Recent years have seen modest celebrations for the class of Covid-19, as thousands of students have been forced to postpone, cancel, or, even more depressingly, virtually attend their graduations. While there’s nothing wrong with a remote mortar board throwing (via a Zoom link so unstable it could rival your final-year mental health), it’s time to celebrate in style in a post-pandemic world.
Whether you have already received your certificate or are anticipating doing so in the not-too-distant future, the following are three methods to celebrate your accomplishments and recognise this historic milestone.
1. Frame your degree certificate
A great deal of blood, sweat, and tears — or tequila, if you were that kind of student — went into earning your degree. Your certificate represents much more than your final grade or academic prowess, but your effort and dedication to your field, as well as who you became as a person over the course of your studies. So, whether you have a doctorate, masters, or a humble undergraduate degree, one essential way to celebrate graduating is to relish your achievements and display your certificate in its rightful glory by framing it.
You can, of course, do this yourself, but keep in mind that this is one of the most significant and expensive documents that you’ll ever own, and damage to it is irreparable. This is where professional framers can help, as they will ensure your degree remains in first-class shape. London-based company Soho Frames, for example, uses durable and premium materials, “from the woods and mounts to the glass, guaranteeing the highest-quality framing service.”
2. Enjoy a relaxing spa day
Although university is often referred to as “the happiest years of your life,” the reality is that juggling years of late-night library sessions, freaky flatmates, and truly terrible Tinder dates can be challenging. So, if you, like many students, struggled to practise self-care and prioritise your own mental and physical well-being at university, now is the time to start.
A spa day is a great way to relax after studies and give yourself a well-deserved treat. And, with so many affordable spa days available across the UK, this is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends and allow for your post-dissertation stresses to be exfoliated away into oblivion.
If you’re still on a student budget (and let’s be honest, who isn’t these days?), a spa day in the comfort of your own home is a great way to unwind and rejuvenate. You only need to get the essentials and make sure the atmosphere is just right by lighting candles and playing calming music to have some quality time with friends at a fraction of the cost.
3. Throw one final house party
Many university graduates look back on their first house party with fondness, recalling the Apple Sourz-scented cloud of freedom that marked the passage from adolescence to adulthood. Whether you spent yours working the DJ decks or awkwardly discussing your A-Level results, there is simply no better way to celebrate graduating than throwing one last hurrah.
It’s not necessary to break the bank in order to throw a great house party, but with everyone wanting to celebrate at the same time, it can be difficult to coordinate. For this reason, it might be a good idea to hold a joint gathering with other grads in order to create a lively atmosphere worthy of any freshers week, while keeping costs low.
Consider theming the party or focusing it on your collective university experiences with plenty of photographs, first-year playlists, and food from your favourite dodgy take-away — anything that keeps nostalgia flowing and the mood high.