Who is graduation for?

So its graduation season...yes season because there are so many of them.

Whether it be from 6th grade, high school, or college, the graduation ceremony is usually "for" someone.

In college I realized that you have the option of not walking...aka not crossing the stage in front of everyone to show off all your hard work...This idea is rather foreign to me.

Something else you should probably know as I write this is that I am graduating late: in December. My school does not have a ceremony in December. To "walk" I would have to come back in May. People keep asking me if I'm going to walk...Yes, and I will be walking for myself!

but first, let's look at this...

Graduations are for the family of the person graduating. They put up with a lot of stuff to get you where you are. They helped you study, put up with your stress, calmed you down, proof read your papers, heck they memorized multiplication tables with you (maybe even for 3 summers in a row). Some parent also spent a FORTUNE on your education...private school, college tuition, tutors? If your parents paid for you...shoot you owe it to them to walk across the stage so they can get all proud and teary eyed...they've earned it!

Graduations are for friends. Graduations are a time of celebration! Its a time when everyone can get together and celebrate each other. Its a time of good byes and wishing each other good luck. Graduation provides closure...

Graduations are for the individual. Come on, as a student you worked hard to get to that point. Show it to the world. Shake some hands, wear a silly looking hood, maybe even a few cords...show yourself off! School is hard; papers, tests, professors who dislike your writing style...listen learning is tough work and after all of that, a little recognition is nice.

...ok so why will I come back and walk next May? ...why didn't I just walk with my Associates Degree?

I will be walking for myself. Yes, I will also be walking for my family, and my friends...but in quite a large part I am walking for myself. College has been quite the roller coaster ride. I have worked hard to pay for school by myself, I have worked hard to get decent grades, I have worked hard to complete the Honors Program...its been rough...blood, sweat, and tears literally went into this education! I will be walking to show that I will have finally done it! Finally graduated. This graduation will be for me.

It will also be for my family. Shoot my family has certainly put up with so much garbage from me about school. Plus I know my parents would love to come out for it; show their support and get to see their daughter walk across the stage get a fancy folder, move a tassel and take a picture in front of tons of people.

My graduation will also be for my teachers and my professors. They have worked so hard with me to get me where I am. It would clearly be impossible to have a graduation without the teachers! I have had some particularly excellent teachers and professors, and without them I wouldn't graduate.

So you see, graduation, even when it is mainly for you...is not just for you. So many people had something to do with your education. Graduations are celebrations for all of academia!