Things You Should do to Prepare for College Graduation
With senior year of college flying by and graduation looming over you, it feels a little overwhelming. After all, we are finally starting a new chapter of life as a college graduate and entering the ‘real world’. As exciting as it may be, this time can also feel like something is missing. It can’t be over just like that… right? I am graduating in just a few short weeks, and this has been my struggle. Luckily, I have been able to use the many resources offered at DePaul to my advantage so that when I am done with classes, there is nothing left for me to complete! With that, here are some small things that you might not think about when you are a senior- but ones that you definitely should keep an eye out for!
1. Transfer Important Documents from your College Drive/Outlook Account to a personal account.
Depending on your university, it is likely that after graduating, your college Google Drive or Microsoft accounts will be archived. I know that personally, most of my assignments from courses are directly applicable as reference material for my portfolio- so I would hate to lose them! You can demonstrate your skills, growth, and experience through coursework samples. These are just as impactful in the job search as internship references! I have tried to do this manually which was painstaking, so I would recommend instead to use Google Takeout. With this tool, you can directly transfer ownership of Google files from one Google account to another. For OneDrive, you can use “Mover with OneDrive” where you can transfer the files into a new OneDrive personal account. Trust me, it is a terrible feeling to go scrolling through your documents trying to find an old assignment only to realize that it is gone forever.
2. Apply for Graduation and RSVP for Commencement
I had no idea that you needed to apply for graduation until I got an email from my advisor a few months ago. For some reason, I assumed that it was just a given- but that is not the case! For DePaul students, you need to go onto Campus Connect to apply for graduation, where your advisor will review your progress to ensure that you have completed all requirements to be eligible for graduation. Additionally, the Commencement Ceremony (where you walk across the stage and receive your diploma) is a separate event. Make sure that you RSVP to ensure that your name is recognized and so you can receive tickets for family to experience that moment with you! I also applied for a ticket lottery to get extra guest tickets, so that can help avert any family drama crises.
3. Complete Exit Loan Counseling
For those of you who have participated in student loans to support your college education on a financial level, you will need to complete loan counseling. I received an email from the US Department of Education reminding me of this task. One key thing to remember is to link your University as a receiver of your results! This way, you are recognized as having completed the counseling- which is often mandatory to support student financial success post-grad. The counseling took under thirty minutes to complete, so I recommend getting it done as soon as you get the email! It offers vital information about how loan payments work so that you are informed enough to make a decision best suited to your needs.
4. Order Your Cap and Gown
I am graduating after the Winter Quarter, but I still plan to officially walk and attend the Commencement Ceremony with the Spring Quarter Graduates. Luckily, DePaul hosted a Graduate Commencement Fair this February. At the event, I was able to pick up my cap and gown early, which is nice to plan for graduation pictures. Depending on your university, you will either be expected to purchase or rent your cap and gown. It is often required to be able to walk at the Commencement Ceremony! I did not think that picking up my graduate attire would be sentimental, but I definitely felt the bittersweetness when I put it on for the first time. College flies by so fast and getting your cap and gown makes the ending feel so real. Make sure that you do not forget to order it!
5. Explore Alumni Opportunities and Resources
Your time as an undergraduate college student might be coming to an end, but you are not completely cut off from your university once you get your diploma! I was shocked to see how many resources are available for alumni. For example, DePaul’s Career Center has an open door policy for alumni. They are always welcome to get any kind of help or counseling from the center- regardless of how many years it has been since they graduated. Additionally, you can utilize college alumni connections to support your career, community, and future path. Explore the different services offered by your university to see your options as an alumni. I guarantee that there is a lot more to access than you might think! You can also connect with University Counseling to work through any fears about transitioning into post-grad life. It is an overwhelming time for a lot of people but talking it out can help to alleviate anxieties and prepare you for the next steps. Take it one day at a time and know that you will always have a sea of alumni that will have your back!
These tasks might seem like a given, but the deadlines are sooner than you would expect! It is important to have a plan and get those things finished early. That way, you can spend your last few weeks of college enjoying the memories, experiencing college life, and relishing in the joy of having achieved this impressive accomplishment. You are heading into a bright future and despite the nerves of leaving college, you will do amazing- so do not worry!
~Breanne