6 tips for a stress-free graduation
Commencement is an important milestone in your life. It’s a time when the culmination of all your hard work and studying pays off with you walking across a stage in front of hundreds of people — including your family. This can cause intense emotions since you don’t just have to show up to the graduation ceremony, you also have to make sure you plan everything just right. (Order your regalia, make hotel reservations, go shopping — this list can get quite extensive.)
In order to assist you with some of those plans, Jennifer Girl, Events and Operations Manager for University of Phoenix, shares tips on how you can make graduation a successful and stress-free event.
1. Register for commencement
Students can register for the National Commencement Ceremony at the student website. Don’t forget to print your confirmation. It’ll provide you with the ceremony details, including the date, time and location. Also be on the lookout for reminders. If you’re graduating from a local campus, they often distribute fliers and mailers to inform their community of local commencement ceremonies.
Students attending the National Commencement Ceremony can obtain special deals on airfares, rental cars and accommodations through the University Student Marketplace.
2. Order regalia
Commencement is nothing without the regalia. The cap and gown, stole [bachelor’s degree] or hood [master’s degree] all mark the significance of the event. For the national ceremony, order regalia through University vendors available at the student website. For a local ceremony, contact the campus to find out its preferred regalia vendor. Remember, to get your regalia on time, you need to order it by the deadline provided.
3. Get tickets ahead of time
Although there is no ticket limit for the national ceremony, there may be limits for smaller local ceremonies. Local commencement ceremonies may cap the number of attendees because of limitations in venue size. Be sure to order tickets early to ensure your friends and family can be there with you to celebrate in your achievement. Even if they can’t make it to Glendale, Ariz., for the national ceremony, they can watch it streaming live online, here on phoenix.edu.
4. Dress comfortably
Dress appropriately for the weather and location. While the University’s National Commencement Ceremony will be held indoors in Arizona that may not be the case at other venues. The University does not have a dress code for commencement, but business casual is always a safe bet. Cameras are sure to be present to capture your important moments!
5. Be prompt
On the day of the event, arrive on time. Pay attention to the details provided in your registration: when to arrive, when to line up and when the ceremony will begin. Review the lineup for national commencement ceremonies online or contact your campus for details on ceremonies held locally.
6. Connect with alumni
The University will host a reception immediately following the National Commencement Ceremony at University of Phoenix Stadium for graduates, guests and instructors. This is your opportunity to start making professional connections and learn how you can take advantage of your alumni association benefits right away.
