Graduation day – The most important event in the life of a student

There are a two main phases in the life of any person. The first is the academic phase of a person’s life where he learns all the important lessons and aspects he will need to continue that throughout his life and the second phase is his professional career where he will apply all the things he learnt in the previous phase of his life. There are many significant events that take place in his life however the most important of those days is the graduation day. That day denotes that he has successfully completed the educational phase of his life and is the stepping stone to the next phase that is the professional life. Everything about that day has a lot of sentimental value.

The convocation event is so important and so significant in the life of the student that there is a whole set of regalia that are associated to it. Graduation caps and gowns are amongst one of the many popular sets of regalia and are almost common everywhere in the world. Gowns are usually knee length robes that the student has to wear over his clothing and a cap is included with it. The dress code is not fixed though usually the individual has to be formally dressed with a proper shirt and dress pant.

The purpose of this convocation is to honor those individuals that have been part of the educational institution since their childhood and even those that have been part of that institution for even a little time. It honors those individuals that have successfully been able to complete their education and the institution considers them now able to move on to bigger and better things. Those students that have been part of any honored society or earned any academic or any non-academic achievements throughout their time in that school or university are honored with graduation cords that are 60 inch cords with 5 inch tassels in the end and are worn around the neck and represent some kind of achievement that has been earned by that student. These cords come in a number of different colors and each color represents something different such as the color black is used by some honor societies to honor their members that are passing out. On the same graduation day, each individual is individually called out by the dean of the college or university and is handed out his degree as well which is a certificate of his completion of that phase of life.

Not only is it an emotional day for the parents who see the success of their child but more so for the individual himself who has to say goodbye to a lot of his old friends and his teachers and the school itself from which each student develops an emotional connection. It becomes a second home for him. Hence, we can see how the day of convocation is the most important day in the life of an individual.

Dressing up on Graduation Day

There are many important moments in the life of a student such as the moments when he receives his result card to see that he has been promoted to a new class, or to win some kind of award in either an academic or non-academic event. However the most important event of all those is the day of graduation. This day marks the end of the educational phase of one’s life (if it’s a university convocation) and is the beginning of the next phase of his life, that is, his professional life begins after he graduates from his institute. This is not only an important event for the learner himself who will have to bid farewell to some of his oldest friends, loved and respected teachers and the school itself which becomes a second home for him but also for the parents who have watched their child grow and mature into a self-sufficient person.  Hence we can now see that the final ceremony is a very important event and therefore students should look to dress in the best of ways they can.

There are certain aspects of the convocation dress that are fixed for ceremonies that are held all around the world. The most basic things are the graduation caps and gowns. These gowns and caps are the most common things between the graduation ceremonies that are held in universities around the globe. The gowns are knee length robes, the length of which is usually knee long and the color is dependent on the institute itself, so is the length of sleeves, while some ceremonies have full sleeved robes and other might have sleeveless robes. Then there is the hat which is a squared top one for almost all ceremonies. This hat also has an importance which comes into play in the latter stages of the event, and is one of the most famous graduation day acts. At the end of the event, when all has been done, all the graduated students take their hats and throw them high in the air, as a gesture of happiness that they have cleared an important stage of life. Another important part of the dress that is given out to some students during the function is the graduation cords. The honor cords are different colored cords that have tassels in the end of them that are given to honored members of some honored societies of the universities.

Then there are things that an individual should wear under the robes. Usually institutes specify a dress code that includes a pant and a shirt and sometimes a tie. Even if no dress code is mentioned, one should try to look as elegant as possible as it is a very big occasion for him. Boys could wear a nice black suit with a matching tie or bow while girls can choose to wear long skirts.

Since the last function is a big event for any individual, it is imperative that they dress up for that day in the best of ways.

The important day of Graduation

There are a number of ceremonies that are common all around the world. Those include weddings, funerals and birthdays. However amongst them, one of the most important is the day of graduation. This day is one which shows that the student is now capable enough to step into his professional life. Anyone who graduates is someone who has been deemed by the university as knowledgeable and worthy enough to be employed by someone. It is a stepping stone towards the next phase of life and the day when the student has to say goodbye to the previous phase. The day of convocation can rightly be called an event of mixed emotions, where on one hand, the student is feeling happy to have succeeded in stage of life but also may feel sad on the grounds that he will have to soon bid farewell to some of his loved ones.

Final ceremonies as mentioned earlier are held all over the world however there are slight differences in some countries. The main of those differences are in the regalia of that particular event. The dress code of convocation day is mainly graduation caps and gowns that are specially made for that day. The gown is a robe that is usually knee length however the length may differ from college to college, so may the lengths of the sleeves which can vary from being either sleeveless or full sleeved.  Also there is a convocation hat that is necessary to be worn. There is a ceremony related to the hats as well which is perhaps one of the most famous parts of the student’s final event, and that is the hat throwing part which denotes celebration of the students’ success. Another part of the dress may include graduation cords that are given to students of some societies or individuals who has achieved something as well and those cords are given to honor them.

Now we will discuss about the event itself. The whole function consists of inviting not only the individuals that will graduate from the university that day but also their parents who would be really proud of their children for completing that phase of life successfully. It also consists of speeches that are given by important members of the faculty to praise their students. In most institutions, the high achievers of that college or university may also be asked to give out a speech which explains their own experiences and drives towards their goals and achievements. Sometimes a guest speaker is also invited to give inspirational speeches to the individuals and give them advice about the life ahead. Then there is the part where the dean of the college or university calls out each graduating person separately and giving them their degree that certifies that they have successfully completed their education from that institute, and that institute deems them able enough to move on to the next phase of their lives.

Hence we can see why this moment is so important in the life of any graduating person.

The role of graduation day in a student’s life

As the much awaited graduation day approaches nearer and the anticipation of finally leaving school builds up, everyone automatically starts to recall all the great experiences they lived through be it school, college or university life. We start to realize how many things we have accomplished over the years in our degree and how many things were left on loose ends. Nevertheless it is still one occasion every student wants to prepare for and plan it to be perfect. The reason behind this preparation is that everyone feels they have reached a milestone and a major chapter of life is about to end. So on this special day, every individual wants to work hard and prepare, and one of the sole things people tend to focus on is the uniform for the event.

Your graduation caps and gowns is one that needs to be worked on for this day. This is the required attire for every convocation at any college and may differ in color between different institutions. It is vital to remember that your attire is a symbol of your success and hard work and if chosen and worn correctly, can actually reflect your glory at the occasion. Therefore it is important to choose the right one when you are renting it or buying it. Renting your uniform is a recommended because convocation attire is often expensive for a one time wear. However, if you are a collector then buying it is a better option. So when you are getting, make sure you measure the size according to your need and see that all the accessories are complete like cap tassel, hoods and especially your graduation cords. The accessory will naturally depend on the nature of your graduation and cords are extras that your institute will ask you to wear if you have a distinction or honor in your subject or any other activity.

Secondly it is also important to decide what you wear under your attire. Once the ceremony ends, often people take of their attire while socializing with people. The outfit you wear then will create an impression and that’s why it is recommended that graduates wear a formal outfit underneath (pants and shirt for men and dresses for women). Moreover, once you have your attire, make you practice wearing it once before the event. This is an important step because you will need to know how to wear a tassel on your cap or how the cord should go around the neck and that if your outfit underneath matches your uniform. Another reminder is to iron your clothes as well as your gown/ cap and make sure it is not wrinkled in anyway. Remember not to put your iron too high while ironing the uniform because it is usually made from fabrics that get distorted at higher temperatures.

Last but not the least, you should keep in mind that convocation day is one that marks a beginning to your future goals and one should make it as memorable as possible.

Thinking about the most important part of your convocation day-Graduation gowns

Graduation is often regarded as one of the most prestigious events in any school, college and university. It is an event that holds a great importance in the heart of every student because it marks the end of their journey in their respected field of education and moreover, marks a beginning of a new chapter of life where individuals take on several responsibilities and pursue adequate choices for their future. It has been a traditional practice in schools around the globe in many cultures for several years because it is a celebration of all the milestones the students have strived towards achieving during their education.

On this occasion, all individuals wear graduation caps and gowns which signify many things, one of which is the honor of academic excellence. Individuals at preliminary stages take adequate measures to make sure they display their attire in the best possible way that reflects its true meaning and essence. The cap is a symbol of excellence and knowledge that a student wears on their heads showing that they have accomplished the level of education at the given stage. One very important accessory of the attire is the tassel that hangs from the cap. This tassel is usually required to hang on the right side of the cap and at college/university level, this comes in different colors each associated with the respected degree in which the individual is graduating. At higher levels, a special golden tassel is worn by those achieving a doctorate in any subject.

Another important aspect of the convocation attire is the graduation cords that grads wear around their necks. Originally not parts of the ceremony, cords have now become an integral part of the uniform at the event and primarily exist to distinguish a major from a minor. Different colored cords represent different subjects like science and arts etc. Honor cords are bestowed upon students who have achieved some sort of distinction or honor, based on merit or otherwise, in their respected field.

Graduation speech is also a very important part of the ceremony. This is where a few selected students from the student body come up and share their experiences and thoughts in a manner of a speech. The individuals chosen to speak are handpicked by the institute itself on the basis of their merit, achievements or simply their commonality with their fellow peers. During these speeches such individual share their future plans and try to motivate and inspire the listeners by giving them their aspects on shared experiences on their life while doing the degree.

The last but not the least, the “graduate walk” and ‘the last hurrah’ are two things that mark a memorable moment in the ceremony. This is where all the grads walk up to the stage when their names are called and go collect their certificate of leaving and get their photo taken with the presenter. After this, the institute bids its last official goodbye to the class and thanks them; this is where all the students throw their caps in the air as a gesture of celebration.

Graduation gowns-why are they so much important for a student

Probably one of the most anticipated events of one’s school or college life is the graduation ceremony. This is the occasion that marks the end of the journey for every student in the institution of education. However, there are those who feel differently about it and take this as a beginning to a new life. Graduation is for many students, a milestone of what they have achieved so far in their school/college life. This prestigious occasion calls for a moment of pride and honor and often even parents and relatives feel strong about the achievement of their wards.

Every student dreams of passing out from his institution someday and when this visionary moment arrives, it signifies more than just an event. It signifies future hopes, dreams, past achievements, hardships overcome, and joys of the life.  At a convocation ceremony, there are many traditions that are carried out that reflect the spirit of the occasion. All the students here are required to wear uniform colored gowns with accessories, each that holds a meaning to the essence of the event. Graduation caps and gowns, that often in color depending on the school, show a strong standing and recognition of the student accomplishing the educational landmark. The cap from which a multicolored tassel hangs is an important part of the attire. The tassel is usually black and differs in color depending on the subject the person is passing in. However, at high school level the color of tassel is often in primary or the school color.

Another important aspect of the attire is the graduation cords that are worn around the neck and also differ in color, each signifying its own meaning. The cords are made up of twisted strings tied together and reflect the fact that the individual has attained an academic distinction or honor in a subject and hence every different colored ones are affiliated with different accomplishments. Moreover, students spend a lot of time preparing for such a ceremony. The school, college or university generally picks selected candidates who are required to speak or give a graduation speech at the ceremony. These speeches are compilations of experiences and future plans of the individual that aspire to usually motivate their fellow mates and create a light minded atmosphere at the event. The students selected to speak are chosen on merit or on the basis that they represent or are popular amongst the average student body.

At the day of the graduation, there is a wave of anticipation is where. Everyone wonders where they are headed now that this chapter of life has finally come to an end. However, people tend to save their worries for another day because convocation is where they all unite in one place for one purpose only, to celebrate the marking of a new event. That’s why at this event, students are treated with light food and sweet delights. After the function, the school is generally obliged to hold a farewell party for everybody which is a mixture of music, dance and food.

Graduation, The big day!

Graduation is a one of the most eventful and memorable days of every individual’s life. This day comes after hard work from students, teachers and parents.  On this day, students are awarded with degrees. Convocation day is followed with an opening speech from school, college or university staff along with the introduction to students and awarding them degree. This event is considered as the most important memory of any student’s life and also highlights the efforts of teachers who devoted efforts and stood by their students in achieving this result.

Candidates wear special attire on convocation ceremony. The attire includes graduation caps and gowns and graduation cords. Each part of the attire signifies its especial importance. These parts of the attire hold a significant importance and symbolize the importance of the day. On the ceremony day, candidates are required to walk down the aisle to their respective seats wearing the gowns, hoods and caps. This adds to feeling of pride and confidence in every individual’s life. It also highlights that one chapter of studies have been completed with honor and now it’s time to move on to the next stage in life. The attire also boosts up confidence of every passing graduate and builds up respect in the eyes of the audience.

The history of educational attire is an old tradition. The dress is influenced by the robes worn by the clerics in the old times. The color of the attire was used to symbolize the rank in the old times but today it highlights the level of grade being enrolled in. The educational robes in the old times were decorated with golden lace and button. Today the whole attire is modified. Gowns are usually black in color with blue or red color laces around them. The hood and caps are black in color with ribbon on the side. Individuals passing the grades with distinguished remarks wear laces of different colors like golden for high achievers and silver for the one level below.

The tradition of wearing academic dress on this event was started in Europe. The universities in Europe in the 12th century were required to hold record of students enrolled and degrees awarded. This led to a record system of every candidate in the university. The employees in the university wore robes and hoods, and later, a more modernized dress in the form of regalia was designed.  Now the academic dress is a common apparel for individual’s graduation from school, college or university. This dress is worn by candidates graduating from school to the doctorial candidates in different colors and styles. Honor cords are awarded to those individuals who excel in exams with excellent grades.

Many companies design such outfits for school going individuals. Many online websites offer the service of providing the uniform and accessories according to the size and requirement of the customers. These websites offer products for elementary institute, college and professional institutes. Along with the apparels medals, diploma covers and gifts packages are also offered on these website.

Graduation Apparel

The history of graduation apparel also known as academic dress traces its roots from the 12th century. In Europe back in the 12th century, the staff members in universities and colleges used to wear gowns and robes to keep themselves warm. Later over passing years, the apparel became a form of traditional dress to be worn on the convocation day. This day is considered as the most important day in every student’s life. It highlights the importance of passing one chapter of life and moving on the other chapter. It is the start of new employment or enrolling oneself for another degree. Candidates who pass their exams with distinctions wear the robes of different colors and graduation cords to mark the honor.

The academic dress consists of graduation caps and gowns along with cords. There are different types of uniforms depending upon three types of degrees awarded to the graduates. Bachelors uniform, masters uniform and Doctoral uniform. Each outfit has its own unique design making it distinctive from other. The Bachelor’s robes have pointed sleeves and are tightly closed once worn. The Master’s robes have oblong sleeves that are opened at the wrist. These robes can be worn opened or closed and can be tied up with the fasteners attached on each robe. Doctoral robes have sleeves that are bell shaped and have velvet panels in front. The color of all outfits is usually black. The dress also includes Hood which are usually black in color are made from the fabric of the regalia. The doctoral hood is wider where as hoods for Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees vary in length. The caps are black in color and have four pointed sides. It has a tassel at the side and a button on the top. The Honor Cord consists of cords with tassels and is awarded to students with extra achievements. It usually comes in pairs and consists of a knot in the middle. These are also used to distinguish between students major and minor each having its own color. The color represents the field of study.

Every passing individual’s performance is evaluated on the basis of Grade point Average (GPA) which is out of four. Those having excellent GPA like 3.8 and 3.9 wear different color hoods, robes and cords and are also given awards on the graduation day. The valedictorian is a graduate passing exams with good marks. The valedictorian on the convocation day is required to make a speech highlighting the efforts and hard work of both the students and the faculty of the university. Speeches are made by faculty members of the institute on the degree day. Highlighting the performance of candidates, the hard work of faculty members and thanking the parents of the students are some of the constituents of the speech.

Convocation dress is worn by graduates passing school, college or even university. It brings in great pride to every passing individual to move on the next stage in life whether its employment or enrolling for another degree.

A closer look at graduation dressing

A graduation ceremony is an event which is usually held for the graduating class after finishing a study course. It is one of the most important functions and is quite important for the students. Unlike other events, these ceremonies often require a special attire which every student needs to wear in the graduating batch. It was first implemented in the early universities but today these graduation caps and gowns are used in schools and preschools as well as a part of their educational functions. Different institutions have different rules and some of these require the students to purchase their own robes according to the specifications laid down by the institute. However, a lot of these institutions provide them with the attire so that everyone wears the exact same outfit and hence, represents the institution. Usually, in school graduations, the pupils are not required to wear specific colours and they can wear whatever colour and style that they like as it is more of an enjoying event rather than a serious function.

Different levels of educations require different attires and you will often find that the outfit is a bit different for different levels of education. High school and preschool are likely to have different attires and bachelor’s level and master’s level students are also likely to have different caps and gowns. There are also several accessories which are used in graduations such as tassels, graduation cords and sashes.

There are instances when the school doesn’t provide you with the robes and you need to buy the specific robes in these situations. However, the primary thing that you need to keep in mind is the specification put by the institution and you should only opt for that particular design and colour or else you’ll look different from what other students wear. Prices are quite high when you need to purchase these gowns and accessories and as this is a pretty special event. However, the prices vary from the styles and the type of academic function. People who have completed their PhDs. will need to purchase a more formal outfit and the price will be quite high. A Masters or a Bachelors level outfit would be a bit cheaper. Similarly, high school and preschool robe are even cheaper than university level robes. Therefore, you need to create a budget depending on the level of study.

There are two major types of regalia available when you need to purchase these. One of these are the classic gowns and caps which are on display and the others are custom made outfits which are made according to your preference and your body measurements in order to get you the most comfortable regalia. Custom stuffs are usually a lot more expensive but these are quite comfortable and for this once in a life time event, you should definitely go for it. Also, there are certain packages and deals available when you need to buy the convocation attire. A plain cap would cost you a lot more then getting it in a deal with the regalia and with other accessories.

All about graduation ceremonies

Graduation is an event of honour and prestige not only for the graduate but also for the parents, friends and other family members. Basically, when an individual graduates, he/she steps into a new world with more challenges and graduation marks the beginning of this new world and a new career. It means that a person has studied for a specific course and now he/she is qualified enough to go further ahead in the field. However, for some, academic ceremonies are needed to mark the maturity of an individual and these are usually high school graduations where the students leave their schools in order to study at a university and hence, live on their own in a mature life.

College convocations are also regarded as the end of a university session. However, this will only seem so if you look at it this way. Convocations are events to remember and you should enjoy it as you are being appreciated for the achievements that you accomplished. This is what many people don’t understand and they end up upset at the end of the ceremony. After attending your formal academic function, you will feel honoured as this would be the primary way of remembering your friends and the institution by taking several pictures.

For a graduate, who is attending the function for the first time, the ceremony is probably the biggest day in his/her life. Most of these people feel that they have now turned into adults and they try to handle as much responsibility as they can. It contributes to their mental well-being as they feel that they are now ready for an even brighter future. Some might think that this may be an event that ends the study level and is an event which marks the beginning of a new life where the individual is totally free from the responsibly of life. However, this is not the case and after university graduations, some of the people are done with their studies but they have to face a tougher life which involves earning money for a decent living.

Different institutions have different rules and regulations and there is a different style of graduation in these institutions as some require formal appearances while others promote a more casual look. Universities like Harvard and Oxford were the first to adapt this particular event. They had formal events where the graduate had to wear formal graduation caps and gowns in order to attend the event. Graduation cords and tassels were also used later on and this attire style was adapted by a lot of newer universities and colleges. Back then, graduation was only an event of appreciating the efforts of the graduate by organizing an event for them. Today, schools, preschools and high schools also organize these ceremonies. These are not that important as university events but they certainly motivate the pupils in order to work harder in the future in their respected institutions. Preschools also came up with this idea and it is considered as a fun event rather than a formal event.

Different types of educational ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies are probably one of the most important events of an institution and are organized in most of the institutions. These events have been organized since several years and these were offered only by the top universities back then. The University of Cambridge and Brown University were some of the first universities to offer this particular event. However, things changed and other institutes adapted this resulting in every college offering a graduation ceremony. It is more of a tradition and it needs to be done in order to end the journey of the students. Schools have also adapted this way of praising and thanking the students and wishing them luck, however, college and school events are a bit different. The dressing is quite similar as you need to wear graduation caps and gowns in, both, schools and universities. Also accessories like graduation cords are needed. Another similarity is the event speech which is given by an individual in the final batch. Basically, an individual gives a short speech representing his/her last batch and wishing the batch luck for their futures.

Graduation in Universities

This is probably the most common academic event as these ceremonies were the first ones. Different universities have different ways of organizing such ceremonies but these are quite similar. You will often find that the color of the attire in most of the universities is either black or dark blue. University graduations are a bit more important as these mark the end of the studying journey of an individual and mark the start of a new career which involves an entry into the practical world. Therefore, such events mean that the particular day is the last day of the pupil in the specific institute. Several awards are given on this day for top achievers and people who have been outstanding in other parts of the institution.

Convocations in High schools

These are also quite important but high school convocations are not that old and have been implemented in recent years, which is why not all high schools organize this event. High school convocations, basically, give the individuals a taste of what they can expect in the future and how they will have to attend formal events in their colleges. These are organized in order to mark the success and the achievements of the students. Also, parents are often invited so that they can share the moment with their children. High school convocations also mean a farewell for several pupils and it is basically an end of friendship for many old friends as different students will go to different countries for their education. This, however, does not mean that you should stay sad at the event and you should rather enjoy this moment with your friends and family.

Graduation for preschools

Preschools have also adapted this occasion and most of these preschools organize this event in order to reward the students by offering a day of fun. Preschool graduations are solely organized for fun and entertainment and for the students in order to recognize their hard work. Usually parents are invited so that they can support their children.

Graduation ceremonies

Graduation is an event where the graduates and their family have mixed emotions. It is an event where all the students and the graduates are looking similar and representing their institute by wearing graduation caps and gowns and various other accessories such as graduation cords and tassels. It is an event to mark the achievement of the individuals and to wish them luck to go further in life. For some people, an academic ceremony is a reward for their accomplishments and achievements. It is basically an event which marks the beginning of a new career. However, for several other graduating students, this is an event of sadness which marks the end of a beautiful journey.

A lot of people feel honoured and respected as this occasion is for the students themselves and this makes them happy. They are recognized for their hard work and efforts in this particular event and they are motivated to face even greater challenges ahead in life. Therefore, this day is a reward for all the hard work and it should be fully enjoyed. However, the people who regard this as an emotional day usually end up sad and upset in the occasion. These people will miss their institutions and will miss all the friends which will be lost after the function. This day also marks the last gathering of many student groups as some of these graduates may go abroad or some of them might get busy with their lives. Therefore, this is the last day where all the students in the graduating class are seen together.

Tears and emotions are common at convocation and in order to change this into a happy moment, you can use certain famous quotes and sayings. This might help the individuals to feel a bit better. Quotes regarding a better life and further accomplishments might actually motivate the students to work even harder in life and they may feel that this particular ceremony is just the start of their new life. Giving titles and recognition cards is another way of making the pupils feel better as they need some sort of motivation in order to avoid the emotions and the negativity in the ceremony.

Another important thing in an academic function is the family and how they support their children. They need motivation and parents are ideal in order to help them get through this. The parents need to encourage the children so that they can work harder and can go further ahead in life. While attending this ceremony, the parents should talk to their children in order for them to share the feelings and to feel better. You shouldn’t wait till the end as the sadness is most likely to occur during the particular event. In order to make the students feel better, you should respect their achievements and should be proud of them by praising them. This way, they will feel better and will get ready for the challenges in the near future. Wearing suitable gowns and cords can also help them boost their confident more than ever.

How to select the best attire for pre-school graduation

Graduation is probably one of the most important events in an individual’s life. It is an honour and an achievement made by the individual which is why this is also an emotional event. This is one of those events which are remembered by the individual for the rest of his/her life. Therefore, you need to look good in a graduation event and even though the dress code is the same for all the graduates, there are some ways in which you can look better using the traditional graduation caps and gowns. These are the formal attire for the event and there are certain ways in which you can get the best possible outfits. Graduation cords, tassels and sashes are also included in this particular attire. The attire is usually given to the students by the university; however, a preschool function requires the student to buy his/her own attire according to his/her preferences.

One of the things that you need to keep in mind is that you should only go for a decent shop or tailor. Most of the casual and small shops are usually less reliable and if anything goes wrong. They will not fix it for you especially when the graduation ceremony is close by. Therefore, you should only go for bigger and well-known shops even if they charge a higher price as they are reliable and they offer replacements for anything that goes wrong.

You should try custom outfits instead of ready-made as they are better in fitting. A decent tailor is likely to make the regalia according to your preference and they take measurements of the individual in order to design the best possible robe. These are a bit more expensive but are worth the money as these are a lot more comfortable than ready-made gowns.

To get a robe with the best design and colours, you should check out the various types of regalia available at the shop. They have different patterns, colours and designs and you should try out various designs. These, however, might not be that comfortable as these are not custom made attires. There is another option which you can use in order to get the specific design with comfort. You can ask the tailor to include various designs which are present in these ready-made outfits. This will get you the best fitting and the shape.

Lastly and most importantly, the preferences of the children should be made the top priority when buying graduation attire. Preschool convocations are casual events and are regarded as fun occasion rather than emotional events. Therefore, you need to make sure that the children get what they prefer. The colour and the design should be decided by the kids and even if you don’t like it and feel that it looks weird, then also you shouldn’t interfere as this is a fun event for kids and they should be able to make their own choices in their graduation. Therefore, the kids should be involved in gett

Decisions! Decisions and Graduations

For students, school is among those formative years. In school, not only does one obtain knowledge but also necessary life skills. No knowledge is wasted. At one point or another one will need to call upon the life skills that he or she or one gets in school. When graduating, in particular, some of the life skills learnt will come into play. Being a savvy decision maker is one of them. While nobody will teach you how to be one, it should be clear that you have to cultivate this skill. One of the important choices that one has to make is regarding graduation regalia and graduation cords.

While it may seem a relatively simple process, selecting graduation caps and gowns can be a nightmare in disguise. If for some reason, you are indecisive, then, prepare for a time of misery and torment. Not preparing well will make you rue the day you did not choose wisely. Discretion on this small but important aspect is valued. If you cannot make a decision then it is advisable for you consult somebody who has gone through it before. They may have some crucial nugget of information; where to get the best deals, how to choose the best store and so much more. Your friend might even have a gown for you to borrow. It is all up to you.

One important aspect of selecting suitable gear for the convocation ceremony is the level of comfort. You should select a fitting garment; loose garments are quite unflattering and quite hard to move in. Now as far as the level of comfort is concerned, then one should also look at the quality of material. This is very important and should not be overlooked. If you are going to buy academic attire then buy a high quality material. You can leave it like a family heirloom if you like.

While it is a good idea to buy your convocation apparel, explore other options available to you. This should come after evaluating the costs. Buying the apparel might be very expensive. Considering that you will use the garment once, it may not be a wise investment at first. Plus it will take up a lot of closet space. Renting the garment is an option that takes care of a certain problems. One of them is that it takes care of the cost. It is far cheaper to rent a gown than to buy one. It also takes care of the closet space bit. When choosing whether to buy or to rent, weigh what is more beneficial and appealing to you.

Decision making extends to when renting. One should explore all the options available. Online stores have discounts that they give to students who shop there. Now considering that proceed to select a store. Always ensure you read the policies for renting in detail to avoid unnecessary hassles when returning the coats.

Similarly, cords are also an important part of academic dresses and these should also be selected carefully.

A Lay man’s guide on the basics of selecting convocation gowns

Convocation or graduations as they are mostly called are a very important celebration. They usually mark the culmination of excellence in a field of study. After one spends years working either in high school or college, graduation is the celebration of the blood sweat and tears that goes through. Trials and tribulations abound as far the entire education system. Convocation is celebration of surmounting adversity and taking the bull by the horns. The graduation caps and gowns and graduation cords are characteristic of this occasion. However, the entire selection process is a very difficult and painstaking process. For students, it’s their first time buying or renting the garments. Along the way, they may end up making very terrible mistakes.

However, by having a guide to the entire selection process it will be easier. You will be lucky to find somebody who will give the necessary advice about shopping for convocation garments. However, since one might not have somebody to advice them, this article is for this purpose. Its intended purpose is to magnify the basics one should be familiar with when selecting the garments. Have in mind that there may be other factor that one should consider when shopping around.

To buy or not to buy that is the question. Most people would opt to buy the garments. It is important for them to own a piece of history; something to show their grandkids and great grandkids. While it is an admirable act to do so, one should not overlook the overall cost of the entire graduation regalia. Would history justify buying something that you will only wear once? Does it justify incurring the cost? Weighing these factors is important in ensuring that you make the proper decision. Please note: if you can afford to buy the attire by all means do so. However, if you want to save on expenses then renting is a viable option.

Renting attire doesn’t necessarily mean that you are cheap. Rentals are equally as good as bought gowns. However, renting the convocation attire has several advantages that accrue to it.

1.      Save yourself some space: While buying a regalia might be tempting, there is no point for you to have something that will take a lot of closet space. Nobody will really ask you to wear it again after you graduate. Rent one and save yourself some space.

2.      Save yourself some money: As a student money might be tight. The last thing you want is to buy a robe that you will only wear once. Renting saves money considering that most stores provide discounts.

Once you have decided what method you want, take measurements. This ensures that you get a comfortable garment. Loose garments are a nightmare to manoeuvre in when you walk to the dice to get your degree. Online stores allow you to submit measurements and get gown delivered to your doorstep.

While these are a few basics, you can also find others that will work for you.

Are you graduating? Basics you should be familiar with when buying your attire

Convocation is the peak of excellence in academia. It is the culmination of all the efforts one puts in his or her studies. A graduation ceremony is considered as a milestone in one’s life like getting married. If it is anything like a wedding, then there is special attire that one has to wear. In weddings, there is the wedding dress for the bride and the ceremonial tuxedo for the groom. For a graduation ceremony there are the graduation caps and gowns. These are the characteristic apparel that one wears when participating in the ceremony.

Graduation cords are also an important item in your ensemble. Please make sure to carry it when you are attending the ceremony. Without it, you might look out of place. It is always important for one to ensure that cords mix well in order to avoid unprecedented hassles that arise from change. Therefore, this crucial element is important. It would such an embarrassing moment when you are asked to produce the cord and find it absent. Ensure that you have it with you when you leave.

For students who are graduating, there is usually nobody to give them graduation advice. They are on their own. For this reason, they might end up making a lot of mistakes along the way since they are doing it for the first time. However, one doesn’t have to go through the experience blindly. There are a few basics that one should be familiar with when shopping for the ceremonial apparels. These few pointers will make the experience less painful and hassle-free. Plus they provide one with the peace of mind that most people have when they graduate.

It is always crucial for you to plan in advance. Last minute rush is not good for such a delicate process. It usually does more harm than good. Therefore, it is imperative that you plan in advance. Rentals in particular require prior preparation. One wrong move can prevent you from getting the dress. Ordering in advance leaves you with peace of mind.

Always take measurements to avoid getting oversize gowns. While some clothes leave you room to grow into, these apparels are not meant to. Oversize ones are quite unflattering and make you look like a walking circus. Wear something that is fitting.

Tams and other accessories associated with the convocation ceremonial apparel should always be looked into. Things like tassels, cords and soles are among the common accessories in ceremonial convocation regalia. Graduations don’t have to bland; when you take that picture and reminisce many years from now, you can picture how stylish you looked in the accessories.

It is always a good idea for you to shop around. You never really now if you could have found a competitive offer if you looked hard enough. Nowadays, you can find discounts almost anywhere. Online stores in particular have awesome deals.

Common mistakes that one makes when they shop for graduation attire

Graduating is the crowning moment of achievement. Students usually look forward to experiencing that all important moment when they get that degree or diploma. Indeed, for people who have graduated they feel a sense of pride when they look at their picture in their academic regalia. It usually brings back good memories of the good old days; that very exciting moment when one walks to the dice to receive that all important piece of paper and the ceremonial throwing of caps in the air. All these moments have one thing in common; you and countless others were wearing graduation caps and gowns and graduation cords. 

However, there is usually an untold story behind the entire ceremony. While everything during that D-day goes on smoothly, chances are there was untold attention to detail and preparation that went into it. Students, in particular, bear perhaps the greatest responsibility of ensuring it flows well. Not because, they have a hand in preparing the ceremony but because they are guests of honour. This occasion is primarily hosted for their celebration. For it to succeed, selecting the graduation apparel is a process they have to go through. Students will at times experience some difficulty in this process.

One of the mistakes they make is not planning early enough. The event is announced early in the year. Chances are that one knows whether or not he or she will graduate. If they are going to graduate, then they should make plans in advance to get the convocation regalia. One of the gravest mistakes that most students make is thinking that everything will take care of itself. It won’t. Contrary to that, it goes out of control and one ends up frustrated for nothing. To avoid this sad state of affairs ensure that you make plans in advance.

Another mistake they make is thinking that buying a gown is the only way out. It isn’t. Rentals are perhaps the best option that one can choose. Let’s face it, it is a once in a lifetime event. After the ceremony, you won’t have much use for these stuff. Throwing them away because they are taking up closet space won’t help either. Convocation regalia is very expensive.  Renting is one way of avoiding this quagmire.

While considering renting, look at the advantages associated with renting. One of them is saving on closet space. The ceremony is a once in a lifetime affair. There is no need to fill the closet with stuff you don’t need.

Another advantage of renting is that you save on expenditure. Academic suits are quite expensive to buy. As a student, one thing that runs through their mind is cutting cost. Renting is one of the ways of doing so. Online stores give people discounts. Look at this.

The other mistake people make is thinking that any old regalia will serve the same purpose. It is important that when you are renting a gown, you familiarize yourself with the colour recommended by school. Always look at this.                                                                                                   

Graduating and life’s moments

Most of life’s moments have special meaning in our lives. Most people believe that a person has two important moments in life; the day he’s born and the day he knows why. In the journey of self discovery, one has school as a way of figuring who you are meant to be in life. Let’s face it if you don’t know what your purpose for existence is, chances are that you won’t get anywhere. Education is meant to aid in our journey to self discovery. When you ask a five year old child what he or she wants to be, the answer would be different if you asked him or her ten years later. This attests to the power of education as power to shape perceptions.

The education process itself has its special moments; the day you enter your class and the day you graduate. Most students always look forward to the latter. It serves as a symbolic entrance to independence and to most a very important transition. However, one thing that makes graduation memorable is the graduation attire. The graduation caps and gowns and graduation cords are the important part of the ceremony. The ceremonial throwing of tams in the air might not be possible if you lack the tams.

However, shopping for convocation regalia is a very a tiresome process. Along the road, one encounters many difficulties that may discourage them from getting. You might end up frustrated. Nobody really prepares you for these things. You will be quite lucky when you find a friend who will advise you accordingly. Somebody to tell you which option between buying the regalia and renting is the best. If you don’t, then this article should provide you with a checklist of things you should look for when shopping for a gown. Apart from that, we shall briefly look at the advantages of renting convocation apparels.

It used to be common tradition for people to flock to stores and tailor shops to buy gown. Nowadays, it is really not the case. Most people opt to rent the attire rather than buy it. For a garment that will be used only once, it might get expensive when you buy it. Local stores allow one to rent attire to the big day.

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Importance of academic regalia

Graduation is a day on which each student wants to look better than the other. In this quest, they sometimes forget about the expenses when they go out to buy graduation caps and gowns. Some parents also succumb to the stubbornness of children to buy new regalia. That is the problem with most high school kids. In universities, however students are more mature and prefer to buy their robes on rent or second hand.

If you really want cheaper regalia then the first thing that you should do is to look for local shops that sell second hand robes and hats. You may also search for online shops that may be of help. In this quest, sites like EBay may also be able to help you. You can also find out about the former student of the institute in your area from which you can buy the dress.

If you want to take the clothing on rent then you have many options. One of them is to take from university shop. Many universities offer students the privilege of taking the regalia on rent to save them the money. If you do not have this facility then you can search for an accredited online shop.

There is a slight difference between the academic regalia of girls and boys. In some institutes, there is difference of color while in other styles are slightly different. When buying a robe, you should make sure that it fits you perfectly. It should be according to your height and weight. Similarly, hat should fit perfectly on your head. If the measurements are not according to your physical traits then you will feel uncomfortable moving around.

If you are buying brand new regalia then you should definitely check that it is indeed a new one. Some shopkeepers merely refresh the dress and sell them as new and charge you more money. There are also discount stores which are common in most cities. They have a good collection of colors and styles of regalia. You can easily purchase inexpensive clothing from them.

Graduation cords can also be bought or rented using above methods. They are very important part of graduation day dress. These cords are commonly known as honor cords. They come in different colors. Black and golden are two most popular colors. It consists of two tassels, one on each end. The total length of cords is approximately 60 inches.

The requirement of graduation day dress is almost the same in all institutes of the world. There are some common colors that students wear to the ceremony. Yellow, violet, blue, maroon and black are some of them. Each color represents different kinds of personalities and profession. For this reason, academic regalia of medical colleges are different from those of engineering and business schools. Silver gown is also preferred by some universities. Some institutes choose unique dress code to distinguish themselves from rest of the institutes but the color that an institute selects is one which is sophisticated and soothing to the eyes.              

Things to consider in buying graduation gowns and caps

Graduation caps and gowns are the requirement of not only university graduates but also high school graduates. High schools are not all that fussy about their students following a specific dress code. However they still expect their students to wear something respectable and sophisticated. Many high schools advise their students to wear the gown and hat matching to the color of the school mascot.

Universities are however more conscious about the dress code as it is a show of unity among the students of the institute. There are many shops in all the cities from which academic regalia can be bought. However, you need to make sure that the shop from which you are buying the dress is an accredited one. You should also consider comparing the prices of gowns and hats available at different shops before purchasing the required accessory.

You have two options in buying the academic regalia. You can either buy it from a retail store or use online method to purchase the accessory of your choice. Good thing about purchasing from retail shops is that you can try out your stuff before purchasing, whereas with online shops, you do not have this option. The best part about online method is its accessibility. You only need to have an internet connection to be able to purchase an item. Also you do not have to leave your house. You can buy the regalia online and you can receive the delivery at your door step by using any of the courier services available in your country.

You should definitely check for the fitting, lining, trimming and color of the robe and hat you are buying. Academic robes are generally made of cotton, silk or rayon. The type of the material also determines the prices of regalia. The style of the gown worn to the graduation ceremonies of different institutes is pretty much the same. However, there is marked difference in the color of robes and hats.

Graduation cords are also different for different institutes. It is very important that you have the regalia bought or rented (depending upon whichever is suitable for you) at least a week before the academic ceremony. This will help you avoid nervousness and tension. Some students give less importance to cords and buy them only on last minute. It is important for you to understand that cord is just as important a part of regalia as the other stuff is.

You can adopt another method for preparing the dress. You can take the material for the robe and give it to the tailor for stitching. In this way, you can save quite a few bucks. This is a less expensive route because when you buy the dress from retail store, the price that you pay includes not only the cost of the material and stitching but other manufacturing expenses are also a part of the price and then shop keeper also wants to earn profit which contributes to the high price of the graduation dress.               

Proper selection of academic regalia

Graduation is one of the most important days in the life of a student and this day is incomplete without wearing graduation caps and gowns. There are many ways of doing this. The day does not require you to wear expensive and over the top gowns. You can celebrate this day effectively by renting them. Renting the robe is perhaps the most effective way of saving money. Besides, you only have to wear the robe and the cap for one day only and then you won’t need it so it’s better not to purchase them.

There are many ways of finding good academic regalia. The first thing that you should do is to find out what color of the regalia and cap your institute expects you to wear to the graduation. There are some universities and High schools that have their own shops which give regalia on discount price to their students. Secondly, you can also purchase these from a former student of the institute. There are some other institutes which distribute the gowns and caps for free to the students while some others give them on rent.

If you want to take the regalia on rent then besides the option of doing this offline, you can also perform the task through online stores. You may even find these for purchase at a discounted price on EBay. Renting from online store not only saves you money but also there is no time wastage. You will receive the robe and cap as soon as the problem of money transfer is settled. You can even take the robe which is larger than your size only if you are able to purchase it at a very low price. You can then give the robe to the tailor for fitting. One other thing which you can perhaps do is to be friends with senior students. In this way, you will be able to take regalia without having to pay a single penny.

If you are looking for graduation cords then again you have the option of purchasing or renting them online but cords are not all that expensive so you can easily purchase them. You will receive the cord as soon as you make the payment to the online shop through credit card. You can also collaborate with all your class mates and place a huge order at a shop. In this way, each student will be able to get an appreciable amount of discount on the cord. However, if you are placing the order at a far off online shop then you may have to pay for the freight in as well which will add to the purchase cost of the regalia as well as cord. It is therefore better to purchase them form a local shop or a shop that is in your city whether it is online or offline.

In buying the dress for the graduation, you should weigh your options i.e. money and your own desire for new robe, cap or cord. You can then purchase or take them on rent depending upon what suits you better.

Proper selection of academic regalia

Graduation is one of the most important days in the life of a student and this day is incomplete without wearing graduation caps and gowns. There are many ways of doing this. The day does not require you to wear expensive and over the top gowns. You can celebrate this day effectively by renting them. Renting the robe is perhaps the most effective way of saving money. Besides, you only have to wear the robe and the cap for one day only and then you won’t need it so it’s better not to purchase them.

There are many ways of finding good academic regalia. The first thing that you should do is to find out what color of the regalia and cap your institute expects you to wear to the graduation. There are some universities and High schools that have their own shops which give regalia on discount price to their students. Secondly, you can also purchase these from a former student of the institute. There are some other institutes which distribute the gowns and caps for free to the students while some others give them on rent.

If you want to take the regalia on rent then besides the option of doing this offline, you can also perform the task through online stores. You may even find these for purchase at a discounted price on EBay. Renting from online store not only saves you money but also there is no time wastage. You will receive the robe and cap as soon as the problem of money transfer is settled. You can even take the robe which is larger than your size only if you are able to purchase it at a very low price. You can then give the robe to the tailor for fitting. One other thing which you can perhaps do is to be friends with senior students. In this way, you will be able to take regalia without having to pay a single penny.

If you are looking for graduation cords then again you have the option of purchasing or renting them online but cords are not all that expensive so you can easily purchase them. You will receive the cord as soon as you make the payment to the online shop through credit card. You can also collaborate with all your class mates and place a huge order at a shop. In this way, each student will be able to get an appreciable amount of discount on the cord. However, if you are placing the order at a far off online shop then you may have to pay for the freight in as well which will add to the purchase cost of the regalia as well as cord. It is therefore better to purchase them form a local shop or a shop that is in your city whether it is online or offline.

In buying the dress for the graduation, you should weigh your options i.e. money and your own desire for new robe, cap or cord. You can then purchase or take them on rent depending upon what suits you better.

Colors and styles of gowns, caps and cords

In this era of inflation, affordability of objects is the biggest problem people are facing. Everybody is affected from it from mature people to children. Students are also aware of the global financial crisis. For this reason, they want to buy those graduation caps and gowns that are comparatively inexpensive. They have realized that they need to save every penny but there are some students who are from rich families. They tend to go for more flamboyant academic regalia.

No student can afford to miss the graduation ceremony because that is the day on which he gets the reward for his hard work and every student dreams of making this day as memorable as possible. This dream cannot come true without following a proper dress code. There are some universities that allow their students the luxury to wear any kind and any color gown and cap to the acedemic ceremony. However, there are some universities that put special emphasis on following a proper dress code.

There are various color robes and hats. The type that you should go for depends upon the policies for your university or high school. Most medical schools prefer blue robes and caps while many engineering institutes have maroon robes. There are universities that keep it very simple and allow students to wear simple black regalia to the graduation ceremony. There are gowns of many different types, designs and styles. The style of the gown depends upon the money that you will be able to pay for it. The material of robe and cap also determines the cost price for it. Some robes are more comfortable to wear than others.

Besides robes and hats, graduation cords are also an important part of academic regalia. These cords are an important part of the graduation accessory. Without them, your dressing is incomplete. The cords are of many different colors. In their selection, you can consult your friends as well as teachers. You should also check whether cords are part of dress code or not. Some institutes require their students to wear golden cords. However, the color of the robe also determines the color of the cord. The best way to purchase the cords is from internet. There are a lot of online companies that can help you with your quest. Buying online has many advantages. The major one is the ease of money transaction.

Caps, gowns as well as cords can be bought from a second hand shop which can help you save a few bucks. When you buy from second hand shop, you should make sure that there is no hole in the regalia and its color and fiber are intact. The advantage with second hand regalia is that you can again sell it for a few bucks and you will not end up losing a lot of money. You can even transfer them on to your younger brother or sister if you have one. You can even give your academic regalia on rent after the acedemic ceremony to earn extra money.

Importance of academic regalia

Graduation is a day on which each student wants to look better than the other. In this quest, they sometimes forget about the expenses when they go out to buy graduation caps and gowns. Some parents also succumb to the stubbornness of children to buy new regalia. That is the problem with most high school kids. In universities, however students are more mature and prefer to buy their robes on rent or second hand.

If you really want cheaper regalia then the first thing that you should do is to look for local shops that sell second hand robes and hats. You may also search for online shops that may be of help. In this quest, sites like EBay may also be able to help you. You can also find out about the former student of the institute in your area from which you can buy the dress.

If you want to take the clothing on rent then you have many options. One of them is to take from university shop. Many universities offer students the privilege of taking the regalia on rent to save them the money. If you do not have this facility then you can search for an accredited online shop.

There is a slight difference between the academic regalia of girls and boys. In some institutes, there is difference of color while in other styles are slightly different. When buying a robe, you should make sure that it fits you perfectly. It should be according to your height and weight. Similarly, hat should fit perfectly on your head. If the measurements are not according to your physical traits then you will feel uncomfortable moving around.

If you are buying brand new regalia then you should definitely check that it is indeed a new one. Some shopkeepers merely refresh the dress and sell them as new and charge you more money. There are also discount stores which are common in most cities. They have a good collection of colors and styles of regalia. You can easily purchase inexpensive clothing from them.

Graduation cords can also be bought or rented using above methods. They are very important part of graduation day dress. These cords are commonly known as honor cords. They come in different colors. Black and golden are two most popular colors. It consists of two tassels, one on each end. The total length of cords is approximately 60 inches.

The requirement of graduation day dress is almost the same in all institutes of the world. There are some common colors that students wear to the ceremony. Yellow, violet, blue, maroon and black are some of them. Each color represents different kinds of personalities and profession. For this reason, academic regalia of medical colleges are different from those of engineering and business schools. Silver gown is also preferred by some universities. Some institutes choose unique dress code to distinguish themselves from rest of the institutes but the color that an institute selects is one which is sophisticated and soothing to the eyes.              

Location

Most of us overlook this factor when considering which college/university to enrol. This is very important because the safety of your upcoming few years relies on your decision. For example, if you choose to be enrol into a university located in a rural area far away from home, who will come to your rescue when you faces any emergency? Being in a city doesn’t mean you’re any safer too. Rate of reported cases such as robberies, traffic accidents, snatch thieves are often higher in busy cities compare to rural areas. Henceforth, this factor should be considered carefully before deciding on which college/ university.

Fees

Tuition fees should be reasonable and affordable to ease the burden of your parents. You can always enquire if there is any financial aid provided by the college/university fow low income families or scholarships offered for good academic results. This would also help you in determining your target / goal in your academic result.

Recognition

It is very important that after you’ve graduated, the certification that you’re awarded is recognised in your country, or better if it is internationally recognise. Look at the current status of the previous students of a choosen university/ college. Which company are they working in? A recognised academic institution should have a number of students working in big organisations / listed companies.

Courses offered / Specialty

After all the consideration above, , it would be useless if the course you intend to take is not offered in the chosen college/ university. You can always look through the list of courses offered so that you’ll have a better picture when you’re required to choose a major in the later year. You can also choose a college/ university base on the college/university’s specialty. For example, if you’ve chosen to be in the accountancy field, you should focus more on the colleges / universities that are well known for its profession in the accountancy field.

Decision

Finally, the decision for which should be the chosen college / university lies on you. You can also attend education fairs to enquire and seek advise from the professionals on your doubts. However, always bear in mind of the enrolment dates so that you would not miss it!

Staying on subject

“Well-rounded” is one of those terms that gets tossed around in admissions brochures and by college recruiters; it essentially means that they’re looking for students with broad interests and strengths in more than one subject. But for students who’ve already chosen a major, a test that showcases their talent in a particular subject might be best. The SAT has three major sections: math, critical reasoning, and writing. The ACT, on the other hand, has five sections: math, English, reading, science and writing. Because the ACT includes science and English sections, future science and liberal arts students might want to take the ACT, although the SAT’s math and critical reasoning sections can serve the same purpose.

Beating the clock

It seems a little unfair that the SAT has three sections and a three-hour, forty-five minute time limit, while the ACT gives you just under three hours to complete five sections. But the devil is in the details: guessing is discouraged for SAT takers, with a penalty of a quarter-point for wrong answers. There is no penalty, however, for wrong answers on the ACT. And while both tests have an essay section, it’s optional—which means students can save time by simply skipping the essay section. Finally, the math section—feared by future English majors everywhere—generally has easier problems on the SAT, but there are fewer, more difficult problems on the ACT.

So, which test should you take, and how do you get your best score? First, find out which tests are preferred by the colleges and universities to which you are applying. Some students take both tests more than once because they hope to improve their chances for a higher score.

No matter which test you decide to take, using study guides, trying new ways to study, and using a vocabulary list can help you with both tests. Both the ACT and the SAT are just exams to demonstrate your readiness for college subjects; doing your best can improve your chances of getting into your dream school.

Written on behalf of American InterContinental University.

You know, I’m kind of genius, I’ve red and understood Nietzsche when i was 15! But on the other side, Graduation is not about ‘being genius’, it’s all about being ready and prepared. So, it can be little problem, cause I’m probably laziest person on the world! Every single day I struggle with procrastionation.. I’m even so lazy that I can’t force my big lazy butt to make me some food! Gob bless my girlfriend! I love her! She cooks me, she loves me. She is my only hope, to push me to learn something! I just want to make some money god damn it! I love money! I love sex! I love donuts! I have to make this enought long so I can publish it, cause I need money! You know, I can use the old good blah blah blah method, but I rather write down my own feeling and ideas, because I can train my english by this.. Guess what. I’m not natve speaker! Suprised? I guess you are!

Image via Wikipedia

The average clearly shows a professional today can expect at least six full careers and 14 full- time jobs lasting two years or more. Even hiring companies are very happy if a professional has a spent a good three years in an assignment. 50% of the workforces are in the first year of employment in the job or position. The knowledge of new graduates is doubling every three years and jobs are becoming obsolete at the rate of 30 to 50%.

A freshly graduated engineer is better educated and more skilled than an engineer graduated five years ago, unless that engineer who graduated five years ago has kept current with the rapid changes in the industry. And a new graduate at half the cost can replace the old. There are many who are becoming obsolete in their industry before 30 years of age. They bought into the old belief and have not kept themselves current. In the current trend one must not just ask what my next job is, but must also be asking what my next career is going to be.

Imagine for a minute that your entire industry vanished overnight and you have to start all over again. What would it be? Please don’t think this question is speculative and it’s not for me. This is a question one will have to deal with sooner or later.

Agham Yearbook 2008-2009 (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)

After stepping out of the Seaweed Chemistry building, where Joyce handed me my copy of our undergraduate yearbook; I noticed the overcast sky, hurried to the roadside and immediately called for an Ikotjeep to drop me off anywhere near the College of Engineering for my Wastewater Treatment and Disposal class. I first paid the fare of 7.00 Php, which I believe is too much for a regular UP student. But considering the fact that the UP that I am at now isn’t the old UP I once loved (and loathed with all the stress brought about by some heartless terror professors and usually impossible-to-finish-and-to-perfect assignments and examinations), there’s really nothing much that I can (and, for some reason, care to) do.

There was a downpour as I flipped through the first pages of the yearbook. I was not sure but I did feel disappointed. I don’t know if it was the heavy rain (because I intentionally left my umbrella at home) or if it was the yearbook’s mediocre appeal to me. Or maybe it was both. But don’t get me wrong. My college yearbook is way (way) (way) fancier and more elaborate than my high school yearbook. The undergraduate yearbook is colourful and appears to be full of details and photographs as oppose to the high school yearbook which is black and white and appears to be nothing but a certified reject from a publishing house. But I can’t explain why neither one of them seem to urge me to keep on browsing their contents over and over and over.

I skipped the letters from the dean and the directors because I (or we) know that they were merely obliged to write those messages just so everyone else will think that they have imparted something inspirational to the graduates. For all we know, they may have used the exact words in the previous yearbooks or during a speech in a conference. The letters appeared downright unoriginal and non-personalized. Shameful.

I went straight to the part of the yearbook that lists the Institute of Chemistry graduates.

Institute of Chemistry Yearbook Page (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)

I first went to my page, checked if my name was spelled correctly and assessed if my description was properly written. Thank heavens, it was! And so I would like to give credits to the yearbook staff for that achievement. But I didn’t stay so much on my page. I know everything that I wanted and envisioned to be written on it. And so I immediately browsed through my friends’ pages.

EK Encarnacion’s Yearbook Page (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)

Staring at the photographs of the people who had been with me through college’s roller coaster ride was just heart-warming. I have realized how much I enjoyed my undergraduate days as compared to my years in elementary or in high school because those people, my college friends, shared the same joys and sorrows, and successes and failures that I have experienced in the pursuit of the BS degree which is more crucial than either elementary or high school diploma in one’s career path. My chemistry friends are those who accompanied me in the four years of undergraduate studies—the ones who joined me on every food and movie trip; those who went with me to shopping malls, amusement parks, beaches, and even the crowded alleys of Divisoria and Recto; the ones who danced with me until the break of dawn to the music of the latest Pinoy bands at the UP fair; those who crammed with me in passing homework and formal reports; the ones who joined me in pretending to study overnight for a major (major) Chemistry examination; and those who celebrated with me as we marched inside the UP theatre while donning our sablays.

 I began to really miss everyone. Somehow, I felt like I got separated from the entire batch (i.e. everyone’s living up north while I’m residing and working down south of Luzon) for the longest time that I am just so excited to know how they are. I’m pretty sure everyone has grown so much since we parted ways.

I did not bother to look at the pages of the other 2009 College of Science graduates. Sorry. It’s just that, I didn’t have much connection with them as oppose to my chemistry friends.

Before I closed the yearbook, there were other things that I noticed though: (a) the group photo of the Institute of Chemistry graduates appears to be a test shot (look closely at how some of the people weren’t even looking at the camera). Why was it chosen instead of the shots with the balloons and the confetti? We were aiming for a festivity—a party-like group shot similar to the one in thirteen-going-thirty starring Jennifer Garner. And that photo in the yearbook didn’t capture our intention at all. Very Disappointing; (b) there’s something wrong with that page for KaSCIyahan and I have no desire to explain it for it is very (very) obvious; (c) I am happy with how the chemistry batch description was presented (aesthetics-wise) on a single page. I thank everyone for being an inspiration; and finally something highly positive and appreciative, (d) kudos to the editorial board for a yearbook that is bursting with colour and creativity!

Insitute of Chemistry Batch Photos Page (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)

Institute of Chemistry Batch Description Page (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)

I got down at the shed near the College of Economics. It was drizzling and I feared that my yearbook will get soaked. I walked briskly and kept the yearbook as close to me as possible in order to minimize the chances of it being drenched and eventually, easily torn apart and destroyed. I hurried to the doors of Melchor Hall. As I pass by the unfriendly guard, I looked at the state of my yearbook. A few pages were wet and showed signs of wrinkling. And being partially, obsessive-compulsive, I was devastated (If I was entirely OC, imagine what adjective could I have used for this sentence). Aside from the sky-high price we all shouldered just so the publication of the yearbook pushes through for our batch, it took decades before distribution became possible and the hard copies reached our very own hands—many of us have obtained our licenses already and have been working for more than a year while some have already reached residency for their masters!

But then as I sat down inside the classroom, I realized that there wasn’t really much that the yearbook offered and presented. It was simply a tangible memory of college. And no matter how cheesy this may sound, every priceless moment that my chemistry friends and I shared during our undergraduate years is engraved in our hearts and our minds—flavourful stories which cannot be retold in, not even summarized by, a single page in the yearbook.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

EK Encarnacion wanted a different creative shot. But because the studio can’t fulfil what he envisioned, he settled for the rock-and-roll theme (shown at the bottom of his Yearbook Page). He wishes he can do a much better photo shoot someday. *Calling Photographer Friends* To learn more of him, visit: Every-Comedy-Thing(life blog), Culinary Coliseum(food blog), Travelocities(travel blog), and By God’s Grace(gratitude blog). His works are also indexed at the Pinoy blog, The Filipino Diaspora.