The cost of Graduation

After my own experience of graduating yesterday still echoing through my innermost feelings (as well as my aching legs from wearing heels), I realised the process of graduation is worth of a class all of its own!

So this blog post will give you the information I had on my graduation and I hope it helps some of you too.

Tickets are generally very limited.  At both of my graduations we were able to purchase 2 tickets each initially. They were £20 each.  After all pairs are allocated, there may be a chance to purchase more on a first come, first served basis. Be quick as they will possibly sell out fast.

Gown hire You can hire or buy. Personally I see no point in buying it.  What  a load of hassle and wardrobe space and often the attire will change through your academic career.  I paid £45 for my hire from Ede and Ravenscroft who are very professional.  There is often a queue and usually you will be helped into your gown directly after collecting your tickets.  Gowns differ depending on which award you are collecting and you can select the options online before hand. I have seen some graduates in a panic as they forgot but were able to do this on the day. Personally, I would recommend getting as organised as possible before.
Little note: The academics who are part of the procession are dressed in different gowns as they wear the gown of choice from the University in which they graduated with the Phd.

Photography isn't usually something you need to organise before the day. They will take official photos right after Gowning up.  You can often buy these online after the day. Also there is usually a ceremony photo taken of the handshake and a group photo of the whole of the academics directly after the ceremony.

DVD and USBs were available at my graduation of the entire ceremony. These were £20. I asked my guests to film the procession and me getting my award. I'm not sure if I would dust off a USB and watch it over and over.

Reception drinks and sometimes some nibbles are ordered for all of those not VIP.  We found that other guests could join us here too.  My opinion is that often these receptions could be far more jazzed up BUT it's a great place to get to chat to your lecturers, take photos, do some very important networking (this is what happened to me) and get that important "Mortar board throwing" photo with your class mates.  My advice here would be to get any academic group photos of your class after the group photo of the faculty.  If you leave it until you leave and get to the reception you will all disperse and this might not get to happen.  This is what happened in my case and it is sad but it is what it is. Our day saw 34 degree heat and we were all struggling with heavy heart beats and massive perspiration and many got the gown off as soon as they could.

This is a good place to give out thank you cards and any gifts.

After party organisation is up to you.  For me, this was an important part of the day but I took some quiet family time to goto Pizza Express for our lunch and to  cool down in the air con. We only had a short time there but it was nice.  Of course all of this is optional here but I then went to my party I had organised with an incredible cake (£60), DJ (around £200 usually) and room hire of £100.  If you want to get together as a class and sort this all out you could split the cost.  The day is exhausting and I totally understand why people want to shoot right after the reception. That said, I do think it was nice to have a dance, but that's me.

Beauty Treatments beforehand were important for me so I went off and got my nails and feet done.  The way I see it is there was going to be a photo knocking around forever, likely longer than my wedding photos so it was important to look nice.
Hands: £20
Feet: £35

Other than that there was a few rounds of drinks and a taxi home for £20.  Travel is a cost which will vary so much as many families travel a long way and need to stay in local accommodation etc.

These are my costs but please don't compare as yours will be different.
Tickets                  £60
Gown                    £45
Photos                   £200
DVD                     £20
Lunch                   £55
After party           £290
Taxi                      £20
Total                    £690

It's worth keeping back a little of the last student loan piece of money you will get and put aside for this occasion. Also at this stage, bear in mind you might need to pay for registration to an accredited body or any association costs.

Graduation day!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS!

The day has arrived to graduate with my BSc Hons in Human nutrition.  A science degree.  Wow.  This is massive and I am so proud of myself.

Waking up at 4am feeling flutters in my heart of possible anxiety, nerves, excitement; I wasn't sure.  Yet I do know I need to stop the worry. I know that for me, this is a time of life when I can begin to step into my plumage - this is my time.

Now is the time for me to realise that i was awarded yesterday for being the "Most popular Student".
This was huge for me you see as this is the girl who was bullied at school and hated school.  I was so badly bullied that to this day, it has stayed with me.  My anxieties and depression have almost stopped me in my tracks, stopped me from living the life I want to live and deserve. This person is me and the me I know is someone who loves to be an achiever.

Ok, so I am not graduating with  a first class honours degree.  But heck, this journey has been some incredible ride. And I could have quit time and time again.  But here I am, after 4 years of tough study and I am about to wear my mortar board and gown and receive a handshake.

I'm proud of myself.

My year ZERO graduation three years ago.

It's 6;40am and the house is about to wake and we will all get ready for the day.  Dressing up as if going to a wedding....

They are all awake, chatting to me in between me writing a few words, my crohns is acting up a lot and it's time for me to sign off this blog post. I was super excited to sit pouring my heart out onto this blog post but I will simply have to report back later on after we have enjoyed the day.

I hope people come to my party...