Graduation - Did you go?

System

I went, even though I hated my course with a passion

Never went to the degree show though

I went to the graduation ceremony as I felt it gave me some closure on the whole thing. Plus even though I only got a 2:2 I felt proud I'd survived it tbh

I have divorced parents but don't speak to my bio dad so that wasn't an issue for me

minerva_windsong

I went to mine - it was something I could have taken or left but my parents wanted the 'moment' of me getting my degree, the official pictures etc so I did it to make them happy. Plus there was a nice moment where I found out that my mum had gone to school with the mum of one of my third year housemates, so our mums got to have a natter and catch-up after not seeing each other for decades.

That said the ceremony itself was quite boring and, as others have said, it wasn't a social event. I had the official pictures and a few snapshots with friends, and then we went for a late lunch at a nice restaurant in the town where I went to uni - but I could have quite easily done the last two of those at another time. I don't regret going but I don't think I'd do it again, if I did a Master's for example.

You sound like you're pretty set on not going and you'd be perfectly within your rights not to if you don't want. I would suggest the drinks to your parents and see what they see. They might be disappointed inside, but it's your choice and they should respect your decision to do what you want.

seven-day-weekend

I went to mine even though I got an unclassified degree (didn't go for the honours course).

My husband got a first - there were four firsts and twelve 2:1s in his year (1984).

We both went as mature students in our 30s with a child and a mortgage.

GoldenShadow

I can't decide whether to go to mine. I finished in Jan and it's not until October..! I've got my degree certificate already. I'm a bit like why spend £100 on hiring stuff/photos when I don't even get presented with something?

Just feels like a con. Only two other people finished in Jan with me and they both got sour grapes because I got a First and neither even speak to me now. I don't know those finishing in June as well as those two so it's just a bit weird. Due to being in October it's a waste of a day's annual leave if I'm not that bothered too.

marywooyeah

pollypenny wrote: »

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.

I am older - I didn't graduate until I was 26. I started when I was 22 and when my son was 15 months old. I held down a job throughout my degree and I worked fulltime in my final year whilst also running one of the university societies.

Literally all of my friends got firsts. They had their parents funding their accomodation and spends so they could concentrate solely on uni. It was good for them, but I did find it hard especially when people with firsts asked what I got and feigned congratulations when I had to admit that I'd got a lesser grade than them.

I worked very very hard and that's why I was so disappointed to miss out on a first by such a small margin. Hence why my degree doesn't feel like an achievement at all- this was explained in an earlier post and I'm sorry that you feel the need to mock that.

And you're right - it is a mortarboard and not a hat. I hope you will accept my apologies for referring to it incorrectly.

Torry_Quine

I didn't go to university but nursing college so no graduation ceremony for me to go to. There was an official 'ceremony' of sorts at the nursing college when we got our badge but the actual certificate I already had received through the post. I was actually working on the day and got my badge later.

I do wish there had been something more official as my qualification was just as much an achievement.

Spirit_2

We went to our daughters under grad and post grad graduations.

It was symbolic, a right of passage and a small effort on our part to witness and celebrate her success.

The best photos are those my husband 'snapped', not posed but a smiling, natural happy young woman. The 'formal' undergrad piccies are propped against a wall in the spare room and will never be hung/on view. For the masters we did not bother.

DD had been a bit doubtful about going first time around as she hates fuss/limelight/dressing up. She said on both occassions that she did not want to take the gown off.

Gloomendoom

marywooyeah wrote: »

And you're right - it is a mortarboard and not a hat. I hope you will accept my apologies for referring to it incorrectly.

I wouldn't beat yourself up about calling it a hat. Ede & Ravenscroft, the official academic dress provider for the university I work for calls it a hat too

Q. What does full outfit mean?
A. Full outfit means all the required items for the award that you are receiving and is usually a gown, hood and hat although this varies according to the institution.

JIL

We went to the eldests, but didnt do the official photos. Just went for a meal afterwards.
The youngest did not want all the fuss he did not go to his ceremony and just collected his certificate at a later date.

It was their choice, they did all the hard work. We did not mind either way. Even though they cost us a small fortune whilst they were there!

SmallL

I did go, but purely because I knew my parents wanted to go.
I found the ceremony rather hot (was last year and absolitely boiling), time-consuming and to top it off they pronounced my name wrong even though I sent them the correct pronunciation!