Graduation on your own

LegacyUser

I will have my graduation coming up in October or November. I really want to go as I never went to my first graduation a few years ago. This may be my only time to wear the hat and gown. Its not my only reason for going. I would like to meet up with all the people again that was on my course.

But I have no one to bring with me. Going from last year's graduation they were allowed to bring four people each. But I can't think of anyone to invite. I don't have much friends. All the friends i made were on the course. They will all have family and friends.

But myself, I will be left with the option of family. I would love it if some of my family came but i know that they will probably not come. I did the course for two years in a different county. My mother is saying it will be a great day out but i know her so much. She has never left the county. She has never even visited me during my two years of college. She doesn't visit her sisters who all live in different counties. There were weddings of my cousins and funerals of my aunt's husband and my mother never went to one of them. So what will my graduation mean to her? She has no transport but there's buses and she always had a place to stay. And I am already saving for the day, i will more than likely put her up in a hotel. All she has is the cost of the bus and some spending money.

I have a sister and brother but they have their own lives, so not sure if they would come either.

So what do i do? Do i go alone on the day and see every one else with their families and supporting them, where i have no one.

Alessandra

OP, my advice is to tell your Mum how you feel. If she doesn't feel comfortable coming ask your brother/sister either. Why not make it a family day out?
It's a momentous day in your life and I'm sure they would love to come if invited...

looksee

OP, all you can do is ask your mother, and preferably a sister if you have one? It would not cost significantly more to put them up in a hotel room than just your mother. It might also mean that your mother would be more likely to come if she had someone to travel with.

Other than that could you find someone who would go, or was there anyone on the course who for whatever reason does not have family to attend so you could be company and celebrate togehter?

We were not able to get to my daughter's Masters graduation as she was in the States, but she had friends there and they had a great time.

However. If you cannot get anyone to come, I would seriously consider not going to the graduation on your own. Having done several at this stage (mostly my childrens') it is a nice way to have your family together and say 'thanks for your support' or just 'celebrate with me!' If there is no-one to go with though it is just a day of sitting and waiting around, a few seconds of walking across the stage, and then more milling about. No fun if you are not with friends or family. Maybe treat yourself to a couple of days holiday instead?

Sinall

OP, invite your family and see what they say. Don't make a big deal out of it when you invite them - I know if I hype anything up my parents get panicked about it so the best thing to do is down play it. If they can make it then great! If they can't you'll honestly be fine to go on your own - you'll have a good time anyway.

My parents have gone to all my graduations which I was delighted about, but I could tell they would have preferred to have skipped the last one! When I was chatting with my class-mates afterwards I was still keeping one eye on my parents to make sure they were okay and trying to involve them. There's usually a meal afterwards where people disperse with their families, but maybe your class-mates are meeting up in the evening for a night out?

woodchuck

Just ask your mother and your siblings and see if they'd like to go. But if they don't, you will be fine on your own! I've been to two: the last one I was at I was glad to have my family there because I didn't know very many people. But for the other one they were there and it honestly wouldn't have made much difference if they weren't because I spent so much time with my friends! The fact that all of your friends will be there means you'll have nothing to worry about; you'll spend most of the day having a laugh and posing for photos with them. Just go and have a great time whether your family are there or not