Did you/ would you walk at your college graduation?

katiebug388 · March 2011

Hi ladies! I've come to a point where I really need to make a decision about walking at my graduation. I will be completing my bachelor's and master's program in May. Yippee!

Problem is: DH is in pilot training far far away, and I would get to move out to live with him 3 weeks earlier if I don't walk. We've been long distance all through college, and this past year we were married while apart. It was what worked for us, and I wouldn't change it. But I cannot wait to be done and out there!

So my question for you lovely ladies is: did you walk at your college graduation? Was it an experience of a lifetime ? The only college graduation I've attended was DH's, and his was amazing, and mandatory. So not really a comparison. Any thoughts are appreciated!

JenniferAnnes · March 2011

I did walk at both my college and law school graduations. I think a big part of it depends on who the speaker is and if you'll be surrounded by your friends. It can be a great experience, or completely boring depending on the speaker. I graduated early from college so I didn't graduate with my friends, and it wasn't that special for me. For law school, I ended up being really close to a lot of people and it was a great experience, and we had a really good speaker.

If it's something you think you'll regret, I'd suggest doing it b/c you'll never get that experience back. I get where you're coming from about wanting to move to DH...I'd probably move and skip graduation if I were in your shoes, but that's just me.

Good luck & congrats on graduating!

shelley1002 · March 2011

I walked in mine. It definitely was not the experience of a lifetime but it was nice to hear all the cheers and have my family and college friends there.

If you have been LD for years, what's another 3 weeks? (DH and I were long distance for our first 6 years so I understand the excitement of finally living together) Could you move down there then go back for the night for your graduation?

camdenfaithful · March 2011

shelley1002:
I walked in mine. It definitely was not the experience of a lifetime but it was nice to hear all the cheers and have my family and college friends there.

Ditto this. I walked because my parents threatened me with having to repay all my loans. LOL!! They said after taking out countless student loans helping me with homework and everything, that I had to walk.

Honestly I did it more for my parents than anything else. I knew it was a really big deal for them to see all of their children graduate and walk across the stage so I did it for them. I commuted to school and transferred in so I wasn't really close with anyone I graduated with.

My advice if you do go, take a good book or your cell phone to play on. It's pretty boring.

MsCrispy · March 2011

I went to a small college, so everyone walked. I always think graduation ceremonies are pretty boring, definitely not an experience of a lifetime. I would not have been disappointed to miss mine, but it sounds like you want to walk in yours.

I'm also in grad school at a large university and I do not plan to attend that graduation. I think it depends on how bonded you feel to the school and your classmates.

marriedfilingjointly · March 2011

I walked at undergrad graduation but not for grad school. It was the same kind of thing; my last class was finished in the end of June, graduation wasn't until August, work called and asked if they could move my start date from October 16th to July 22nd. I was broke, needed a new car, and couldn't wait to get the heck out of there, so I said yes and I skipped graduation. I have no regrets.

If I were you, I'd skip it, maybe do what Shelley suggested and get a hotel room if it's not too big of a hassle.

lily87 · March 2011

I walked both for undergrad and my MA. My mom would have killed me if I hadn't walked for my BA. It is a special moment for parents too. Was it life-changing? No. But, given the money and hard work it is nice to officially celebrate the accomplishments you have made.

And, I plan to walk when I finish my PhD. But, that is a little different given the time commitment involved. But, I am glad my baby will be there to see mommy get that credential.

I know you are excited to see DH, but you have your whole lives together. This event only happens once.

katiebug388 · March 2011

Thanks ladies! Exactly what I was wanting to hear, just different experiences and thoughts on graduation. I guess I should include that my parents would attend if I walked, but keep saying they're really just proud of my accomplishments, not walking across the stage. I really appreciate your different thoughts on this!

dianamcu · March 2011

I walked for my BS and MS graduation. I put so much hard work (and money) into my BS degree, plus it was expected by my family, that I walked.

For my MS, work paid for it, but I busted my butt so much that in the end, I wanted the feeling of being done. It was also cool to experience Texas A&M's graduation since Clemson (BS) and TAMU have very similar histories. I loved the traditions the Aggies have, so I am glad I went.

TheFannins729 · March 2011

nope. it wasn't even an option. there were a few thousand students at our graduation. it would have taken days. i got my diploma in the mail about 2 months later.

I could have walked at the business school "graduation" the night before, but chose not to.

jgiles · March 2011

I didn't walk due to graduating in December and couldn't walk till May. If it would of been close in time then I would have. I moved the week after I graduated.

wnk1029 · March 2011

Nope. I was student teaching at the time and at the time of graduation, I still had two weeks left before I was done, so it seemed ridiculous to celebrate this great accomplishment before it was technically accomplished.

caffinated_tulip · March 2011

I walked at my departmental ceremony. It was smaller and with all the people I knew. I didnt' do the large University wide one. But DH walked in the large university one for his MA, and I'm glad he did, it was a huge accomplishment for him.

kdsessoms · March 2011

I did not walk at the main graduation ceremony, didn't even go, because it was going to be about 3 hours long, no one was going to walk (HUGE graduating class)....and I really only knew people within my major. I did however walk at my departmental ceremony which was nice and small (English Major), and very nice for my parents who came in from out of state.

Experience of a lifetime? No not really, I did get married the next weekend, so that might have overshadowed it. If you can, then go for it, but I don't really think you'll feel terrible if you don't walk. You can have you own little party when you get your diploma in the mail (that's the best part!)

Mrs.Albie · March 2011

I did walk. Graduating college was closing a chapter of my life, and I wanted to participate in the ceremony of that, with my family and friends with me. I don't think I would necessarily feel like I missed out on anything if I didn't walk, but I didn't have any contending reason not to, like you do. I do enjoy having the pictures of the day (morning really) and looking back because I remember not just how proud my parents were, but how proud I was of myself too.

katiebug388 · March 2011

Thanks again for all the replies! In regards to family opinions, they are fine with whatever I do. They want me to do what's best for me and my family, which is now my husband, baby, and me. My parents would attend the graduation ceremony if I walked. DH's little brother is also graduating from a prep school on the same day, so he and his parents will not attend mine. My sister is actually running a marathon the day of my graduation. So it would just be me and my parents.

My graduation will be with the entire college of Human Resources at my large school, so a very big ceremony. I wish it would be a small ceremony, or more meaningful, like some of you seem to have had, because that would make me want to do it more!

eortman · March 2011

I did not walk at my college graduation. I had no desire to spend the day wading through the thousands of other graduates. I did walk at my 1st masters graduation. My mom pretty much made me. I had promised her I would do it for my masters in order to get out of going to my college graduation. I will be graduating this summer with another masters and will not be walking. This time I would like to, because I hated the whole program and would really like to celebrate finally being free, but my college is 5 hours away and not worth the extra trip.

Enami · March 2011

Neither FI nor I plan on walking our graduations. Something like that just isn't important to us.

memali26 · March 2011

I walked at mine. I feel like graduating college is an accomplishment worth celebrating. I also went to a small college and knew almost all of the other graduates, which made it more meaningful. It wasn't the "experience of a lifetime," but I worked hard to graduate with honors and it felt great to have that achievement acknowledged.

SarahSmile23 · March 2011

i didn't walk and i don't regret it. if i'd graduated from undergrad when i was younger i probably would have walked. but i was 27. i wasn't into the college scene anymore. as proud as i am that i worked my butt off to put myself to school without any debt, walking wasn't important to me.

IrishGal002 · March 2011

If you are going to have people there that support you I would absolutely say that you should. If you wont have anyone there I would think it may make you sad to see all of your peers w/ thier families. And it would be a funny story for the baby that he/she was with you when you walked across the stage at graduation. Best of luck in your decision! And CONGRATS on your upcoming accomplishment!

mishele · March 2011

First, Congratulations! That's a great accomplishment!

I walked at my graduation but like some of the pp's, it was more for my parents. I don't remember too much about that day, it was quite a while ago, but I do remember the look on my dad's face when I accepted my degree. And the speaker, Tim Russert.

tblauvelt · March 2011

I walked at my undergrad graduation only because it was a milestone worth walking to. I wanted to make my parents proud, but had I had it my way, I wouldn't have walked. It wasn't really a lifetime moment thing for me.

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