10 things to know about Graduation

Wednesday 27-06-2018 - 17:33

 

Graduation is one of the biggest days of your life (so far, at least). 

Your final, lasting memory of MDX, flouncing in a gown with friends - a source of pride in the teary eyes of parents, tutor and peers. 

 

What no one mentions is that

...alongside the celebrations - your graduation day involves LONG HOURS, fussing with your mortarboard, blinded by flash photography and crying proud faces. 

But don't let that put you off... to help you get graduation-ready, here’s MDXSU's hyped-down version of what to expect. 

 

1. Everyone will get a bit snappy-happy

Your dad haphazardly pointing his new iPad at you, or mum embarrassingly shepparding your friends for a group photo - even the professionals complain because you're holding your scroll wrong đź™„

 

Make the most out of being the centre of attention! In years to come, you’ll be glad to even get an out of focus photos as evidence of this historic occasion.

 

2. Prepare for mortarboard hair and misbehaving robes

There's a reason graduating students look so joyful when chucking their mortarboard hats into the air...

 

TOP TIP: Bring pins, grips, or, if you want to avoid damaging your clothes (while getting a little souvenir in the process), magnet buttons (or magnetars) are an ideal solution.

 

Also, prepare to do battle with your gown and hood - it's surprisingly tricky to keep in place, and with the aforementioned paparazzi snapping your every move, you don't want it ruining your perfectly executed outfit.

 

3. Remember to hydrate

In between registering, getting robed up, and chilling at MDX House, your ceremony will take place in a big, fancy marquee, before you head into the Quad for some refreshments.

 

With the July sunshine beating down on your gown-clad self, surrounded by hundreds of other soon-to-be graduates, things can get a bit warm... Just be glad it isn't raining.

 

4. Get through the stage fright

It's not easy taking to the stage in front of an audience. You’ll doubt your ability to put one foot in front of the other, or how convincingly you can pull off an unaffected, easy grin when you feel anything but chill.

 

If you can write a 10,000-word dissertation - you can own ten seconds on a stage.

 

Even if you’ve decided to wear six-inch heels (revision notes: styling out a fall gracefully Ă  la Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars).

 

5. Your parents will probably be more excited than you - humor them

You’re mainly excited to be free of constant assignments and obligatory dissertation meetings. 

 

Your parents, on the other hand, are envisioning those new letters adjacent to the family name, basking in the opportunity to brag about your wonderful graduate self.

They've supported you through this - grant them a free pass to be embarassing for a while.

 

6. It's not just about the ceremony

Amp up the celebrations at the Graduation Party!

 

If there's one thing that will keep you going as you wrestle with your robe on a hot, July morning, it's the thought of dressing up and struting your stuff for your final party as a student!

 

Get the MDX Squad together and celebrate all your achievements. 

 

Click here for more information or to purchase your ticket online - including a free welcome drink!

 

7. Don't forget to get the t-shirt!

Been there, done that, got the commemorative pen. You wouldn't go on holiday without picking up a souvenir, so don't leave Univeristy without one either.

 

You can purchase official Middlesex University merchandise in the Quad throughout graduation week - from clothing to teddy bears. Flick through the merchandise catalogue here.

 

You can also purchase fairtrade 'Class of 2018' hoodies featuring the names of you and your coursemates on the reverse. 

 

8. Pass on the baton 

What would you have say to your first year self? 

 

Leave a message to new students at the MDXSU clothing line, where you can snap away and write down some solid advice to any nervous first year student. 

 

9. The ceremony is pretty surreal

Chances are you haven't experienced a graduation ceremony before, so here's the deal.

 

1. First, you'll watch a procession of University big names file past, heralded by a fanfare - dressed in fancier robes than you - feeling like everything's gone a bit Hogwarts. 

 

2. You'll do a fair bit of sitting, and quite lot of applauding - quite often for people you don't know - and will hear inspiring speeches reflecting on how incredible you all are, and inspire you with motivational speeches about your “hopes and dreams."

 

3. And then - back to the real world for free macaroons and a glass of bubbles.

 

10. Enjoy yourself!

Try not to stress the little details. You’ve already done all of the hard work, and now it's time for a little recognition. Whatever you wear, however many photos you take, however sunny or not it may be, the main thing is you're graduating, and you should feel incredibly proud.

 

As your Students' Union, we can't wait to see what you will achieve as a bright new graduate out there in the world...

 .... We're just kidding

We wish you all the best in pursuing your passions and plans. May the odds be ever in your favour

 

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