Four years. That's how long it takes you to get to this day; to get to this moment. Somewhere between all the late nights trying to finish papers and countless cups of coffee for morning classes, you made it. You are graduating.
These are five reasons that you should participate in your graduation ceremony.
1. It will make you feel accomplished.
Let's face it; graduating from college is a big deal. It doesn't really feel real unless you make a big deal out of it and wear that ridiculous cap and gown.
2. You'll get to see your family cry out of sheer happiness.
Nothing makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside like seeing your family cry because they are so proud of you.
3. You get a fancy diploma holder.
I mean it would be even better if the diploma was in it when you got it, but it's still pretty neat.
4. You get to be part of a Twitter trend.
Maybe this one is just my college, but at Minnesota State University Moorhead, if you hashtag #MSUM and the year you are graduating (#MSUM2016) during the graduation there is a chance your tweet will be on the big screen during commencement, and it is usually a regionally trending hashtag.
5. You'll get to make one last college memory.
This is it. The last time you will be a college student. Commencement is your last chance to make one more experience that you can hold with you for the rest of your life.
As I put on my black graduation gown and hair-flattening cap and tassel, I realized why I decided to go through the graduation ceremony. I could have lied to myself and said I was doing it "because my family wanted me to," or "because 'you only graduate from college once,'" but that wasn't why I decided to go.
The truth is, I was going because I owed it to my freshman-year self. To the girl who didn't think this day would ever come. To the girl who didn't believe in herself and thought she would never be driven enough to accomplish four years of college. You survived required classes you didn't want to take, homesickness and feeling vulnerable in a completely new environment. To the girl who felt so scared, alone and unsure of herself––you did it.
Freshman year self, I am doing this for you.
