After waiting four years to finish my degree and enter the workforce, the time has come for me to graduate. Seniors of 2023 are graduating in early May, right after finals. Undergraduate seniors received their commencement invitations during spring break.
When I received the email, I was ecstatic, jumping around and screaming that my invitation finally came to graduate.
Ashley Diaz, senior communication major, gets her photos taken for graduation. COURTESY OF REINALEIDY CAIROS.
Last time I was this excited was when I got accepted into NSU. Students were to RSVP to commencement and buy their caps and gowns and possibly other accessories, like stoles. It was very costly but worth it. It’s not every day you graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. Students are able to pick up their regalia for commencement in April at the NSU Shark Store.
Commencement is open to the public alongside students’ friends and family, so the amount of guests is unlimited. It could cause a problem when the arena is full, but some students’ families are not able to get a seat because it is a first come, first served basis.
NSU recommends families arrive an hour before commencement starts in order to be guaranteed a seat. The families of the students graduating should take top priority.
NSU should give limited tickets to students to guarantee they have seats. Even if there are some people who won’t be able to get seated or are unable to attend their student’s commencement, NSU will livestream the event. I would be upset if my family couldn’t come because the arena was full and they were subjected to watch the livestream. I would want them to be a part of this milestone in my life in person and not on a screen.
There are many events seniors can attend during the winter semester. It is my last year at NSU, and I am going to take advantage of any event that commemorates and celebrates undergraduate seniors. We deserve to celebrate everything we have done and sacrificed to graduate from NSU, so I plan to attend every event.
On March 23, the NSU bookstore hosted the Grad Festival. I attended to take pictures and buy more accessories for commencement day. When I got the announcement for Grad Festival, I was very excited, but the reality was a little disappointing. I don’t know what I expected from the festival, but I expected it to be like other events that NSU throws. I did have a good time with my family, but I expected more out of it.
Toward the end of April, Campus Life and Student Engagement will be hosting Senior Week. It is a week filled with so many activities to celebrate the seniors’ accomplishments, and I cannot wait to attend.
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