Some of you may know that I have recently finished my three years at Bath Spa university and yesterday I can proudly say that I got to wear a cap and gown whilst accepting the official certificate on a stage infront of hundreds of people at Bath Abbey. So I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you about the day and hopefully answer any questions/worries that you might have about graduation.
What is graduation?
Graduation is the name of a formal ceremony that you attend after completing your degree at university (or college if your American) whilst wearing a mortar board and gown.
So up early at 6:30am and out the door by 8 for a 10am ceremony...I had a lot of nerves and so only ate a very small bowl of rice krispies. Before getting to the Abbey I had to register in a hall where they also fitted your gown, hood and hat onto you and gave you a seat number. In the hall there were loads of tables set up for registering and gown fitting as well as a professional photo area, a fun photo booth and a number of advisory alumni 'what to do after uni' type of advice stands. We then walked over to the Abbey where a crowd of graduates with their family and friends had started to gather outside and we all started taking many photos together. I hadn't seen many of my friends for almost 2 months so it was nice to take the opportunity to have a catch up. It turned 9:15 and the front doors opened so everyone started to file in, I left my family with my belongings to go and sit in the graduates area where I found a programme full of names of everyone graduating on my chair which made a nice souvenir. I was fortunate enough to be sat near a few people that I had worked closely with so we got chatting.
The ceremony was announced open by the head of the school of Humanities and Cultural Industries. He announced the arrival of various staff whom then paraded solemnly through the middle of the Abbey, taking their seats on stage to a piece of music that could easily get played at a funeral. The head of the school then made some long speech about the digital industry evolving throwing in a number of jokes and references about Brexit and taxes whilst of course congratulating everyone on finishing their degrees. They then started reading out names as we each got our moment to cross the stage, shake our head of departments hand, collect our certificate before sitting back down. This surprisingly didn't take as long as you might think and whilst waiting for your turn you clapped as hard as you could clap each time one of your friends names was read out. The student valedictory then gave a brilliant speech, quoting Lord of the Rings before we were told to take off our caps. The ceremony was then announced as closed where the staff started a procession back out, this time followed by graduates to a much happier tune, another crowd was waiting outside of the Abbey to watch everyone leave where we then continued to socialise and take more photos this time with our degree in hand.
After the ceremony, still in cap and gown we decided to hop in the car and to take some photos up at The Crescent, The Circus and throughout the picturesque grounds of uni. (If you go back to 'Bath' you'll find some info on what the circus and Crescent both are) We all had a lovely family meal at one of the first restraunts we visited in Bath when I first arrived before returning my cap and gown. I stayed an extra night in my old student house with all of my fellow housemates as we of course decided to go out for cocktails in celebration of our achievement!
Question time!
I had a lot of questions and worries before graduation and starting uni so I thought I would answer some of them here as well as Q's about my own degree for anyone with the same thoughts. (Disclaimer: different unis may vary this is just based on my own experience)
What degree did you do?
Media Communications BA (Hons) and I achieved a 2:1.
How hard is university?
Very hard but don't let that put you off because I can honestly say that it was the best three years of my life. You meet so many new people, create so many memories and learn how to live in the real world.
Can anyone go to university?
Yes...well technically yes, you have to earned the awards before reaching university age. In the UK that means you need GCSE's and A-Levels (or equivalent).
Is it scary attending graduation?
Like I stated above, I was super nervous right up to the point of being stood by the stage waiting to hear my name but the second they call it you immediately forget the nerves and just concentrate on walking, shaking a guys hand then sitting back down.
What if my cap and gown doesn't fit?
Before you graduate you have to fill out a form with your measurements but they have a pile of different sizes on hand as well as a big pot of hair pins to hold your hat on your head if need be.
What if they call my name wrong?
They confirm your name on the day before you go up onto the stage and if you have an unusual name then they contact you in advance to confirm the pronunciation of it.
Do I have to attend graduation to graduate?
No, they just send your certificate in the mail but you don't get to wear the fancy hat.
I don't drink and I feel uncomfortable in social situations is uni for me?
SNAP! This is me all over and on the first day of Freshers week after being dropped off I sat in my room and cried through fear. The uni tends to offer non party events through out as well as a more recent thing of an alcohol free event. I sucked it up and forced myself to go out with my housemates to the parties to be social but then left after 30-60mins. The people I came across had so much respect when I said I didn't drink (confused after my night of cocktails? I started to drink in 3rd year). To answer the question, yes uni is for you as it is so much more than parties and drinking.
Should I go to uni?
Personal choice, more and more other ways are becoming available to those who don't want to go to uni they are just a lot less advertised.
If you have any other questions feel free to drop them in the comments and I shall try to answer them.
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| I did it! - Bath Abbey |
