, I think this issue has become more than just the graduation. It's pushing me to start looking for somewhere else to live (currently living at my mums), which in turn may help my mother realise I'm no longer a child and that she can no longer dictate what I shall be doing.

Maybe I'm completely out of order, and I owe it to her to give her the graduation day, but in no way, shape or form shall I be told I'm doing something. I'm an adult, not a 12 year old child, even if I am living under her roof.

meames_2

I went to mine, 3 hours of boredom. A terrible photo thats in my parents loft (even the photographer was appalled at my crazy hair). Nice meal afterwards. But glad I went.

It is easy for me to say now but in a few years the grade of your degree won't matter. Perhaps its my age but most people I was a uni with (left 1994) got 2:2s and firsts were rare. Now it seems the opposite way round. It has not hindered me one jot.

pablakeman

My graduation is in around a month and I will not be going. I am saving up to move out for my grad job and none of my family will make it so no point.

We have a photography day on June 10th so will still get to have the photo (10 days before my results!!).

I haven't read other replies yet, lets hope I haven't made the wrong decision!

no1catman

I went into Further Education doing evening lessons, decades after a poor results at School e.g. one 'O' level.


Started with, BTEC NC, then on to HNC., then on the BA(Hons), - the latter two both resulted in 'Graduation' events.
These, I wouldn't have missed for the world, and to have the pictures to frame.


There're treasured memories of prized achievements.