Friday, September 01, 2006

Graduation

And just to round off what has been the weirdest of bizarre weeks, I graduated last night.

I didn't want to go, as I think the whole graduation ceremony thing is a total waste of time (the university trying to extort even more money out of us for tickets, the tacky souvenirs, the fact that it's a YEAR since I handed my dissertation in, NINE months since I got my MA results and SIX months since they posted the certificate to me, made me wonder what the point of going to the ceremony was. As I was part-time and took an extra year to finish I also didn't know anybody else graduating at the same time as me.)

I can't remember what the tickets cost, but it was a lot. Plus train tickets for me and Mum to London, a hotel room for Mum and food. I had to get all garbed in an awful polyester gown and hood, with a mortarboard thing too (utterly pointless as you don't wear them at all, thank goodness).

There were about 60 of us in each year of my MA but only about 20 people went to the ceremony, the other sensible folk stayed away. I wasn't the only one who thought the whole thing was awful. We had to watch a video presentation just before the ceremony started, all about what a wonderful time we'd had at UCL and how pleased we must be we'd chosen to come there (I didn't choose to go there, it's the only Librarianship MA in the country that teaches anything about Special Collection & Rare Books!). Just about everyone was in fits of laughter over the video, as it was so corny. Then we each had to walk across the stage, shake hands with the Provost and return to your seat and then go along to a reception afterwards. And that was it. We already had our certificates (SIX months ago!).
Anyway, I successfully avoided joining the UCL Alumni network (grim thought), prevented Mum from buying a DVD/signed programme/engraved cut-glass souvenir vase/t shirt with the names of people I didn't know on, plus piles more of other tat. I did let her take some pics with an ordinary camera, but pointed out how overpriced the official photographer was, so managed to dissuade her from that one too. Still, she seemed to enjoy the whole escapade, which was the main thing.

And no, I didn't actually knit in the ceremony, although I'd hidden my knitting under the bat wing gown just in case!

16 comments:

Mary Anne said...

Daisy,
just think, you have the memories of this day to retell to the next generation :) I'm glad your mom enjoyed it and I think it was so good of you to go through this ordeal for her. I love the ball of yarn in your photo!

T said...

Yay! Yes, I think it's for the mums really, all this ceremony stuff ;o)

Rosie said...

Congratualtions, Daisy MA. Knitting inside gown sleeves, wish I'd thought of that! I did my MA grad ceremony just for my parents' sake.

Anonymous said...

And I always thought that MA gown sleeves were so big so you could steal bread in them - but no - it's to hide the knitting...

MissLucy said...

I clicked the UCL link, and the first picture was a picture of a yarn stash!! I think you did choose to go there!!!

susoolu said...

But congratulations none the less - and if you think you can escape your Alma Mater, guess which Uni I went to!

And now, I challenge you to knit Monkey a set of graduation robes - he would look so spiffy.

Seahorse said...

Ah well, congratulations anyway! I'm glad your Mum enjoyed it :) Well done on avoiding the Alumni Association. Mine has been hunting me down ever since I graduated 16 years ago - you'd think moving four times would have shaken them off wouldn't you? Not a chance! Lol!

KnitYoga said...

congratulations! Well, at least having gone, you had the experience and your Mum enjoyed it.

Badger said...

Hey, congratulations! I didn't bother going to my PGCE graduation as it seemed a total waste of time to me. And at my BA grad, the vice chancellor basically advertised Barclays bank for half an hour - most uninspiring. Still, it's all for the parents really, and glad your mum enjoyed it :)

Piglottie said...

Congratulations Daisy! Have to agree though, its one of those things thats more for mums and families. I didn't go to my undergraduate graduation and actually regret it now, so I'm sure you will be pleased about it in the future. Nice knitting graduation pic though, much better than the boring official ones!

My Five Sons said...

Congradulations,I bet your Mum was pleased to see you doing the formal bit anyway!!!!

dreamcatcher said...

Congratulations! Was the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall by any chance? I went to one of the London Uni colleges too, some years ago I might add, and our ceremony was there. Kudos for taking yarn and needles with you :-)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and I think it's great you went to the ceremony. I didn't go to mine, and I really regret it now, first and foremost, because it didn't allow my bursting-with-pride parents to burst with pride, and also it doesn't give me, sixteen years later, a wonderful anecdote for those awkward moments at parties. Seriously, congratulations on a wonderful academic achievement and great photos!

happyspider said...

congratulations daisy!!!

acrylik said...

Congratulations! Great graduation picture!

Anonymous said...

Well done for graduating!! Hopefully my turn next!