Its graduation season and I start off with a big congratulations to all those graduates, graduates to be and soon to be graduates,I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors with hope and prayers that you find what you seek for. May God guide your path, please do good with what you have learnt and your talent for it will help the world be a better place and you too.
Remember, you owe it to yourself to make the rest of your life the best of your life no matter the setbacks or mistakes.
Its your big day and you have probably spent all your school years dreaming of this day but what you should realize is anything can go wrong hence you need to plan properly and that is what this post is about.Please keep in mind some graduation ceremonies takes place in the evenings too so try and alter some tips to it.
Preparation is paramount and should be given priority above everything else as it sets the pace for other t hings to fall in line. Like the saying goes ''if you fail to plan then you plan to fail'. If you love procrastination then this is not the place to apply such as you will leave a lot of important things out. To be prepared plan your activities and duties ahead of time, this includes getting all your documents ready ahead of time in case the school needs them e.g your past results,clearance,id card,registration number etc. Be specific on what you want for your ceremony also make a to do list months or weeks before but I assume you might have exams to even be thinking of grad at that period but if you remember anything write it quickly. Most institutions give students time to prepare for graduation so use this time and make your list,checking them as you go along. First tip to get prepared is book things ahead of time and things you can possibly book are listed below;
Gowns and payments: I know you can't book payment but you can book things early with payments. After getting all necessary documents it is important that you pay for everything that needs to be paid for so you can book an early space and get that out of the way. Book your graduation gown if you need to or pay as early as possible if you need to. Keep all your receipts and photocopies intact so you can provide them immediately if there is a need for it.
Pictures : Most institutions expect students to book pictures at or before the graduation ceremony which comes free or requires payment. Sometimes it is fun using a school photographer as they have been in the business very long and they have most of the props needed for a good picture. You can also book a photographer but this might not be cost savvy , if this is the case and you prefer taking one when you get to the ceremony my advice will be to always take one immediately you get there all fresh, prim and proper. Photographers have enough time to take several shots at the start as most graduates are still on their way so you have time to get a proper picture taken. My advice will be (especially for my naija people) is to haggle price first before picture o or else photographer will over charge you.lol Haggle the price of different packages e.g framing,large picture and all that before taking a picture so you can make proper yanga and leave :p or sometimes the opposite might be the best, haggling after the picture is taken whatever the case just haggle and if you can't then let mother step in you will be surprised at the magic that will take place hahaha. Hire a photographer or buy your pictures after the ceremony, photographers take pictures of every graduating student on the podium and during the walk in. The most important pictures are the ones with family/friends/tutors, personal picture and certificate collection, once you have these you are sorted, all other ones are luxury. Most importantly no matter how many photographers you book or feel will take your picture, get your family and friends to be on standby to capture great moments,this is a good fallback and you might just prefer theirs.
Tickets and family arrangements should be booked on time: Some Institutions let you book tickets for you and your family members online, some have limited number of tickets for who you are allowed to bring along say; 2 tickets/family member per graduate. These tickets (for family members)sell out very fast so book them on time and if anything unexpected comes up and they can't make it, sell your tickets at a reduced price as there are always lots of students looking for sold out tickets or if you do not get yours on time then check for those selling tickets too. Make arrangements for your family/friends if they are travelling down so they can be comfortable ,brief them on what they need to do when they come, where to sit for those who you booked tickets for and those you didn't and if you want to take pictures with them at the start or end, most often than not our friends and family show up and do not know where to sit because we are either so busy we are not present or we are trying to sort things out last minute. Your family /friends are willing to ease your burden so let them handle things they can but make sure they enjoy themselves too.
Entertainment: We all love to do something extra special and celebrate important days with food,drinks and confectioneries and graduation is a ceremony that is no exception . Entertainment for your special day can be done in different ways,most of which I will list and you can choose which is best for you.
Dining: This includes going to a restaurant,diner,pub,buffet etc. The idea behind dining is that there is no hassle of cooking and making sure all things are in order, the only thing you might have to do is simply book your restaurant and tables before the day so the restaurant can plan ahead. This is not necessary but it is a safe way to go as most restaurants might be booked by other graduating students or other events, when booking it is better to book extra tables than the exact amount of guest you are expecting (unless you are paying per booked table). Taking your guests out is hassle free but might just be the most expensive form of entertainment because you cannot control your guests order unless it's a buffet or it is pay for yourself situation (my naija people will not understand this one, pay for yourself Ko pay for yasef ni, I wee just buy rice and eat at home,this method of pay for yourself will not work in naija as it is not our thing so take note).
Catering: could be cooking by yourself or hiring a caterer or family and friends to do the job. It is always best to book ahead of time, stating what exactly you want and working in accordance with your budget. Communicate your preference with your caterer /whoever is cooking for you. Let them know if you will like jollof/fried/white rice, type of sauce, do you want moin.moin (beans pudding) , should the protein be beef chicken egg goat etc, plantains, peppersoup,salad/coleslaw, small chops/finger food(includes samosas,buns,puff puff,chin chin,pastry rolls of any kind,meat pie of any kind, cheese and fruit kebab or any kebab) sandwiches, alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks or both and the list goes on and on. Make your budget known and discuss with the caterer what he/she can do for you if you are way over your budget, for example a small change like moin moin with no egg, choosing just one protein, no coleslaw or salad can make a big difference in the budget, make sure you haggle well and also remember to always keep vegetarians on mind when planning any event at all.
You must have read that catering bit and said to yourself, "why don't I just go to asda love,betcha I could feed 40 people with a tenner". No problem! Organizing a dinner can also be easy and cost effective doing it yourself but let me warn you the hassle and stress!! Wooh!. When organizing your own entertainment /dinner it is advisable to buy everything ahead of time and if you want to cook then do that and preserve it for later. Another thing you could do is use the help of family or/and friends to help you with preparation or setting of tables while you are having your ceremony.
If you cannot be bothered about all the above then you can go the simple way; Pizza!! Yes! take out,good wine and company is a great combo! and all you need is probably a phone call away.
Some institutions provides food for graduates and if this is the case then that is good.
Cake:There is a saying that a get together without cake is like a meeting so I am guessing that might apply here I put the word might as this is not necessary.Having a cake to celebrate is a luxurious choice. It is great ,sweet and you get to write your name on a juicy dessert! Like food this should be booked very early too with details and possibly pictures of what you want.
Souvenirs are a great part of keeping graduation memories in your mind your classmates' and friends minds. We love making these in Nigeria to give out during graduation, it includes books, pens, cups, plates, pens etcetera. In terms of booking,souvenirs are very flexible as it can be booked and done before time. Use a great picture and try out one print out before deciding on the rest of the print out so you do not get disappointed.
Book a sitter: Do you have a baby/babies and need them looked after during your ceremony? book a baby sitter or ask the help of a friend/spouse/family member ahead of time. If you are still breastfeeding then pump before the ceremony and give it to the sitter, don't forget to pack diaper,cloth bags and all.If a sitter might disappoint or you do not agree with the idea then look for a close by daycare or one run by the institution and also state your concerns to the authority of the school about the care of your baby if they do not run a daycare. Babies get very restless and bored and this might be the case during the ceremony and if your baby fidgets or start crying you cannot concentrate on the ceremony a 100%,
Pregnant graduate: If you are heavily pregnant or just generally pregnant I advice you notify the institution and make arrangements for your needs. Sitting close to an exit is safe as you can go out easily in case you need to.
Disability graduates: Make all plans with your institution and let them know your situation so they can cater to your needs to your utmost comfort.
Beauty regime: Consists of make up, hair, nails, tan, teeth, eyes and all that hassle we love doing to look beautiful and appear all glam. Any beauty regime should be booked and done on time, some might need to be done days before your graduation and some on that day. I am a make up artist and over the years I have had experience with last minute bookings literally and I have no problem as these things come up but my advice is that you give your make up artist time to get your face properly done and your stylists too. For those that want sew ins, corn rows and any hair that might be a bit painful get it done a week before so your caps do not hurt,hair cuts should be done a bit early too and for my gals that love a tan glow for that day, it should be done days before so there are no transfers or stains. No matter how lovely you want to look just be safe and do what suits you.
I hope you guys enjoyed this post and learn a thing or two. Once again congratulations!
Be sure to check my youtube page: fabbydeinma
For make up bookings contact me at : fabbydeinma@gmail.com.
Remember, you owe it to yourself to make the rest of your life the best of your life no matter the setbacks or mistakes.
Its your big day and you have probably spent all your school years dreaming of this day but what you should realize is anything can go wrong hence you need to plan properly and that is what this post is about.Please keep in mind some graduation ceremonies takes place in the evenings too so try and alter some tips to it.
Preparation is paramount and should be given priority above everything else as it sets the pace for other t hings to fall in line. Like the saying goes ''if you fail to plan then you plan to fail'. If you love procrastination then this is not the place to apply such as you will leave a lot of important things out. To be prepared plan your activities and duties ahead of time, this includes getting all your documents ready ahead of time in case the school needs them e.g your past results,clearance,id card,registration number etc. Be specific on what you want for your ceremony also make a to do list months or weeks before but I assume you might have exams to even be thinking of grad at that period but if you remember anything write it quickly. Most institutions give students time to prepare for graduation so use this time and make your list,checking them as you go along. First tip to get prepared is book things ahead of time and things you can possibly book are listed below;
Gowns and payments: I know you can't book payment but you can book things early with payments. After getting all necessary documents it is important that you pay for everything that needs to be paid for so you can book an early space and get that out of the way. Book your graduation gown if you need to or pay as early as possible if you need to. Keep all your receipts and photocopies intact so you can provide them immediately if there is a need for it.
Pictures : Most institutions expect students to book pictures at or before the graduation ceremony which comes free or requires payment. Sometimes it is fun using a school photographer as they have been in the business very long and they have most of the props needed for a good picture. You can also book a photographer but this might not be cost savvy , if this is the case and you prefer taking one when you get to the ceremony my advice will be to always take one immediately you get there all fresh, prim and proper. Photographers have enough time to take several shots at the start as most graduates are still on their way so you have time to get a proper picture taken. My advice will be (especially for my naija people) is to haggle price first before picture o or else photographer will over charge you.lol Haggle the price of different packages e.g framing,large picture and all that before taking a picture so you can make proper yanga and leave :p or sometimes the opposite might be the best, haggling after the picture is taken whatever the case just haggle and if you can't then let mother step in you will be surprised at the magic that will take place hahaha. Hire a photographer or buy your pictures after the ceremony, photographers take pictures of every graduating student on the podium and during the walk in. The most important pictures are the ones with family/friends/tutors, personal picture and certificate collection, once you have these you are sorted, all other ones are luxury. Most importantly no matter how many photographers you book or feel will take your picture, get your family and friends to be on standby to capture great moments,this is a good fallback and you might just prefer theirs.
Tickets and family arrangements should be booked on time: Some Institutions let you book tickets for you and your family members online, some have limited number of tickets for who you are allowed to bring along say; 2 tickets/family member per graduate. These tickets (for family members)sell out very fast so book them on time and if anything unexpected comes up and they can't make it, sell your tickets at a reduced price as there are always lots of students looking for sold out tickets or if you do not get yours on time then check for those selling tickets too. Make arrangements for your family/friends if they are travelling down so they can be comfortable ,brief them on what they need to do when they come, where to sit for those who you booked tickets for and those you didn't and if you want to take pictures with them at the start or end, most often than not our friends and family show up and do not know where to sit because we are either so busy we are not present or we are trying to sort things out last minute. Your family /friends are willing to ease your burden so let them handle things they can but make sure they enjoy themselves too.
Entertainment: We all love to do something extra special and celebrate important days with food,drinks and confectioneries and graduation is a ceremony that is no exception . Entertainment for your special day can be done in different ways,most of which I will list and you can choose which is best for you.
Dining: This includes going to a restaurant,diner,pub,buffet etc. The idea behind dining is that there is no hassle of cooking and making sure all things are in order, the only thing you might have to do is simply book your restaurant and tables before the day so the restaurant can plan ahead. This is not necessary but it is a safe way to go as most restaurants might be booked by other graduating students or other events, when booking it is better to book extra tables than the exact amount of guest you are expecting (unless you are paying per booked table). Taking your guests out is hassle free but might just be the most expensive form of entertainment because you cannot control your guests order unless it's a buffet or it is pay for yourself situation (my naija people will not understand this one, pay for yourself Ko pay for yasef ni, I wee just buy rice and eat at home,this method of pay for yourself will not work in naija as it is not our thing so take note).
Catering: could be cooking by yourself or hiring a caterer or family and friends to do the job. It is always best to book ahead of time, stating what exactly you want and working in accordance with your budget. Communicate your preference with your caterer /whoever is cooking for you. Let them know if you will like jollof/fried/white rice, type of sauce, do you want moin.moin (beans pudding) , should the protein be beef chicken egg goat etc, plantains, peppersoup,salad/coleslaw, small chops/finger food(includes samosas,buns,puff puff,chin chin,pastry rolls of any kind,meat pie of any kind, cheese and fruit kebab or any kebab) sandwiches, alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks or both and the list goes on and on. Make your budget known and discuss with the caterer what he/she can do for you if you are way over your budget, for example a small change like moin moin with no egg, choosing just one protein, no coleslaw or salad can make a big difference in the budget, make sure you haggle well and also remember to always keep vegetarians on mind when planning any event at all.
You must have read that catering bit and said to yourself, "why don't I just go to asda love,betcha I could feed 40 people with a tenner". No problem! Organizing a dinner can also be easy and cost effective doing it yourself but let me warn you the hassle and stress!! Wooh!. When organizing your own entertainment /dinner it is advisable to buy everything ahead of time and if you want to cook then do that and preserve it for later. Another thing you could do is use the help of family or/and friends to help you with preparation or setting of tables while you are having your ceremony.
If you cannot be bothered about all the above then you can go the simple way; Pizza!! Yes! take out,good wine and company is a great combo! and all you need is probably a phone call away.
Some institutions provides food for graduates and if this is the case then that is good.
Cake:There is a saying that a get together without cake is like a meeting so I am guessing that might apply here I put the word might as this is not necessary.Having a cake to celebrate is a luxurious choice. It is great ,sweet and you get to write your name on a juicy dessert! Like food this should be booked very early too with details and possibly pictures of what you want.
Souvenirs are a great part of keeping graduation memories in your mind your classmates' and friends minds. We love making these in Nigeria to give out during graduation, it includes books, pens, cups, plates, pens etcetera. In terms of booking,souvenirs are very flexible as it can be booked and done before time. Use a great picture and try out one print out before deciding on the rest of the print out so you do not get disappointed.
Book a sitter: Do you have a baby/babies and need them looked after during your ceremony? book a baby sitter or ask the help of a friend/spouse/family member ahead of time. If you are still breastfeeding then pump before the ceremony and give it to the sitter, don't forget to pack diaper,cloth bags and all.If a sitter might disappoint or you do not agree with the idea then look for a close by daycare or one run by the institution and also state your concerns to the authority of the school about the care of your baby if they do not run a daycare. Babies get very restless and bored and this might be the case during the ceremony and if your baby fidgets or start crying you cannot concentrate on the ceremony a 100%,
Pregnant graduate: If you are heavily pregnant or just generally pregnant I advice you notify the institution and make arrangements for your needs. Sitting close to an exit is safe as you can go out easily in case you need to.
Disability graduates: Make all plans with your institution and let them know your situation so they can cater to your needs to your utmost comfort.
Beauty regime: Consists of make up, hair, nails, tan, teeth, eyes and all that hassle we love doing to look beautiful and appear all glam. Any beauty regime should be booked and done on time, some might need to be done days before your graduation and some on that day. I am a make up artist and over the years I have had experience with last minute bookings literally and I have no problem as these things come up but my advice is that you give your make up artist time to get your face properly done and your stylists too. For those that want sew ins, corn rows and any hair that might be a bit painful get it done a week before so your caps do not hurt,hair cuts should be done a bit early too and for my gals that love a tan glow for that day, it should be done days before so there are no transfers or stains. No matter how lovely you want to look just be safe and do what suits you.
I hope you guys enjoyed this post and learn a thing or two. Once again congratulations!
Be sure to check my youtube page: fabbydeinma
For make up bookings contact me at : fabbydeinma@gmail.com.
''Psalm 51:17 : The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise''
grt
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