Should I go to my college graduation ceremony or not?

IndridCold

So my graduation is not until late October but I am in two minds as to go or not not. I could really take it or leave it. Is it really that important to go? I mean I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Do you think a college graduation ceremony is of great importance?

endacl

Doesn't matter what I think. Go or don't, based on what you think.

livedadream

IndridCold wrote: »

So my graduation is not until late October but I am in two minds as to go or not not. I could really take it or leave it. Is it really that important to go? I mean I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Do you think a college graduation ceremony is of great importance?

arguments for and against,

id say go but only because its nice for the family and friends to get the pics and feel all proud.

its nice to have the day as well.

i think they are very important, for me my education was a challenge and i fought tooth and nail to graduate from uni, my masters etc were easier but still there was a great sense of achievement of putting on the robe (pretending to be in harry potter) and spending the day with my family and college friends

The Moldy Gowl

I didn't go to mine and was grand.

The mother wanted me to go alright so go if you wanna keep her happy and do it for her.

Parchment

My parents asked me to attend my first graduation and I obliged (even though I really didn't want to go) as they helped fund me through university.

I didn't attend my graduation for a further degree.

BrokenArrows

The only reason to go is for a bit of craic or to please your parents.

Its a good opportunity to meet up with classmates who you might not have seen.

_Brian

Wjen I went to college straight from school my mum couldn't make it to my graduation as she was in hospital battling cancer.
I studied again 10 years later while working and while I wasn't planning to go to the graduation I was very proud to be there with my mum and my wife, for me it seemed to right a wrong if that makes sense. Mum really enjoyed it.

One thing that amazes me attending graduation ceremonies is the amount of people to don't turn up for their graduation for the conferral of a doctoral degree

Like, fair enough not turning up for a diploma, or a degree where you intend to return for a Masters degree. But spending 3, 4 or maybe 6 years working on a doctoral thesis, and not even coming to collect your parchment? And not having your family with you to celebrate?

Always seemed a bit sad, but I guess a lot of those people would be happier spending that time in the lab or the library anyway, it's their own business.

OP, if in doubt, go to your graduation. Remember Mark Twain: it's always the things you didn't do that you end up regretting.

Letree

Its a bit odd not to go

Alf Stewart.

This indecision's bugging me

(Esta indecision me molesta)

livedadream

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Like, fair enough not turning up for a diploma, or a degree where you intend to return for a Masters degree. But spending 3, 4 or maybe 6 years working on a doctoral thesis, and not even coming to collect your parchment? And not having your family with you to celebrate?
.

of the people i know its actually the same alot didnt go however a few of them were working abroad and were unable to travel back for the ceremony.

im also getting that after that long youd be alergic and might just want to forget about it for a while, after the conferring its get published, get published, get a job, get a job with tenure etc etc

Surreptitious

I didn't go to my first one but attended the second one. Have to say I was glad I did. It's nice to celebrate and have your photo taken.

Strong Life in Dublin

Letree wrote: »

Its a bit odd not to go

why is it odd?

Pac1Man

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Like, fair enough not turning up for a diploma, or a degree where you intend to return for a Masters degree. But spending 3, 4 or maybe 6 years working on a doctoral thesis, and not even coming to collect your parchment? And not having your family with you to celebrate? .

You shouldn't judge based on the award level. You have no idea how hard someone had to work to achieve their degree or diploma or how much it means to them.

The Moldy Gowl

Letree wrote: »

Its a bit odd not to go

It's not really.
It's just a piece of paper that will get posted out to you.

And sometimes the class you are in can be full of gowls and you couldn't be arsed spending the day with them.

Letree

Strong Life in Dublin wrote: »

why is it odd?

Its the norm to go and collect the award you have worked years for unless you have good reason not to go. To just decide not to go is odd imo.

If my son said he didn't want to go to his graduation i'd think have i raised a weirdo

Miaireland

I went to both mine. I went to my degree one because my parents wanted to go and they funded me a lot. For my Masters a classmate of ours sadly passed away just before Graduation and his parents were collecting his Degree so the entire class went although most of us had planned to skip it as the cermony was just before Christmas and it was a hassle getting the time off.

Ficheall

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

One thing that amazes me attending graduation ceremonies is the amount of people to don't turn up for their graduation for the conferral of a doctoral degree

Like, fair enough not turning up for a diploma, or a degree where you intend to return for a Masters degree. But spending 3, 4 or maybe 6 years working on a doctoral thesis, and not even coming to collect your parchment? And not having your family with you to celebrate?

Always seemed a bit sad, but I guess a lot of those people would be happier spending that time in the lab or the library anyway, it's their own business.

OP, if in doubt, go to your graduation. Remember Mark Twain: it's always the things you didn't do that you end up regretting.

I didn't go to my graduation for either my degree or phd. I don't need a photo of me in a silly hat holding a piece of paper as a testament to whatever work I may or may not have done with my four years.

I did ask my parents if they wanted to go, and while they were proud of me, they weren't overly pushed about attending a ceremony to prove it. I asked my supervisor and he said that while he was happy to go, he was happier not to.

I went to a friend's before, and it was mind-numbingly dull - sitting there watching hundreds of people shake someone's hand and take a piece of paper.


By all means, OP, do something to celebrate, definitely.
But go to your graduation ceremony only if you feel like it - OR if you think your family would like to attend.

livedadream

Letree wrote: »

If my son said he didn't want to go to his graduation i'd think have i raised a weirdo

seriously?

come off it like,

if you son either a: didnt like people he was in college with,

had started his masters and didnt see the point

was off travelling

was off living his life,

was working and couldnt be bothered

you would think he was a weirdo for not wanting to go wear a suit and sit though speeches from strangers all for a photo and a piece (fancy but still) of paper youd think you had raised a weirdo?

Letree

livedadream wrote: »

seriously?

come off it like,

if you son either a: didnt like people he was in college with,

had started his masters and didnt see the point

was off travelling

was off living his life,

was working and couldnt be bothered

you would think he was a weirdo for not wanting to go wear a suit and sit though speeches from strangers all for a photo and a piece (fancy but still) of paper youd think you had raised a weirdo?

Yes i would send him to a shrink to be tested for weirdness

livedadream

Letree wrote: »

Yes i would send him to a shrink to be tested for weirdness

says more about you then him then mate

Parchment

Pac1Man wrote: »

You shouldn't judge based on the award level. You have no idea how hard someone had to work to achieve their degree or diploma or how much it means to them.

Exactly - that's such a snobbish way to think.

Elliott S

In TCD, at least when I was there, they didn't give you your parchment if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony, outside of something like a death of a close relation. They would ask for proof of that too.

IvyTheTerrible

In many countries, there are no conferring ceremonies, so it wouldn't seem strange to them not to go.
Often people are abroad, or have work commitments, or can't afford the expense, or just can't be bothered.
If people want to go, or don't want to go, just let them off. They still get their degree, so what's the big deal?

Ficheall

Elliott S wrote: »

In TCD, at least when I was there, they didn't give you your parchment if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony, outside of something like a death of a close relation. They would ask for proof of that too.

There you go, OP - in case anyone needed proof graduation was a load of tossery.

(Not directed at you, ES).

livedadream

Elliott S wrote: »

In TCD, at least when I was there, they didn't give you your parchment if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony, outside of something like a death of a close relation. They would ask for proof of that too.

is ''i cant be ****ed to put on heals and a dress and wear a stupid hat that the boys dont have to wear'' a good enough reason?

Greenmachine

Elliott S wrote: »

In TCD, at least when I was there, they didn't give you your parchment if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony, outside of something like a death of a close relation. They would ask for proof of that too.

Calling BS on that.

Letree

Elliott S wrote: »

In TCD, at least when I was there, they didn't give you your parchment if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony, outside of something like a death of a close relation. They would ask for proof of that too.

Proper order, this generation is already turning into antisocial sloths. If i was an employer and i found out a job applicant didn't go to their graduation out of pure slothery i wouldn't hire them.

Bubbaclaus

A bit selfish not to go imo. At our conferring the university president's speech was based around the fact that it was as much our parents day as ours.

To a parent it would be like not getting to see your child's first steps, only this time the steps are into adulthood.

The Moldy Gowl

Letree wrote: »

Proper order, this generation is already turning into antisocial sloths. If i was an employer and i found out a job applicant didn't go to their graduation out of pure slothery i wouldn't hire them.

Why? Dosent mean anything.

All the employer asks for is a photocopy of the piece of paper saying Moldy Gowl is pure rapid at drawing supply and demand curves and this is the proof.

That gown costs 150 to rent as well.

srsly78

Elliott S wrote: »

In TCD, at least when I was there, they didn't give you your parchment if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony, outside of something like a death of a close relation. They would ask for proof of that too.

Rubbish. You can get conferred in absentia, just have to ask!

Sue Pa Key Pa

As a parent, they were 2 of the proudest days of my life attending both my son's graduations. It brought home to me the effort they put in and what they achieved

Elliott S

Greenmachine wrote: »

Calling BS on that.

That's your call.

Parchment

OP never mentioned parents. Regardless not everyone has parents or a family to share the day with so that could be a reason people don't attend.

I didn't attend my second graduation as I don't see the point in all that pomp, paying for a hat/cloak etc. Just not my thing.

Elliott S

srsly78 wrote: »

Rubbish. You can get conferred in absentia, just have to ask!

Sadly not. That in absentia needed a very good reason.

Think I'm making this up? My year, the Geology class asked for their graduation to be moved forward as many of them were moving abroad for jobs, as geologists often do. They did this because they wanted to attend but also to ensure they got their parchments. Moving abroad was not considered a good enough reason.

I don't really care if I'm believed here or not, I have no reason to lie about it.

Ficheall

Sue Pa Key Pa wrote: »

It brought home to me the effort they put in and what they achieved

How?

I'm not denying that you would have been understandably proud, of course, but what about the graduation day enlightened you as to how much effort they had put in? Surely you would have had some inkling during the previous four years when they were actually doing the work...

Bubbaclaus

Ted Cruz wrote: »

If you funded yourself through college it's up to you if you want to go or not. If your parents funded, or part funded you, and you won't go, then that's plain selfish imo.

This. It's amazing how insular some people are that they wouldn't even consider this in making a decision.

Elliott S

Pac1Man wrote: »

You shouldn't judge based on the award level. You have no idea how hard someone had to work to achieve their degree or diploma or how much it means to them.

Nobody works harder than doctoral candidates for their qualification. I say that as a degree holder.

TMM12

Congratulations on your graduation. Nobody can really help you decide on whether to go or not as it's a personal decision. Some people really enjoy their graduations & some don't!
I attended mine even though I wasn't really pushed on going, but I went as I had sat exams with morning sickness, crippling pelvic pain and one while sleep deprived with a newborn so felt pretty proud of myself :cool:
Neither of my parents could make it :rolleyes:

Summer wind

Congratulations on your graduation and I vote for you to attend the ceremony. You've put in all the hard work and it would be nice to top it off with a day out:)

tacofries

You worked hard to get there so you deserve the day out. If it was me i would go for half an hour and if you didnt like it then get back in the car and drive home!

Pac1Man

Elliott S wrote: »

Nobody works harder than doctoral candidates for their qualification. I say that as a degree holder.

Never said they didn't.

kowloon

My parents would have been disappointed if I was stupid enough to pay the cost of a good night out for a speech and the use of a stupid outfit for a day.

intheclouds

Elliott S wrote: »

In TCD, at least when I was there, they didn't give you your parchment if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony, outside of something like a death of a close relation. They would ask for proof of that too.

When was this? They posted mine to me in the 90s.

I've only attended 1 out of 5. I'm just not into them.

Greenmachine

Bubbaclaus wrote: »

A bit selfish not to go imo. At our conferring the university president's speech was based around the fact that it was as much our parents day as ours.

To a parent it would be like not getting to see your child's first steps, only this time the steps are into adulthood.

Culpa artifex en absenti :eek:

A Tyrant Named Miltiades!

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

One thing that amazes me attending graduation ceremonies is the amount of people to don't turn up for their graduation for the conferral of a doctoral degree

I didn't go to mine because I started a job in another country. I probably wouldn't have gone anyway, I'd had three other grad ceremonies and they get a bit old.

Sue Pa Key Pa

Ficheall wrote: »

How?

I'm not denying that you would have been understandably proud, of course, but what about the graduation day enlightened you as to how much effort they had put in? Surely you would have had some inkling during the previous four years when they were actually doing the work...

Because you get to see them stand alongside their fellow students and you realise exactly what standard they achieved.Yes, the results of the previous years showed me what they were capable of, but the graduation was the yardstick among their peers

Elliott S

intheclouds wrote: »

When was this? They posted mine to me in the 90s.

I've only attended 1 out of 5. I'm just not into them.

2009. Thing may well have tightened up since the '90s. Maybe to many people weren't showing up. I suspect it's a nice moneyspinner for them too.

Elliott S

Pac1Man wrote: »

Never said they didn't.

Well, you said you don't know how hard someone had worked, the other poster's point was that they were hardest of all, so it's strange not to show up for that.

Candie

Candie wrote: »

I'd had three other grad ceremonies and they get a bit old.

Hadn't thought of that! It's often a lot of money for the same old speeches and indestructible sandwiches.

Calahonda52

IndridCold wrote: »

So my graduation is not until late October but I am in two minds as to go or not not. I could really take it or leave it. Is it really that important to go? I mean I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Do you think a college graduation ceremony is of great importance?

If you cannot figure this simple thing out for yourself after a college degree, good luck with your future decision making.
It also speaks volumes for the inexorable dumbing down of our educational system.
Of course some might think you are just an attention seeker.