Graduation - Did you go?

shiney85

Maybe I'll feel differently in three years when I finally finish the OU degree I started last October, but I'll be going to that graduation day, I'll be wearing that stupid hat and fancy gown, and having a daft photo taken, because I'll have (hopefully) blooming earnt it! I'm from a degree-free family, I'll be the first one to do it, and I'm proud of myself for even starting it

I think it's better to regret things you did do, rather than regret the things you didn't do. It could be a nice day, but if you don't go, you'll never know!

hairypitz

I didn't go to my undergraduate degree ceremony and have no regrets.
I didn't like the people on my course, didn't like my university either and didn't want to give them even more of my money or smile sweetly at tutors I thought were useless.
I went on holiday and have a great photo of me by the pool having a sunny and wonderful time.
My parents are proud of me whatever, it's what I've achieved that's important not a stupid day and a photo.
PS your uni may do an alternative day later in the year for people who resit or couldn't make the first ceremony. You could always do that instead if your parents feel so strongly.

quaveriw

I went to both graduation for my HND and BA, the graduation for my HND was bittersweet as my father had died six months previously and I felt proud that I was the first from the family to go through university.

I now work at a university and attend graduation ceremonies for those students on the courses that I administer. So I probably see it from a different perspective now, plus it's also nice to see all the students again after they have left to see how they are getting on.

fullofideas

No. I did not go to my graduation. I would have found it embarrassing and expensive. I spent the money on a plane ticket and spent my graduation day in Yosemite National Park. It's up to you.

Lily-Rose_3

Wow, a LOT of people here who didn't enjoy uni. I am surprised to hear that, as I thought it was a lot of fun. That's the impression I get from people who went anyway (and people who have kids there now.)

To the people who didn't enjoy it; Why didn't you?

Sorry, just curious.

And to the people who didn't go the the graduation ceremony: why didn't you?

Again, just curious. I am not judging. Honestly.

BobbinAlong

I went to my degree ceremony but that was in 1978 when it was both cheaper and easier and it was a nice day in London with a ceremony at the Albert Hall. My dad took my photo too so we saved on that.
Both my children chose to miss theirs, my daughter because of the cost and my son because he'd moved to Sweden. Both were just ceremonies at the university and cost lots for gown hire and ceremony.
I don't have any problem with their choice, they have their degrees, why pay so much just to end up with a fancy photo when they need that money for everyday living? If I wanted we could hire the gown anytime (cheaper out of graduation season I bet) and take a photo which would look just the same.
Your money, your choice.

System

I went to my ceremony, but only because my mum insisted. I don't enjoy being the centre of attention and did not enjoy the ceremony or the day and felt it was a waste of money. I did it to keep my mum happy but would not have gone otherwise and would not have missed out on much either.

adamnsu

Pros:
- Last to see all friends and foes
- Get your picture holding a certificate for your kids/people to see

Cons:
- Not a cheap affair. You have to rent a gown and picture. Sometimes you have to pay for attending. This is the last chance the Uni gets to leech from you.
- Its usually quite a boring day filled with queues with long speeches by academics.
- Dont expect any refreshments

However I think you should experience this once in your life no matter what cons I have put.

Cottage_Economy

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Wow, a LOT of people here who didn't enjoy uni. I am surprised to hear that, as I thought it was a lot of fun. That's the impression I get from people who went anyway (and people who have kids there now.)

To the people who didn't enjoy it; Why didn't you?

Sorry, just curious.

No parental support, financial or emotional. 35 hours of lectures a week plus extra 5 hours of additional revision lectures, 2-5 hours of lab work a week, 2 subject tests a week, supporting myself with 2 jobs, one at a nightclub 4 days a week, and one a saturday day job with nightclub shift in the evening. Extra work picked up on sundays sometimes at the local leisure centre cleaning the pools.

It was a struggle. I was always tired, always very short of money, and very rarely went out with friends because I was either the one serving them behind the bar or I had a shift to get to and couldn't turn up after drinking or I was studying for a test. During the summers I volunteered at one of the university's labs during the day as well to get extra experience so didn't get to work full time and earn enough to pull ahead.

Broke up with a boyfriend in my second year who turned out to be the most unsupportive !!!!less !!!!!! who made my life difficult. Got lots of money from his parents, !!!!ed it all up the wall and failed his first year twice then tried to sabotage me by wanting me to go back to his hometown with him as it was all a waste of time and we didn't need a degree to get jobs.

I sit and laugh along with other people who talk about how great it all was getting lashed every night, but the reality is it's a lie. I never did.

Wouldn't change it though. I learnt what I was capable of, as well as how to withstand and then ignore people's criticism and achieve a goal.

sazdes

Person_one wrote: »

Never heard the old joke?

Q. What do you call somebody who graduates bottom of their class from medical school?

A. Doctor.

You'll never know how well your surgeon did in their exams, only that they passed them. Its completely true that nobody cares about their grades once they're qualified and working. Medical degrees are pass/fail anyway aren't they? No firsts, 2:1s etc.

yep correct there's no grading system at graduation you either graduate or you don't!

Cottage_Economy wrote: »

There are levels within the medical training. Every medical school will have a different way of doing it.

I think pre-clinical classes are based on the same system as a normal university grading system, but once you go into the clinical stuff it is pass/fail. However, there are gradings. You can pass, pass with merit, pass with distinction and if the school offers it, a good performance throughout the training could get a pass with honours but you have to be in the top of a specific percentile. I think. It's bloody complicated.

you get graded for every exam you sit (never the 2:1/2:2 system though) - our medical school its either excellent/satisfactory/borderline/unsatisfactory - obviously the later 2 qualify you to have to retake them!

At the end of the course though you literally just pass or fail - there's no pass with merit/distinction at our medical school.

You can get hons if you get about 50% of your grades as "excellents" but that's normally about 80% on exams, and given the uni openly admits 20% of each paper you will never be taught, or told you need to know the topics of - they're "just there to challenge the clever ones!" its incredibly rare to graduate with honours

Just so glad its finally over! the relief is immense!!

I think its down to the individual if you attend though, would you regret not going at a later date? Have a chat with your parents and maybe decide together?