Graduation - Did you go?

lollypopswater

I went to my graduation for my degree but not for the 2 post grads I've fine since then.

My parents are also divorced and on pretty bad terms - this means I had 2 graduation photos commissioned on the day...! It was hard worrying about how to keep them apart but I'm glad I went to at least 1, it's a milestone as others have said and marks the end of a lot of hard work.

Whatever you decide though do it for you and what you feel is best - good luck!

studentuk1

I've no interest at all going for myself. The life-long friends I met at university were on different courses and have already graduated.

I'm the first from my family to go to university, so I can understand why my parents may want that photo.

For me, I 'graduated' when I handed in my final piece of work last week. That relief and freedom felt like I'd slammed a huge book shut. Going to a graduation ceremony in a few months feels like I'll be reopening that book, and all for an awkward day watching my divorced parents ignore each other, wasting a lot of money, and making lots of fake smiles and pleasantries with people that I have no interest in seeing again.

I'd much rather go for separate meals with my parents, have a few drinks afterwards, and buy them both a big bunch of flowers and a card saying thanks for the support.

Even at 22, I'm still petrified of disappointing my parents.

Lily-Rose_3

This is a bit of a relief actually. I thought it was mandatory to be honest.

I guess I will do, but I don't really want to go to our daughter's, (she is nearly at the end of year 1,) as I have heard from several people that the whole day was incredibly boring, and the ceremony was too. Kind of like the oscars. And also, as our daughter's university is 275 miles from us, (550 round-trip, and 5-6 hours,) we will probably have to find somewhere to stay. (Adding cost as well as it being time consuming, AND my hubby has to book time off work as I can't drive long distances.)

I get exhausted very easily and aren't fond of long drives: they knacker me out, and my joints get very stiff. As I said, hubby has to do it as I can't drive far. Even as the passenger, it knackered me out going to all 6 open days in 2012, especially as 3 of them were 150-275 miles away! And then we had to take her in September last year, to her uni 275 miles away.

I think she will want us to go though, so I guess we will have to.

I sound proper miserable don't I? I think I'm just getting old and can't be bothered with stuff. Especially stuff that is 5-6 hours drive away!

meritaten

mine was Open University - and as I had done it all by myself, and via the postal service, I thought it fitting that Royal Mail also deliver my degree.
my Brother got his degree at University (Cardiff) and we all went - but that was his choice - he loved it there!
Its YOUR degree, your choice.

marywooyeah

studentuk1 wrote: »

For me, I 'graduated' when I handed in my final piece of work last week. That relief and freedom felt like I'd slammed a huge book shut. Going to a graduation ceremony in a few months feels like I'll be reopening that book, and all for an awkward day watching my divorced parents ignore each other, wasting a lot of money, and making lots of fake smiles and pleasantries with people that I have no interest in seeing again.

I'd much rather go for separate meals with my parents, have a few drinks afterwards, and buy them both a big bunch of flowers and a card saying thanks for the support.

Even at 22, I'm still petrified of disappointing my parents.

you sum up your feelings very well I think you should suggest the separate meals idea to your parents x

Pechow

I'm not going to go to mine, though I'm doing an OU degree now. My first uni experience was very bad and graduation feels like it would remind me of that too much. I've worked hard on this one, a new subject while dealing alone with health issues that have impacted on my studies and thus grades, so if I get a 2:1 I will be happy.

As for you OP, I wouldn't say it's selfish at all if you didn't go-more, consider whether making your parents happy in this instance is worth it more than not wanting to go. As in, would they fight, how much does it really mean to them, how much do you really not want to go, etc and if it's feasible cost/time/socially/other-wise, then perhaps do it for their sake and build up some good will and happy memories for them or suggest an alternative that would make you all happy!

topdaddy_2

I went. It was a good ceremony. My wife didnt. Hers wasnt-my brother graduated from the same place. Go if you fancy it, dont fret it if you dont.

seven-day-weekend

Is there any way you can just hire the cap and gown and have photos taken without actually going to the graduation if that's not what you want?

Gloomendoom

I didn't go to mine. I was broke at the time so couldn't afford to hire the cap and gown or the train fare to get there.

I've got a bit more money these days so I'm going to the 30 year reunion this year though.

pollypenny

marywooyeah wrote: »

I went even though I was upset at my grade ( I narrowly missed out on a first, by 4 flaming marks!!!!)

I was glad to mark four years of hard work, but it was hard watching all my friends collecting firsts while I got a s**tty 2:1 and I left the ceremony upset.

If you haven't enjoyed the course or the people, consider how you may feel sitting at the ceremony in the gown and hat (which costs about £50 to hire)x

Those of us who are older, and were assessed on 'the normal curve' wouldn't call a 2:1 !!!!!!. There was only one first and four 2:1 s in my cohort, one of which was me.

The idea of 'all my friends collecting firsts' just shows the change in structures.

BTW: it's called a mortarboard , not a hat.