By Katie Finnegan
Friday 21st October
I haven’t really given my graduation much thought, or at least I hadn’t until today. I was in two minds as to whether or not I’d even go, after all as I’d heard a countless number of times, it was ‘only arts’. However, I decided to go anyway and see what it was all about, have no new outfit or anything though. Met a few friends today, one of them, Laura is also graduating on Monday. She’s booked in for her hair and make up, has a cake ordered, dinner booked and was shopping for her ‘graduation present’. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe this is more of a big deal than I thought. I’m working all weekend though, so no time to go shopping for anything new. Don’t know what I’m going to do!
Saturday 22nd October
Well I was working all day today so I didn’t have time to go into town and have a look around for anything to wear, but I’m sure I have something at home. Also, up until now I was happy to do my own hair and make up, but I hurt my finger and I’m finding it hard to do everything so I don’t know how I’m going to curl my own hair. I guess I can try and do it myself. Going to have to get up really early because the graduation ceremony is on at 11.
Sunday 23rd October
At seven O’Clock I decided I should probably pick a dress for tomorrow. Not my best idea. There’s only one I had in mind, the one I wore for my 21st 2 weeks ago but I never checked to see if it was clean. There was a big stain down the front where I’d spilled something. Ran down to mom who said she’ll do her best to have it ready for tomorrow. I hope she does or I’m not sure what I’m going to do!
Monday 24th October
Well today was D-Day. I got up at 8 and made an attempt to curl my hair, although I wasn’t happy with it – nothing new there. The dress was fine thank god, all evidence of my carelessness had vanished. The whole family was ready and lined up to leave at ten and as dad struggled to find parking in NUIG, mom and I went in search of the black gown I’d waited 3 years to wear. We queued for a while behind others like me and I was robed up just like everyone else. I even put on the cap – sexist and all as it is! By the time all of that was done, Dad and my brother Aidan had showed up and we decided it would be best to have our photos taken before the ceremony to avoid the rush that would inevitably come after the conferrals.
What came next was confusing and disorganized! We checked for our seat numbers and then were directed to go upstairs to wait. We waited and waited and an hour later were told to go back down and given new seat numbers! As it was an arts graduation, there was 3 timeslots for the day 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Unfortunately this meant that I knew nobody and was sitting in a row of other Finnegans I’d never met before!
The ceremony was shorter than I thought and as I sat twiddling my thumbs and rearranging my hat (that was far too big for my small head). There were many speeches and more Latin before they started to call people up to the top, one by one. I hadn’t given a thought to walking to the top and shaking Jim Browne’s hand. However, as my row was beckoned up, my stomach flipped and I didn’t know where to look! I was terrified! It was over as quickly as it started and before I knew it, I was standing outside the hall looking for my family. I found them eventually where dad presented me with an NUIG graduation teddy.
Many photographs ensued as many photographers rushed over to take our photo. Unfortunately, I’m skeptical as to whether it was me or my father they really wanted a photo of! At half one, the next batch of students had started to arrive and after I had handed back my robe we set sail for lunch in the huntsman. It was a lovely excuse to get together as a family as we’re all so busy with our individual lives. On top of that, I don’t think I can remember a time before now when Dad took a day off from his show, so that was a good feeling.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the day, and the best part? I get to do it all again next year!
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