Changes
A week full of changes. Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for May 20th, 2005
Columbia Graduation Tips
I’ve watched two and been through one. Here’s what I’ve learned about the CC/SEAS graduation experience.
- Bring sunblock and water (graduates and audience) — all ceremonies take place outdoors at peak sun hours. Elderly and those with weak constitutions should take advantage of the special viewing areas set aside for such concerns.
- Explore your seating options (audience) — Everyone always packs into the west side of South Lawn. Unbeknownst to many, the east side is also available and always has prime available seating against the hedgerows.
- Pre-arrange meet times (graduates) — On Class Day, fix a time and location at which point after the ceremony your friends can coalesce and take pictures together. Without a pre-arranged time, you will not be able to find everyone you may want to take pictures with. There are thousands of people wandering and milling about.
- Get some rest (graduates) — The entire week of Class Day and Commencement ceremonies is grueling. Pick your “going-out” nights carefully. Between being out in the sun all day (which is always strangely draining), you are also in the process of packing 4 years of acquired crap, and possibly running around doing errands like apartment hunting for post-graduate life. Get your sleep when you can. Only go out and drink away when you are in the clear or when it’s one of those “last ever…” situations