Time : 10.06
Location : Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Gap 'n Gowned!
So it finally came. 4 and a half years after starting Business Studies at Birmingham City University, and about 8 months after actually finishing, I finally graduated yesterday!
The ceremony was held at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and was definitely nothing like I've ever experienced!
I was really nervous, I don't really know why, I guess it was because for that 5 second period, hundreds of pairs of eyes were on you, walking across the stage. I'm not sure, it was just an odd feeling.
I think the waiting, and the rituals / traditions of the ceremony was what made me more nervous. An 8-piece mini orchestra played atmospheric music before the ceremony actually started - that didn't help!
When the ceremony eventually started, it all got a bit weird! A selection of lecturers and university managerial staff made a slow walk to the stage. It reminded me of the Olympic torch relay, as the chap at the front of the congregation held a massive silver stick that resembled an Olympic torch!
Once the ceremony started, students were honoured, from members of staff, masters, postgraduates and finally us lowly graduates. There was a lot of clapping. A LOT. And I felt bad. I felt like I had to clap for every single person that walked across the stage, as I would have wanted everyone to clap for me.
Something that slightly disappointed me was that I didn't really get to see my friends walk across the stage, as I was in the back corridors queuing for my moment! Never mind.
And then, in the blink of an eye, it was over! Mark Gary Stern one of our senior lecturers read, as I walked across the stage to shake a couple of gowned men - one of whom was dressed like a pirate, it should be noted.
Apparently my friends and family all cheered and 'whooped' for me, but I didn't really hear - I was too busy concentrating on not tripping over, not having my hat fall off (and it was already a little bit too big for me), maintaining the appearance of my gown AND not ballsing up the two handshakes - which I nailed spot on, athank you!
Mum videoed me walking across the stage, at which time I discovered how poor my walk / posture is. Must address NOW. I did get to relive the two greatest handshakes ever delivered, which was better than receiving my degree (well, not really, but they were damn good!).
And that was pretty much it! I was expecting the ceremony to be a lot worse than it was. I thought it would be really boring, and I guess it was still boring, just not really boring!
Afterwards we went out for lunch to a gastropub outside the city centre, by which point I hadn't eaten all day so I had a bit of a headache! Then all my family went home and I celebrated my graduation with a quick pint with a friend, before a nice game of football!
Until tomorrow!
Lesson of the day - Believe In Your Dreams (As read from my graduation card from work)
Note. There was no cap throwing - I thought that was a bit of a cringe and more of an American thing!
Pointless Note - The tassels on a graduation cap should ALWAYS go on the LEFT. I didn't ask why and can't be bothered to Google! If anyone knows, do tell!!
Don't you move them to the other side once you have received your diploma?
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