Is Walking at Graduation Really that Important?

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By Donna Reish

Ah, the sweet feeling of success that accompanies walking across the stage at graduation as you symbolically step into the next chapter of your life — there's nothing quite like it, or is there? Many new college graduates opt to skip the pomp and circumstance in favor of more fruitful endeavors, like beach vacations with their friends or a day of lounging around the apartment, embracing lethargy now that they no longer have to endure all-night cram sessions, endless exams and merciless professors. Others choose to spare no time and begin their careers immediately after school ends. But will these anti-graduation-ceremony-graduates regret it in the long run?

If you're a new graduate who's living in the moment, the answer is probably "no." Now that your childhood is almost officially over, you'd rather spend your final free moments having fun, or at the very least not sitting around for hours in frigid or burning weather, either trembling or sweating your butt off while waiting for your name to be called so that you can shake the hand of the faceless president.

But the significance of attending a graduation ceremony tends to be overlooked. It's a time-honored tradition that dates back centuries; even donning the cap and gown holds quite a bit of meaning. The cap historically symbolizes higher intelligence, though it now identifies your college and degree, while the tassel signifies academic achievement. The colors of the gown may represent your institution, which has given you the opportunity mature into an intelligent and well-rounded adult. The event is an excellent opportunity to take a couple of hours to fully reflect upon and appreciate what you've accomplished. Remember, you haven't officially left college until you've turned your tassel from right to left.

So should you attend your graduation ceremony? For many students, it comes down to one factor — their parents. Although you may not care about the importance of the moment, they certainly will. It's a rite of passage for their pride and joy, and it's a reward for their years of parenting and hard work that likely enabled you to go to college in the first place. Any potential regret that you'll feel in the future will come with knowing that you deprived your parents of such a happy occasion. Do the right thing.

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