With Grad Fest approaching, make sure you're prepared

By LAYNA EDINGTON

Updated: November 11, 2012, 1:16 PM

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Layna Edington and Austin Dean from Grand Valley State University’s Graduate Student Associate talk about life on the other side of a bachelor’s degree.

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Next week is Grad Fest, and many of you who are graduating this December have probably been looking forward to this day for years. Maybe you have not been looking forward to Grad Fest itself, but instead looking forward to what it means. You are finally going to be done with the degree you have been working so hard to earn. Gone will be the late nights of studying, cramming for exams, endless paper writing, and the scramble to finish semester projects. While these are all things to look forward to, there are still a few things that need to be addressed before you can move on with the rest of your lives.

*Cap and Gown*– You need one if you are planning to walk at commencement. You can purchase yours at Grad Fest for $56.76. —- doctoral garb is usually more.

Tickets – Each student will be issued ten guest tickets for commencement with the purchase of a cap and gown. Start thinking about who you want to invite.

A Job – If you haven’t started job hunting, it is probably a good time to start. Don’t forget about the career center! They can be a great help in finding interviews and editing your resume and cover letters. Check out our Facebook for our latest post about Job Interviews.

A Plan to Pay off Debt – I know this one is not very fun, but you need to start now. Be sure to check the balance on your student loans and start thinking about how you are going to pay for them.

Make a Bucket List – When I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree, I made a list with my friends of all the things we wanted to do before we graduate. I know life is different as a graduate student, but if there are things you have always wanted to do with your time at GVSU, do them now! It may be your last opportunity as a student, so make time to add a couple extra experiences to what you already have.

Relax – You have earned this, and it is finally time to enjoy it! Take a day off, start a book off of the mile long reading list for when you finished reading academic text, catch up on some TV, or just sit and think about how nice it is you don’t have any homework to do!

Remember, Grad Fest is Nov. 14 in Kirkhof Center 2204 and Nov. 15 in the Devos Center Loosemore Exhibition Hall. Both events take place from 9 a.m.-6p.m.. Commencement is Saturday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Van Andel Arena, Downtown Grand Rapids.

We look forward to celebrating all of your accomplishments. Congratulations and good luck!

Layna Edington
Graduate Student Association

Published November 11, 2012 in Graduate Student Voice