If you’re graduating with a graduate degree this semester, congratulations!!! Or maybe you’re a faculty member heading to watch your students graduate. You might be wondering what to bring to commencement. After you figure out what to wear, it might hit you that…the ceremony is super long. Now that I attend commencement every year as a faculty member, here is what I wish I knew before my first ceremony.
A place to store stuff
Commencement robes do not have pockets. Women’s dresses do not have pockets. Even if you get a dress with pockets, reaching into them during the ceremony would be almost impossible. I recommend a tiny crossbody bag or a phone holder.
I see a lot of graduates walk across the stage carrying their phone. It’s not the end of the world, but it does making grabbing a diploma and shaking hands difficult. Plus, then the phone is in all your walking across the stage pictures!
Outdoor graduation essentials
If your ceremony is outside, I am sending you strength. A May graduation can get WARM, and those robes do NOT breathe. You might consider a paper fan or even a small chargeable fan if you run warm.
I also think sunglasses are a must. I am not staring at a stage in the bright sun for 3 hours without them.
A snack and a water bottle is also a good idea. You can stash them under your seat when you walk up to the stage.
Comforting items
One thing I didn’t know before my first indoor graduation ceremony: it gets super loud. I actually bring Loop earplugs now and it really helps with all the cheering and the jazz band (!!!) that plays on repeat during ours. So, if you get overwhelmed by loud noises I highly recommend the earplug approach.
Fun stuff to bring to commencement
I am still jealous of the person who brought an Instax to graduation last year. The photos are extremely cute, and everyone else in the line was SO excited to take one. I might bring one for our grads this year 🙂
Also, have I mentioned ceremonies are boring? I have it on good authority that another department on campus makes bingo cards to fill out during the ceremony. If you’re in the student section and super bored I have pondered bringing a sudoku book or crossword book. But maybe that’s just me considering becoming very rude, please weigh in.
After about 9 ceremonies, these are my tips for what to bring to commencement. Do you have any other essentials you recommend??
If you haven’t found a graduation dress yet, here are my picks!
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Long time reader – first time commenter, I love your blog! I, too, have sat through numerous commencement ceremonies as a faculty member and have a few additions if you’ll indulge me. I would add sunscreen to the outdoor list of things. I would add to be sure to wear comfortable shoes and/or waterproof shoes if the field is dewey or it’s drizzling/raining outside. Master’s degree robes have fabulous sleeves that allow you to carry phone, wallet, keys, water bottle in their depths, but if you don’t have the master’s robe, I like a belt bag in addition to your great crossbody recommendation. I also suggest dressing comfortably but cute under your robe. Those robes don’t breathe, but they’re mysteriously also not warm! Congratulations to all who are graduating and here’s to another year of sitting on the field as a faculty member 🙂
Thanks, Alyssa! This is all amazing advice!!!
Thank you so much! I’m graduating this May, and this was really helpful!
Congratulations!! Celebrate big! 🙂