Walking Across The Stage To Graduate College Is Overrated | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Walking Across The Stage To Graduate College Is Overrated

I walked for my graduation in high school, but compromised so I wouldn't have to do it again in college.

792
Walking Across The Stage To Graduate College Is Overrated
Tom Twedell

High school graduation was one thing, but college graduation is a whole different burden. I hate to admit this, but college probably wasn’t one of the finer moments in my life. I probably drank far too much, made far too many mistakes, and lost a lot of good friendships along the way. It also took me WAY TOO DAMN LONG.

 

I went to college the fall of 2013. I wholeheartedly expected to graduate in May of 2017. Well, it’s now coming up to May of 2018, I spent a lot more money than I wanted to, and I am now facing a graduation ceremony that will take far too many hours to attend and complete.

I can think of at least 30 things that would be more fun and a better use of my time than to watch other people I don’t even know, walk down and receive a fake diploma. (Colleges don’t hand out the real ones.)

 

Why was I more willing to walk in high school than in college? In high school, I had 130 classmates that graduated with me. I knew over 90% of them. In college, I’ll probably have close to 1,000. I know maybe .5% of them.

In college, it’s not so meaningful because I never interacted with a very high amount of the kids that are walking during the ceremony. So, I have other plans to spend my evening.

 

My guess is that the ceremony will last close to three or four hours. If it’s nice out, I could potentially partake in a very relaxing and uplifting round or two of golf by the time they get to the last names starting with “E.” It’s something I would much rather do with my time, and it certainly could be a much more productive way to spend it.

 

Is my mother going to be happy with me about this decision? Nope.

Do you know what the key is to make her less unhappy in this situation? Telling her beforehand that you’re not walking, so she doesn’t show up expecting to see you walk through but end up wasting her time when they call your name but you don’t walk across the stage.

Also, make a blood pact that you’ll still wear a cap and gown to take pictures at a different venue on a different day. Moms only do it for the pictures, so compromising is effective this way.

 

Graduating high school is also not that big of a deal compared to college — I get that. A lot more people will graduate high school than college. But think about it this way: if you went to college for five years like someone I know (AKA me), spent far too much money, and still owe the government a good portion of your future salary, would you really want to celebrate having to pay all of those back in just a short six months? Hell no.

It’s time to live it up and suppress all of those thoughts until you have to start paying them back. Be depressed later; live for the now.

 

But all in all, if your mom wants you to walk, or some of your family members really want to see you get up and scurry across the stage to grab the most expensive-ass metaphor of your life, you should always lean towards bartering for a tee time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

170481
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

55576
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

49472
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments