How to Celebrate Graduation

Take for instance, Muhmaet Hassan, senior finance major who is slated to graduate this May and will become the first college graduate in his immediate family. For him, the road to graduation has been earned, not given. While working as the treasure of the TKE chapter, Hassan, has been working “double”. “Managing finances both inside and outside of school has been challenging. When I graduate this spring, I’ll be honest, I’d like to celebrate,” said Hassan; but how?

According to Hassan, being the first to graduate college in his family carries, “a lot of sentimental value.” Hassan said, “I think I’m going to have a big Turkish barbeque with my family, but then, the job search will begin.”

Hassan is the not the alone when it comes to being the first to graduate of his family.

McKenzie Carroll, a senior education major, carries that same torch, and when it comes to graduation, she’s already begun to dabble in ideas of how she’ll celebrate her graduation.

“I’m torn between going away for a few days with either friends or family, but, at the same time I would like to start my job search immediately.” After a moment’s thought, she said, “I think I’m going to go away with my friends.” While discussing some possible get-away destinations with Carroll, she expressed interest in Miami, and the West Coast. “I’ve heard many things about Los Angeles and San Francisco; I guess we’ll have to see.”

Here are some quotes from students when asked: “Why does graduation deserve such a celebration?”

Stephanie Athanasopolous, senior digital arts and design major, intends to graduate this spring. She said, “Graduation is about you and the work you put in of course, but it’s about family and friends. You need to celebrate with the people who helped put you in the position to succeed. Celebrate however you see fit.”

Muhmaet Hassan, senior finance major, is also graduating this spring, and said “People take everything for granted, even education sometimes. Graduation is one of those moments where you press pause, smell the roses, and celebrate with the people you love. It deserves such a celebration because it’s a reflection of you and the people around you.”

McKenzie Carroll, senior education major, said, “Life is too short not to celebrate the little things, and in this case the big things like graduation. If it weren’t for my friends and family, I don’t know if I would have been walking down the aisle towards my diploma. So after, we’re going to celebrate. Why not?”

Why not, indeed? For most students, graduation from college is only a onetime event. In fact, for most Americans, graduation is a rare feat to accomplish. According the 2015 American Census Population Survey, only 33% of Americans reported having a bachelor’s degree. Given the current landscape of the private sector, most employers view a bachelor’s degree as a “must,” while some students feel pressure obtaining a masters degree to solidify better chances of finding employment after graduation. All in all, no matter how students decide to celebrate, they have earned it.