Should I walk at graduation or sit this one out?

Question

I'm supposed to graduate from college in May, so I'm probably thinking way too far ahead with this. I'm not sure I want to walk in the ceremony but I feel obligated to walk because of my family. However, my family most likely wouldn't attend the ceremony or would be bored to tears by the whole thing.

The break-down of who would most likely be attending for me:

* 2 sisters & their husbands - most likely wouldn't be able to make it.

* My mother & stepfather - would be bored to tears sitting through the ceremony if they even made it there. She's a skittish driver and they live an hour from my university. Also my step-dad might need to work.

* My grandfather - too ill to go to my sister's house across town, let alone drive an hour away to sit through a few hours of graduation.

* My father & stepmother - I don't have a very good relationship with either of them and my dad would use my grandfather as an excuse to skip my graduation if he couldn't come up with anything better.

* My boyfriend - would be there to show support if he was able, but he would probably rather not sit through a long ceremony even if it was for me. Especially since I don't even want to be there.

Should I just have my diploma mailed to me and skip the ceremony? It's what I want to do, but I'm afraid I might disappoint someone in my family, though I'm not entirely sure who.

Answer 1

Most western universities and colleges will only hand out the qualification if you walk.

They usually do not make the award by post unless there is an exceptional reason such as severe illness and even then they often wait for the person to recover and then attend the next award ceremony!

But you sound as though you did not learn much about life and correct behaviours which usually goes with such study!!

Answer 2

give strong consideration to attending. You might look back on that day and kick your self that you didn't attend, even if you family might be MIA.

if u are sure u don't want to go, you can apply for absentia status and have your degree mailed. i know at my school they charged an extra fee for students who did absentia and decided not to walk.  

Answer 3

If your family won't show up, then maybe you could invite your friends. And like you said, your mom wouldn't mind attending, and I'm sure your boyfriend wouldn't mind either. Plus after graduation you can hang out w/ your friends and take tons of pictures.

Answer 4

WALK!

Answer 5

Walk! With your class mates,this is one thing you can"t do over don't cheat your self out of your day.Doesn't matter who comes,invite them all that you can and do it for yourself.Its very liberating and the real beginning of the rest of your life.Don't sit down on the sidelines!Walk with pride and accomplishment!