The run-up to graduation

After all the late nights in the Library, all the last minute submissions and all the exam stress, there isn’t much time to consider graduation. But, now I come to think about it, the prospect of graduation is very exciting as well as slightly daunting. 

Nearly every third year in the country is worrying about what to wear and hoping against hope not to trip over on stage (me included). But more importantly, this will be the chance for you, your friends and family to celebrate what you have been working so hard to achieve and it is an exciting time for everyone. When I started university, I knew very little about what happens on graduation day and the run-up to it so I thought it would be a good idea to tell you about it.

As I’m sure you all know by now, we have the fantastic opportunity to graduate in the beautiful Lincoln Cathedral. Towards the end of your final year, you will receive an email invitation and it will give you all of the information about your specific graduation slot, including the time and date and how to register. You must register in order to attend and then you will be able to hire your gown, mortarboard (that’s the hat) and hood.

Graduation for undergraduates is typically the first full week of September and there are three ceremony’s per day – 10:30 am, 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. When you register for your graduation, you will receive a ticket for yourself and up to two extra tickets for friends or family. If there are any tickets left once registration has closed, you’ll be allowed to purchase extra tickets on a first come first serve basis. Then you

On the day, you must arrive at least an hour before the ceremony starts as you will need to collect your tickets and gown – this is usually in the castle grounds if you’re an undergrad. Photographs are taken before the ceremony once you’ve got your gown, which you (or your parents) can buy after the ceremony. You are then called into the cathedral as you must be seated half an hour before the ceremony starts.

You will have plenty of time to reach your seats and once you do there’s a warm-up by … and he’ll tell you what you need to do, like the famous ‘Lincoln Doff’.

If you can’t make the September graduation or you’re graduating later in the year you will be doing all this the following January.

I’ve been told that Graduation goes so quickly but it’s a memory that lasts forever, so look forward to it!

You can find other useful information here and FAQ’s here.