Graduation - Did you go?

Buzzybee90

Yes I went, I was incredibly nervous and I didn't have many friends on the same degree. You sit in alphabetical order too so I wasn't sat with anyone I knew.

Luckily - no falls or anything silly, I had genuinely dreaded it for about 6 months.

I got a first and the day was very special for my family and boyfriend to celebrate my achievement and I enjoyed relaxing with and seeing them so much more than the ceremony which quite frankly was quite scary for me.

Buzzybee90

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'm sorry but a 2.1 is excellent... A 2.2 is the category that 'most students are expected to fall in' for individual marks, though I think most people aim for a 2.1.

Only four people on my large ish course got a first and I'm the only one of my friends up and down the country to have got one!

olgadapolga

I went to my graduation but it was for ME, because I had worked so hard for so long to get that degree and I was really proud of myself for doing it and doing it well. I wanted my family there as they had sacrificed so, so much in order that I could achieve my dream. I loved the course, had marvellous tutors and was part of a good cohort.

I loved the whole afternoon, it was fun, seeing my university friends who I hadn't seen for three months, catching up, seeing my name in print in the graduation booklet. The ceremony was long (I was the very last person to go up) and it was just a handshake and a photo but my husband and daughter had managed to get front row seats and to see them there looking so happy was a very emotional moment (especially as my daughter was only 9 and made it very obvious that she was my daughter!). I was a bit annoyed about the staff representation from the faculty as it was the most unpopular tutor - I think that we felt a bit cheated and that they should have sent a better representative along!

It was a good day, all in all.

Different story for my post-grad though; I hated the course, hated the staff, hated the university, hated my cohort and had a thoroughly miserable time. The relief I felt when I handed in the last piece of work and took my library books back was insurmountable - it was OVER. I had decided that I would not attend the graduation and I have never had any regrets about that decision. Nothing would have induced me to go do I can understand exactly what the OP feels.

I think that the idea of a meal etc sounds great and sounds as though it would work for you. The photos are nothing special anyway; you are photographed holding a blank scroll with a ribbon round it - the same scroll as everyone else holds!

sulphate

I went even though I "only" got a 2:2, I was proud of the achievement (still am). Apart from my wedding day, it was the only day in my life people moved aside to let me pass them on the pavement!! :rotfl:

I agree with taking into account your parents feelings on the matter.

My husband (hopefully!) graduates this year and whilst I am looking forward to going to his ceremony I'm not looking forward to his mother coming and getting all fussy and emotional about the whole thing. Mainly because they/she haven't supported him in any way shape or form and have all but said that they think he's been wasting the last 3 years.

I don't really give much thought to my degree classification, I don't believe that I have been disadvantaged in "only" getting a 2:2. More to the point it's what you do with it that counts. I have friends who got firsts and 2:1s and haven't worked since, another friend that got a third and has a really good job now.

Billie-S

GoldenShadow wrote: »

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.

Wow, what pig-headed, jealous, childish numpties! :rotfl:

Mine are at uni, not finishing for 2 years though. Haven't even thought about the graduation ceremony. After what I have heard though, I am not much looking forward to it. Must admit, that I also thought that everyone had to go. Like you couldn't get your results if you didn't. Daft I know.

I have heard thought that a 2:1 AND a 2:2 are both good. A 'first' is obviously the best, but the others are very admirable. I think the person slating a 2:1 was mad because they just missed a first by a gnat's whisker...

Savvy_Sue

Not reading all of it, but ...

One of my friend's DDs actually couldn't go to graduation, because she needed to produce her degree certificate before starting work (graduate scheme with a bank), and in order to get her degree certificate fast enough she had to have it by post. I don't remember all the details, graduation was perhaps later than mine was.

I loved my graduation, DH hated his. I made it clear to DS1 that I wanted to go to his graduation, and his grandparents came too. We all had a great day. Same for DS2: they were both at Warwick and I love the way they do their ceremonies. DS3 should graduate from Bristol this year, so it will be interesting to see the differences, but I'm a bit concerned about the logistics as I'm fairly sure we won't be able to get all of us into the ceremony proper, and the overflow is half a mile away. I don't think anything will keep the grandparents away, even though FIL won't remember any of it within a week ...

Mrs_Ryan

I'm studying with the OU at the moment and my degree is 4 years long. I know now I will definitely attend my graduation and I will want my family there as well- my beloved Dad is in the early stages of dementia now so I just hope that he will still be alert enough to know what's going on I'm aiming for a first. I could live with a 2:1 but I would be devastated if I got a 2:2. I want to teach and I've been told I need at the very least a strong 2:1. I'm working my backside off at the minute which has paid off so far even though I'm only about halfway through my first module in my first year which I know doesn't count but I'm determined to see that right through.

studentuk1

Thanks for all the responses. They've definitely provided food for thought.

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I'm studying with the OU at the moment and my degree is 4 years long. I know now I will definitely attend my graduation and I will want my family there as well- my beloved Dad is in the early stages of dementia now so I just hope that he will still be alert enough to know what's going on I'm aiming for a first. I could live with a 2:1 but I would be devastated if I got a 2:2. I want to teach and I've been told I need at the very least a strong 2:1. I'm working my backside off at the minute which has paid off so far even though I'm only about halfway through my first module in my first year which I know doesn't count but I'm determined to see that right through.

I'm looking into teaching too. From what I can tell, you can get on a PGCE with a 2:2, but it depends on what you want to teach.

I'd be looking into teaching secondary Computer Science, which is under subscribed and is offering £15k bursary for 2:2, and £20k for 2:1.

If you were to teach Physics or Math, you'd have a shot at getting onto a PGCE even with a third, and they'd give you a £9k bursary.

Primary - you'd probably need a 2:1, but I've known people who get accepted with a 2:2.

Ivrytwr3

marywooyeah wrote: »

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.

It's you that sounds bitter about the whole thing. Who cares what anybody else got? You got a 2:1 degree with all the stuff that was going on in your life! I am AIMING for a 2:1, never mind settling for one!

As a more mature student, i know that a 2:1 is very well respected and you should stop dwelling on what could have been and start being proud of your achievement.

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Studentuk1, where can i find the information about he computer science bursary?

azzabazza

I left school at 16, got a job, met DH, married and had two children. I was given an opportunity to study (work sponsored) later in my career and graduated at the age of 52. One of the proudest days of my life.

I wouldn't have missed my graduation for the world. It truly represented all the hard work I had put in.