While waiting in the huge line looking towards the person with the microphone, your heart
pounds nervously and you listen for your name. Finally, you’re next and all eyes are on you.
After receiving your diploma, congratulatory handshakes and an enthusiastic round of applause,
the moment ends and you walk off the stage.
For some students, commencement doesn’t seem to be a big deal. A ceremonial recognition
of one’s four-year achievement seems unnecessary compared to landing a job in one’s field,
making it to graduate school or spending time with friends before parting ways.
I can’t disagree with this way of thinking. In an economy like ours, with jobs scarce and loans
accumulating, I realize how difficult it is to find work after graduation. It makes sense that
students may focus more of their attention on finding a job than a commencement ceremony.
After spending four years with the same people, friends and roommates, it’s hard to say
goodbye. I have a long list of people I’m going to miss terribly after I leave Buffalo State,
including some professors. Many students would probably prefer a few beers with friends one
last time to sitting through a two-hour long ceremony.
But to me, commencement is more than recognition of the work I’ve done over the past four
years. It’s more than showing off your degree, achievements or talent for walking across a stage
in four-inch heels.
The commencement ceremony will be a celebration of the past four years of my life, including
my friends, family and anyone who played a major role in my education. It’s the last hurrah,
goodbye and thank you to people and places I’ve come to love and appreciate over the course
of those four years.
I know many seniors can’t wait to be finished with school and say they won’t miss it. I can’t
pretend to be so indifferent. I’m going to miss this place, these people, my classes, college
culture and the entire Buffalo State community.
I’ve made a lot of memories here at Buff State. Without participating in the commencement
ceremony, I don’t know if I would have closure to the ending four-year relationship with our
campus community that’s become such a big part of my life.
Not all memories are pleasant. This could be fighting in Y lot over a parking spot, getting stuck
in Upton’s revolving door or getting my first ever C in a class. However, now that it’s over, those
memories become bittersweet, as corny as it may seem.
Before my years at Buffalo State I was educated at home. After completing all 12 years, I chose
to not participate in a commencement ceremony held for homeschoolers throughout Western
New York.
Although I don’t necessarily regret that decision, I would still like to fully experience
commencement while I still have the opportunity. I don’t want to miss out on that final memory of
Buffalo State, when the hats are thrown and the crowd cheers for the Class of 2013.
Katie Anderson can be reached by email at anderson.record@live.com.