Graduation - what's the protocol?

[Sandra6]

Eldest daughter is graduating next month. 2:1 in Psychology and criminology. Very proud of her.
I've never been to a graduation, mr6 didn't go to uni either. My brother did, but he failed. I don't know what happens, or what you're expected to do.
Is there a dress code? Are gifts expected? Is it a long and boring event?
We're having to leave at about 5am to get there on time - going by train - so I'm a bit concerned I'll fall asleep, or my stomach will grumble loudly!

 

[Sandra6]

I

After my graduation, which was in the morning, my parents and I went to the pub for lunch.

 

[accountantpete]

And you will probably have to meet all her friends' parents banging on about their cherished offspring.

Don't forget to steal something from the auditorium as a souvenir of the occasion.

 

[TVC]

Treat it like you are a minor guest at a wedding.

When your daughter walks out to get her certificate it will be one of the proudest moments of your life, other than that it's rather a dull service. Normal practice seems to be to take your daughter out for a celebration meal afterwards, then either she will spend the rest of the day with you, or go out with her friends in the evening.

You can never have enough photographs though.

Enjoy

 

[smutchin]

Is there a dress code?

No, but the thing to bear in mind is that you'll probably be wanting to take some family pictures to put up on the mantelpiece (or the modern equivalent, Facebook), so wear what you want to be seen in. Graduation is generally regarded as a fairly formal occasion.

Don't do what I did when my girlfriend graduated - turned up in jogging pants and a sweatshirt. Her parents didn't say anything but looking back on it, I'm sure they were furious. I wasn't in any of the photos.

For my own graduation a week later, I thought I'd better at least make a token effort, so bought the cheapest suit I could find in M&S.

 

[smutchin]

[QUOTE 4849632, member: 259"]Your daughter will expect a gift or at least some dosh[/QUOTE]

Is that right? I never expected a gift when I graduated, and I don't know if it was generally the done thing, but that was over 20 years ago so I expect things have changed a bit since then.

 

[Crackle]

They're boring but normally held in nice surroundings and as it's a one off occasion, well worth attending. Mine was in the old cathedral in Liverpool, in a borrowed suit. I have one picture from it, outside on the steps with a mate. Neither of us thought we'd pass as we both spent our time climbing, so it's rather apt that the one picture is of us both together.

 

[Globalti]

Last summer I went to the graduation of a Sudanese friend in Salford. I graduated in 1979 so I was quite shocked at the lack of decorum in 2016 as families and friends shouted, whooped, cheered, ran to the front to take photos and generally made a racket. To add to my discomfort one of my friend's other Sudanese pals turned up dressed in religious clothing and at the moment our friend received his handshake, jumped up beside me and shouted "Allahu Akbar" very loudly indeed a couple of times. I discovered later that the bloke is actually a university lecturer and deeply intellectual.

 

[Salar]

Didn't go to my graduation. Couldn't be bothered with all that dressing up and speeches.

 

[Fenrider]

Based on the graduation ceremonies I've attended (including as a proud parent), I'd suggest:

1. Wear smart dress to mark the occasion as special and demonstrate respect for her acheivement.
2. Use the opportunity to tell her how you feel about her.
3. Thank her for a lovely day.
4. Big gifts aren't expected, but a card and a bottle of champagne would be appropriate.

The venues can be spectacular. The ceremony is long with lots of sitting and clapping, but with plenty of feel-good moments.
Have a good one!

 

[Markymark]

Dull as anything apart from 5 mins of being very excited.
Dress smart. The student who wears outrageous clothes or does something crazy gets the biggest cheer. Don't ever be that person at such an event.

 

[rich p]

I was lucky in that my daughter was one of the first to go up, so my son and I quietly slipped out soon afterwards and went to the boozer...

 

[TVC]

Dull as anything apart from 5 mins of being very excited.
Dress smart. The student who wears outrageous clothes or does something crazy gets the biggest cheer. Don't ever be that person at such an event.

During my time at Poly there was one guy, a proper hippy who never wore shoes and didn't have a watch - he would often arrive at the first lecture in the morning a couple of hours early. I spoke to him a couple of times and he was a really smart guy and so very open. Anyway, after three years of studying everyone at Poly knew of him, so when he shuffled onto stage at DeMontfort Hall, barefoot, best loon pants, and die dyed vest the whole of the place erupted and he got a standing ovation. A very memorable moment.

 

[Beebo]

My ceremony was in Canterbury cathedral so smart dress was expected. It is very boring. Just a list of names being called out.
If you are lucky you will get a famous person receiving an honoury degree and they will make a speech.

 

[Bodhbh]

Is it a long and boring event?

The answer to that question is, I can't remember a single thing about mine. Apart from getting beat up outside the union the night before and my mother having to use her makeup to cover the black eyes.