A week ago, I graduated.

That's right, I did. I had my graduation ceremony. After a hectic seven hours starting at 6:30am (I think it was, it was pretty early for a Saturday! *lol*) I received a piece of paper informing me that I have officially completed a Bachelor of Science , with honours (the important part)! But it is strange though, you don't realise how important it was until its over...

So let's start at the start. Graduation ceremony number 151 (well, that's what it says in the program). At 10:30am on Saturday April 1st. It had the dubious distinction of being on a cold and windy April Fools Day. Before the ceremony, I was just like, whatever, lets get this done. But on the day, the anticipation of getting your degree and the recognition of four years (or if you want to be really pedantic, its been about 18 years) of education to reach this point starts to sink in and reach fever pitch.

I don't know what it is precisely. Is it the robes, with the olive green sash? Being able to share this experience with your family, who are excited to celebrate this day with you? All the photos you take or are a part of? Seeing people you have studied with throughout the four years about to share the same experience as you? A lot of honours students were at the same ceremony, which made it extra special :) (Doing honours was like 'rite of passage' so seeing them there was like an acknowledgement that we had all made it!) The organ music that plays as the procession enters the hall that sounds so much like like a wedding march until one particular note is played? Seeing the Lord Mayor John So? Or the degree itself?

Whatever it was, it worked - so much so that by the time it was my turn to get my degree from the vice chancellor, I was a nervous wreck. So much so that the usher at the top of the stairs on the stage said to me "Now take a deep breath..." before I walked across the stage to get my degree. I think I forgot to nod to the vice chancellor too, but its hard to say...it was such a blur that I don't remember anything except that I waved to my family in the balcony as I returned to my seat. I can double check what happened on the DVD! After the ceremony was hectic too, trying to find my family in a swarm of black robes. But I managed it, and then we left to have lunch. You want food by that time :)

Since there isn't a lot to say about the actual ceremony and I don't want to ruin the experience too much for those of you who haven't graduated yet, here is my advice to those of you who haven't had a graduation ceremony yet:

- Think about what kind of photos you want. If you want to do outdoor photos, its best to do them when its light. It wasn't a problem for me, as it was during the day, but if you're in the evening, you may have a problem. If you want professional photos, get them done beforehand if you can. You don't have to wait as long, and you haven't sat through the ceremony yet and messed up your robes. Plus, they'll give you a fake degree for the photos! And if you're like my parents, there will be a lot of photos!
- Still on the subject of photos, if you want photos with friends, if they're graduating with you, make sure you take it ASAP, as they may be whisked away without warning. If you've asked friends to meet you beforehand, make you clearly state the time and place. You don't want them grumpy because there was a miscommunication between you.
- The robes are not that good at keeping you warm if it is a cold, windy day.
- It actually doesn't take that long to get the robes put on. You don't really need to be there an hour and a half early.
- If you're video taping the ceremony, make sure you get the person you want and don't switch off the camera beforehand. We are only on the stage for a minute at best. Otherwise you have to get the DVD, which is more expensive if ordered after the ceremony.
- Talk with your family (and maybe friends too) beforehand about what you want to do especially with regard to photos and about after the ceremony. Just to prevent any misunderstandings and to make it an enjoyable day for all.
- If photos are not your thing, there are plenty of other graduation 'souviners' available. There is should be something to suit everyone.
- If you're graduating with a bachelors degree, or a bachelors degree with honours, you don't get a hat :( You've been warned. You only get a hat if you've done a masters (black square hat) or a PhD (black squishy bonnet).

That's pretty much my graduation ceremony. The funny thing was, the final thing that hammered the point home that I had graduated was the surprise waiting for me when I got home. He was so cute!