What I REALLY Thought About My Graduation Ceremony

So, yesterday, I finally graduated from Brock University and attained my undergraduate degree. Look, I am very happy that I finally attained a Bachelor's Degree, and the 4 years of hard work finally paid off, but I really have to say something about the actual graduation ceremony that took place yesterday morning. It had to be one of the most boring ceremonies I ever took part in. Time for me to break it down.

The stuff before the graduation ceremony was pretty standard. I walk into the university, I go collect my gown, I stand in a line, and we all walk into the gym where the ceremony is taking place. The seats are all really close together so it was a little bit of a tight squeeze to sit in between two lovely ladies (not that I'm complaining). Once we were all sat down, then came the procession of the faculty and the chancellors of the university where they were wearing these odd-looking robes and hats, like something that was from the medieval times. I know it is tradition, but it just looked a bit ridiculous and it reminded me of how court cases  were carried out in England in the 1400s. I was humming the theme of "The People's Court" at the time.

Once all that ended, the ceremony started with the addresses of the chancellor, vice-chancellor, and various members of the faculty. You know how it is, they start telling their life stories, and offer some pseudo-inspirational bullshit such as "you are the continued life-blood of Brock University" and "you are a shining beacon to the world" (Note: I can't remember what was actually said, as I was probably half-asleep). The addresses, though were meant well, were very mind-numbing and would have put the most energetic child to sleep.

Then finally came the presenting of the degrees to the various graduates, in which they were presented two at a time. Any awards that the new graduates had were also announced. I did feel a bit sorry for the graduates who were partnered up with other graduates who basically had fan sections cheer their hearts out when their name was called, and the other graduate who barely got any applause when their name was called. I thought that the presenting of the degrees was finally a good way to move around after sitting through the insanely boring graduation addresses. When my name was finally announced, all I kept thinking to myself was "don't trip, don't trip", and thankfully, I didn't! Everything went very well.

After that, the chancellor said some parting words, the faculty and graduates proceeded out of the gym, and the ceremony was over. If I were to sum up this graduation ceremony in short, this is what I will say. The graduation ceremony was a wonderful occasion, but going to it felt like a chore. If my parents didn't have a say, I never would have went. I essentially went only because of them.

Side note: I would like to thank everyone who congratulated me on this accomplishment, whether in-person, on my mobile, or through the various social networks. It was a bit rough at times, but it was all worth it for a piece of paper that said I completed something.