Greetings dear ones, the person typing this is officially a university Bachelor of Arts graduate! (She's also full of pasta because she just consumed her own body weight at an Italian restuaurant because immense hunger took over). She also has some pretty hefty war wounds on her feet. She also needs to stop talking in the third person. Weirdo.
Graduation day was kind of insane, and frankly, passed way too quickly. It's all a bit of a blur and before you know it you're piling back into your car (full of Italian food) wondering where the day went and how you'll ever walk again.
From what I remember, it went a little something like this: you arrive, a tiny lady dresses you in your robes, she puts on your cap (it's really tight), you get professional photos taken (it's really awkward), you're ushered out, you explode with excitement when you see your friends, you pose for more photos (so so many photos), you leg it through the rain, you get registered, you find your seat, you sit and listen, you get called up, you concentrate on remembering what you name is and how to walk, you get given a degree (and in my case, a surprise Digital Marketing award), you sit through the rest of the ceremony, you clap (a lot), you parade out, you take more photos, you throw your cap in the air, you have some 'champagne', you say goodbye, you slip into your flat shoes and grumble about how you've never felt pain like this, you return your robes, you leave, it's over. You feel almost bereft.
But let's not dwell on how much I wish I could relive the day, here's a few fun tidbits for you:
From what I remember, it went a little something like this: you arrive, a tiny lady dresses you in your robes, she puts on your cap (it's really tight), you get professional photos taken (it's really awkward), you're ushered out, you explode with excitement when you see your friends, you pose for more photos (so so many photos), you leg it through the rain, you get registered, you find your seat, you sit and listen, you get called up, you concentrate on remembering what you name is and how to walk, you get given a degree (and in my case, a surprise Digital Marketing award), you sit through the rest of the ceremony, you clap (a lot), you parade out, you take more photos, you throw your cap in the air, you have some 'champagne', you say goodbye, you slip into your flat shoes and grumble about how you've never felt pain like this, you return your robes, you leave, it's over. You feel almost bereft.
But let's not dwell on how much I wish I could relive the day, here's a few fun tidbits for you:
Things they don't tell you about graduation that you have to learn the hard way:
1. Robes are really sodding heavy and will take any opportunity to strangle you
2. Attempting to pee whilst wearing said robes is a Herculean task
3. You don't suit hats
4. The ceremony is actually really long and you're clapping the success of people you've never heard of
5. Everyone else will give in an wear flats while walking across the stage. You'll realise too late.
6. It's actually quite stressful
7. You will want to cut your own feet off at the end of the day
8. You'll feel really emotional when they play a showreel of life at the university
9. Hosting a ceremony when there's a gale force storm going on is not ideal #StormBarney
10. It'll remind you how much you miss spending everyday with your best friends
11. You'll be too nervous to eat, but once the scary part is over, you'll be so ravenous you can barely stand
12. You have no idea whose hand you're shaking
13. You'll be forced to wear Ugg boots to the office the next day because that's all your feet can manage
And finally: 14. It'll be a day you will never ever forget.
~ Eleanor xo
