With graduation just around the corner (for both college and high school graduates…but mine being college), I am realizing that not only is this a celebration, but just another expense to add to mine (or my parents) credit cards!!
I was surpised how quickly all the expenses add up…and how I always thought of graduation as a celebration, not really as a time to spend a lot of money. I suppose high school is a little different, graduation just kind of happens and your parents deal with the money aspect of things. But college is a little bit different, there are the parties, the celebrating at bars, senior week, the drinks…you name it the expenses just keep on coming!
Here are a few things I have realized in the past few weeks:
1. Cost of Cap and Gown — In high school we didn’t have to BUY our cap and gowns…they were given to us on “loan” and the tassle was FREE! Nope…that definately is not the case with college. A basic package of cap, gown, annoucements, and your tassle at Boston University cost $85.00!…what a bummer! When am I EVER going to wear my cap and gown again? I mean come on!
2. Adding a Frame to your Basic Package — The frame for your diplomas were nice, I will give BU that. But I mean come on, over $200 for a frame with the BU crest on it. I thought that was a little bit excessive. I figured I would just get mine framed once I received it.
3. Cost of Dinner and Celebration — This my parents will pay for for the obvious reasons…its my celebration I suppose and they want to be a part of this. But with 7 people attending this dinner, drinks, appetizers, you name it…the price will definately add up!
4. Cost of “Senior Week” — This is fun! And actually, the prices weren’t so bad. Senior week in total probably cost me about $150, but we are doing some really fun things. Martha’s Vineyard trip, Mogegan Sun, Jake Ivory’s (I highly recommend this Piano bar…it’s near Fenway Park and it really is just amazing), and we are also doing a few other trips as well, all at a reasonable cost. But the catch is…NO DRINKS INCLUDED! That kinda puts the cost of these trips up a little bit. Besides our “Champagne Reception”…drinks are not included at any of the other events…we shall see what my bill accumulates to after that week is over.
I think the costs are definately worth it though! This is a once in a lifetime thing. I won’t be graduating from college again…and this achievement is much greater than high school. I just can’t believe 4 years has gone by so fast. I’m sure many of you are stuck in the same predicament…where the heck did the time go? And can’t I just live this lifestyle for a little bit longer!?
haha, really the answer is nope! After you walk across that stage…it really is time for the real world! But don’t worry…”Work Hard, Play Hard” is how I think of it! Don’t look at this as the end of all your fun, its just another stage in life with more fun to come! 
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(Image by Heather)
April 21st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Congratulations, Hannah! Yes, more fun to come. It’s good to be thrifty, but, don’t let that interfere with taking a moment to really celebrate a milestone. Hooray!
April 24th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Great topic Hannah.
I just received a bill in the mail for $185.00 from Sarah Lawrence College for ‘Graduation Fee Graduate’. I, like you, also get to keep my cap, gown, and tassle. Insert glee here?
I have not asked any of the undergrads if they also have this expense. Yet.
It seems to me that the more sustainable decision would be to require the cap and gown to be returned for later use. At a large institution returns could get pretty hairy but it seems that schools are trying to find opportunities to green their ccampus. It feels like this is an obvious opportunity missed.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
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