Tips to celebrate graduation during COVID-19
A drive-by celebration is one way family and friends can help recognize a grad’s major milestone. (Photo: iStock).
With virtual graduations around the corner for thousands of students across the country, including nearly 7,500 grads at Ryerson, many students and their families may be wondering what they can do, in such an unusual time, to make the day even more special.
“Despite the circumstances of the pandemic, it’s important to do everything we can to recognize and celebrate this incredible academic achievement,” said Kim McDonald, Ryerson’s manager, ceremonials office.
On June 30, beginning at 10 a.m., Ryerson will hold a virtual graduation celebration hosted by RTA School of Media ‘91 graduate Marci Ien. A graduation address with alumni guest and actor Eric McCormack (Theatre, ’85) will also take place, with a virtual coffee with President Mohamed Lachemi and Chancellor Janice Fukakusa to follow. Faculty-specific virtual events will also be held throughout the day.
“We know we can’t replicate the feelings and the joy of an in-person convocation, but we’re trying to give our grads that recognition and celebration as best we can,” McDonald said.
Ryerson psychologist Diana Brecher agrees, and says despite not being able to have a traditional, in-person ceremony, adapting to what’s possible is key.
“We need to say, ‘Well, we can’t do this, but maybe we can do that,” she said.
If you’re a graduate, or if you’re celebrating a graduate, and you’re wondering what you can do to make the day even more special, explore the tips and ideas below:
Tips
Invite friends, family to virtually join you 🖥
If you’re a grad, ask your friends and loved ones to tune into the graduation celebration along with you to share in the experience.
For example, McDonald says during Ryerson’s virtual celebration, the registrar will present the graduates and ask them to rise, if they are able. “Everyone can take part in that moment,” she said.
And, since the celebration is online, it’s a unique chance for anyone, anywhere in the world, to celebrate with you in real time. So if you have family members abroad, send them the link, so they can take part too.
Plan a virtual graduation party 🥂🥮
If you’re graduating, invite your family and friends to join you for a virtual toast. If you’re a loved one of the grad, you could also plan a virtual party for him or her. You could even give speeches and live tributes.
You could also order a grad’s favourite meal, flowers or a treat, and have it delivered to them as a surprise.
Dress up 👗
Grads: Whether you dress up or pick a theme with your friends, wearing something special could help make the day feel even more meaningful.
Family and friends: Grads might feel even more love if they see you dressed up for the occasion – even on a Zoom call or Facetime.
Decorate! 🎈
Family and friends of grads – this one’s for you. Streamers, balloons, lawn signs or ornaments – wherever you are, decorate and make it feel festive. Whether the grad sees your efforts on a video call or in-person, they’ll be touched by your thoughtfulness.
Drive-by celebrations 🚘 🎏
One way to make a grad feel special – decorate your car and drive by the grad’s home. You can have their favourite song playing and shout congratulatory wishes. You can even make a parade out of it by asking friends or loved ones to join you. (You can also walk or bike and do this from the sidewalk.)
Take pictures 📸
Take photos throughout the day. Even if it’s pics of the grad dressed up watching the celebration on a screen, or photos of family and friends raising their glasses on a Zoom call – snapping pics will help capture special moments to look back on.
Share the day on social media
Share your pics of the day on social media! Remember to include the official hashtag: #RUgrad2020. You could be featured on Ryerson’s social media channels (Facebook (external link) , Instagram (external link) and Twitter (external link) ) or in a story on Ryerson Today.
Coordinate with others 💃
Whether you plan a surprise Zoom call, or create a dance you do together virtually, reach out to friends and family of the grad and brainstorm creative ways to make the person feel special.
Video tribute 📹
Ask loved ones to send a video message to celebrate the major milestone. Compile the clips together and surprise the grad with a special video on graduation day. It will also serve as a celebratory keepsake for years to come.
Create photo albums or digital yearbook 🖼
Friends or family can surprise the grad with a photo album to help commemorate their academic achievements or life journey. This could be everything from baby pics to photos with their best friends.
Grads can also come together with friends and classmates to create photo albums of special times, or consider making a digital yearbook to capture fond memories.
Make a playlist 🎵
Are there certain songs you and your friends always listened to during your time at university? Grads can also make a playlist to share with each other and play throughout graduation day. Friends and family members can also surprise grads with a playlist of their favourite songs.
Connect, reflect, say farewell
Experts also recommend that grads take the time to connect with those who have made a difference in their lives during their university experience. For example, if you’re a graduate, you could plan virtual coffee chats to thank your favourite professors, or send cards of appreciation to those who made an impact. Without the usual ways to do this in-person, such expressions can help bring recognition that a significant chapter is coming to an end, help with closure, and ease the transition.
For Ryerson Journalism ’20 graduate Raizel Harjosubroto, connecting with close friends to reflect on their university experiences was important. They planned a virtual dinner together, in which they dressed up and talked about their journeys.
“Our experiences were all so different, but we’re all feeling the same thing,” she said. “Coming together like that was really nice.”
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