How to graduate with style

Graduating with styledoes not just mean not making an ass out of yourself. Put your best foot forwardas you head into your future  

Step 1: Stand and sit up straight Stand and sit up straight. Your parents are no doubt taping the entire event, so refrain fromdoing the slouch and shuffle—unless you want your sulky, pre-evolutionary amble to be captured for posterity.  

Tip: Don’t get wasted the night before. You’ll feel awful and your pictures will look like crap.      

Step 2: Wear something nice

Wear something under your robe that’s tasteful and not too hot—something that won’t embarrass you or others when your robe inevitably comes off.

Step 3: Look your best

Look your best. Get a haircut, if you need one, and, girls, consider a mani-pedi. You want to look sophisticated and confident as you enter the world.

Tip:Slap on some sunscreen. A sunburned face is not stylish.

Step 4: Don’t be disrespectful

If you’re planning on being hilarious by disrupting the valedictorian’s speech with “woos” and “booyahs”… don’t.

Step 5: Smile

When collecting your diploma, make eye contact with the person handing it to you. Give a good handshake—and remember to smile!

Step 6: Thank those who got you there

Thank the people responsible for you making it to graduation day. You know who they are.

Tip:If there is a faculty member who went above and beyond for you, or whose class you particularly enjoyed, take the time to say so.

Step 7: Send thank you cards

Send handwritten thank-you notes to everyone who remembered your graduation. Email doesn’t cut it when it comes to expressing gratitude.