The Feelings of Commencement

In this Issue: today we talk a little bit about the emotions and experiences of Commencement

Graduation is a major milestone in your student’s life and transition to full adulthood. Your graduate will want to remember this weekend as a happy, loving time together, and so will you. As Commencement gets closer, I wanted to share a few tips on the emotional aspect of Commencement weekend, how to make it a more enjoyable process for all (note that we are likely to share more practical, tactical reminders towards the end of the week once we have a final read of the weather forecast). For now, here goes.

• Be patient. With literally thousands of families and guests coming to campus, there will be times where you encounter a line, or have to wait for something. Or maybe someone in your family (or your graduate!) is running late. In those moments, if you can show grace vs. irritation, your family will likely have a more pleasant experience.
• Understand your graduate may act a little differently. They might be excited, or nervous, or dreading saying goodbye to their friends, or feeling pressure to do family things and friend things all at once. Be there with a supportive hug when needed, and don’t be offended if they want or need time with their friends.
• Follow all Commencement guidelines. There is a clear bag policy and a prohibited items list. During University Commencement, we ask families to observe the rope barricades and ask that you don’t enter the center aisle and the platform/stage.
• Stay hydrated, pack a snack. While there will be some food/drink on sale on the Quad (cash only), if you are the kind of person who likes to have a drink and/or snack option with you at all times, bring a reusable water bottle and refill at the water stations on campus, and pack a snack of choice. If the weekend turns out to be warm and sunny, we don’t want anyone to get overheated or run into a low blood sugar situation. Campus dining halls are not open during the weekend (because the majority of families typically like to go out to have family meals), so be prepared for that and plan to eat off campus.
• Be respectful during the Commencement ceremony. Because Commencement is about 3 hours long, we know people will have to get up to use the restroom, to get some shade, stretch their legs, etc. It is normal at a Wake graduation to have people moving about on the sidewalks during the ceremony for those reasons. But – we do ask guests to move quietly and not have conversations in the sidewalks, particularly while students’ names are being read as they cross the stage. Some may be temped to relax and start chatting once their graduate’s name has been read, but we want to maintain the ability to see/hear the stage – and honor the solemnity of the occasion – until ALL our graduates’ names have been read. Thank you in advance for doing your part.
• Take pictures. There will be official Commencement pictures taken (and we ask that you stay clear of the aisles and the stage as your Deac walks across as their name is called). But there will be a million other opportunities to take pictures – of your Deac individually, and as a family, and take plenty of pictures of them with their friends (they will want and need those after graduation).
• Have fun! This is a tremendous accomplishment for your student to be graduating from college. Celebrate! Be excited! Show your pride! Go to the Departmental Open Houses and meet the faculty that made an impression on them. Spend time with your student’s friends and see their ‘chosen family’ they’ve surrounded themselves with at Wake.

Commencement is a big day for your ’26s, and for you!

Enjoy. Every. Moment.