My freshman through junior years of high school, I performed with my choir at every graduation. We actually had three schools on one campus, so that was nine graduations total: three graduations every year for three years. During each one, I'd listen to more or less the same speeches as I sat there in my choir robe--almost identical to those the graduates wore except a little fancier in the shoulders--pretending not to be bored out of my mind and waiting for our choir director to cue us.
My own high school graduation was almost no different except that I wasn't sitting with my choir: I was sitting next to two of my friends. We performed with my choir, one last time (the only time I cried during one of those performances), before returning to our seats to listen to more speeches by people I didn't know with the same general theme as all the ones I'd heard before.
So when it came time for me to walk at my undergraduate commencement I wasn't nearly as excited as you might think I'd be. I'd already done it about 10 times and I wasn't even going to get to break up the speeches by singing with my friends this time.
Still, I learned a thing or two by taking part in so many ceremonies which helped my college graduation go so much smoother than high school. That's what I want to share with you: my best advice for making the most of your graduation day.
1. Check the weather and dress accordingly
I've seen three versions of this meme, so I'd say it's applicable to more than just my home state.
I graduated in December, so it was snowing on the day of my commencement. Actually, it was kind of a wintery mix that later turned into snow and froze into a thick layer of ice on the sidewalk. It was occasionally windy, like tassel-in-my-face, Toto-I-don't-think-we're-in-Kansas-anymore windy. Fortunately, I was prepared. I wore a dress, per the school's commencement dress code, that was knee-length and also put leggings on underneath. They were black, like my gown, so no one could tell.
I also pinned my cap to my head so I could keep my hands warm instead of holding onto my mortarboard for dear life.
My high school graduation, however, happened in May. It was hot. Even though my white robe was thin enough to see through, I was hot, just like the other 500-some students crammed into the convocation center. It's a lot harder to stick to dress code and not overheat with this scenario, so it may depend on where and when your graduation is.
Whatever the case may be, plan ahead. Don't be like the girls who showed up to my undergraduate graduation--in December--in tiny skirts and sky-high heels. And on that note...
2. Wear comfortable shoes
Ladies, this one is for you especially. But guys, if you're thinking about breaking in those new dress shoes on graduation day, think again.
Let's be real: chances are that no one is going to be looking at your shoes, at least not during the ceremony. Wear something that you could stand in for two hours without sitting down--I had to do it, so you might, too--and that you can walk in without looking like a teetery toddler. If you're going out afterward, then bring a change of shoes and have a family member in the audience hold them, or keep them in your bag with the rest of your stuff in the area they'll (likely) allocate for that somewhere else in the building.
The likelihood of your graduation photos showing your shoes is minuscule, so it won't be immortalized forever if you decide to wear your comfy old shoes that are already broken in. Seriously.
3. Bring your phone!
On a completely different note, is anyone else worried that the kid on the left's eyes are red? Maybe he's just going into politics...
Yes, because a graduation selfie is obligatory. Yes, because you're going to want to take pictures while you and your friends are getting in line before the ceremony. Yes, because you're going to wait at least half an hour for the thing to actually start and having your phone there to play games on is probably not a bad idea.
But I've graduated twice now and they always usher the graduates out separate from the guests, so you must have a way to contact anyone who might be there to celebrate your day with you. I'd strongly recommend having a meeting spot, because, even with a phone, communication might be difficult. It's still good to have some means by which to contact your guests (or friends if you're going out for some post-ceremony eats).
When I graduated from high school I didn't have my phone. My school had a ridiculous cell phone policy and I was honestly a little nervous that if some teacher decided to confiscate my phone I'd never get it back. Nor did my family and I have a meeting point and my post-commencement experience was not fun.
Just remember to turn the ringer off (your Pokémon ringtone might be cool, but having it play at full volume in the middle of the chancellor's speech probably wouldn't be).
4. Talk to the people in line with you
You're going to be sitting through a long ceremony and chances are that you won't be next to your best friend, even if you are graduating with them. You'll probably also be standing in line for a long time waiting for the darn thing to start. You could send snaps to your other friends... or you could actually talk to the other people graduating with you.
They probably aren't in the same disciplines as you, so you might get to hear some funny stories you've never heard or new perspectives about the school you've come to know so well (or think you've come to know).
When I was waiting in line, I had a fascinating conversation with the young woman next to me. This was her second bachelor's degree and she wanted to eventually study more. If I recall correctly--which I probably don't--she was from the Ukraine (it was some country in eastern Europe, I remember that much!) and English was her second, maybe even third language. We took a couple selfies in the crowd and rolled our eyes when one speech dragged on and on and on (apparently someone missed the memo about keeping it short).
It makes it a little more fun if you don't feel like you're alone.
5. Enjoy the day YOUR way!
Get it? Because Bachelor of Science and... oh never mind.
Above all, remember that you don't have to go to any celebration that the school puts on. You don't have to go out with your friends, parents, significant other. You can just go home and crash if you want, because you probably have some sleep (or Netflix) to catch up on.
This is your day to celebrate your accomplishment. You just earned one of the most expensive pieces of paper you'll ever touch: you've earned the right to do what you want, if only for a day.
