Helpful Tips for LU's Commencement Weekend

This weekend was Liberty University's Online Commencement Ceremony. It was a whirlwind, honestly. From Friday afternoon when I got on campus for check-in, till Saturday afternoon where I reluctantly clambered around the crowded campus to take a few grad pics. I'm extremely happy I went, however, parts of it were absolutely CHAOTIC. Fret not, dear reader, my misfortune will become your good luck! Below, I will detail some tips to make your graduation weekend the BEST ever. You've endured countless hours of homework, studying, seemingly pointless webinars, and gruesome intensives and at last you've made it. It's time to enjoy it!

1. The moment you know the dates for graduation BOOK A HOTEL. DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT WAIT. YOU WILL REGRET IT.

Being unemployed this year has not made my financial situation easy by any means. When I first got the notice about the graduation date, I thought to myself "My, you have plenty of time." I didn't and you don't. Lynchburg is the size of a post-it and LUO graduates approximately 20,000 students a year. 20,000! If you've been there, you know that Lynchburg has only a handful of hotels, certainly not capable of accommodating 20,000. That's IF they don't bring any family members or guests to actually watch this huge milestone. Which, DUH, they will. Hotels were booked out to Charlottesville over 1.5 hours away from campus.

As if that isn't enough to stress about, hotels jack up the prices for commencement weekend. I'm talking anywhere between a 150-300% increase. If you book early, you may be lucky enough to lock in a decent rate before the price jack. You won't be forced to sleep 8 in a room meant for 3. Yes, I'm speaking from personal experience. I love my family with all of my heart, but I think it's safe to say it was brutal for all of us.

2. Even though the campus does not advertise it, they DO offer late check-in.

Initially, my plan was to drive up the morning of the commencement ceremony and make it a day trip. I don't mind early morning travel, and as an Ex-Admission Counselor, I'm extremely seasoned at it. However, I was disappointed to find that according to paperwork, I would have to arrive on campus by 4:30 pm on Friday from check-in to be eligible to walk on Saturday morning. I was annoyed, but being the good little girl I am, I did what I was told. I showed up on Friday afternoon to meet check-in deadline.

Come Saturday morning, as I lined up with my fellow graduates I noticed a late check-in table. This made me ROID RAGE ANGRY. You mean my family didn't have to spend 350 bucks and a fatted calf to stay at a hotel?!? Rest assured future graduates, if you don't secure a hotel, or god forbid, cannot afford it- come the day of and do late check-in.

3. If you have the wherewithal, take your cutesy graduation pictures on Friday before the actual ceremony.

I...don't do crowds well, and these aren't normal crowds. So much stop, and so little go. If you wait until Saturday between commencement and degree presentation ceremonies I promise you will be so frustrated at the long lines at fountains, signs, etc, (any place attractive enough to take an Instagram picture) that you will find yourself not giving a flying flip about whether you even HAVE pictures to commemorate the event. However, once your blood pressure stabilizes you will regret this decision.

All weekend long, I had been wanting to take a picture next to a #LUGRAD sign. I thought after my degree presentation ceremony this would be the perfect time. I looked down at the football field (littered in plastic poncho baggies, that story coming later) and it was finally free of guests. Unfortunately, several other people had the same idea at the same time and we all descended upon it simultaneously. Long story short, I was stuck behind multiple families who took hundreds of pictures a piece before I got a chance to take a few. Since my parents raised me right, I didn't spend an inordinate amount of time doing this because I didn't want to hold up those around me. Courtesy is expected, people. It took a lot of stress to get this basic grad pic, but I'm happy I did.

My suggestion is to take these cutesy pictures on Friday. No one will never know that they weren't taken the day of commencement and you can get back on the road home earlier.

4. Ignore all inclement weather plans published by the university, it won't happen. Come rain, hail, or high water- your behind will be sitting in Williams Stadium outside.

Okay, I'll be the first to admit I was traumatized when I heard it was supposed to rain all weekend. When I graduated from ODU it was at the Ted Constant Center which has poor lighting and a bomb shelter feel to it. I'd stare at pics of my friends' outdoor ceremonies with envy. The lighting, the sun, the happiness!

When I checked in Friday, the very chipper LU employee stated that if it was still raining at 6:00 pm they would make the call and follow thru with the inclement weather plan. That plan would require them to move the venue to the Vines Center. Come 6:00...the sky has opened and its raining cats and dogs. Unfortunately, I get a little notification that states the following:

"Tomorrow's commencement will be held in the Williams Stadium. No changes have been made. See you all tomorrow! #wetheclassof2018"

Once I got done rolling my eyes so hard they almost got stuck, I started fretting over what to do with my hair. They should have hashtagged the event #wettheclassof2018 I absolved myself to looking like a wet dog the rest of the weekend and tried my best to manage the frizz. That's all us ladies can do. Though I will admit with my whole heart, I never dreamed of wearing a poncho on my graduation day. That whole leftover look was totes what I was going for.

Also, in all their wisdom....umbrellas were NOT allowed.

5. Once commencement is over, regardless of how long you have until your degree presentation ceremony- DO NOT LEAVE CAMPUS. I know its tempting to avoid the throngs of people, but DO NOT LEAVE CAMPUS.

My degree presentation ceremony was scheduled for 3:30 pm. Once Jerry Fallwell got done detailing his entire family tree the commencement concluded at 12:15. That seems like enough time to go off campus to grab a quick bite at the local bbq spot right? WRONG. Even though we took 1/2 an hour to eat, between traffic and LU's decisions regarding traffic flow- I was almost late to my degree presentation ceremony.

I noticed that when I was leaving commencement, LU had asked a ton of food trucks to come and sell food items to families. We should have eaten at one of these and spent the rest of the day on foot. Hindsight is always 20/20 though.

6. Last but certainly not least- tips on attire!

First, LU's online information regarding commencement stated you had to wear a dark colored outfit. I, having bought a white dress because that has always been the requirement at past ceremonies I've attended, had to go out the day before we left to purchase a dark dress. I was lucky and found a suitable one for under 13 bucks. However, on campus I noticed folks wore whatever the heck they wanted. They will NOT check. Where the dress/button up/outfit of your dreams. Don't let anyone break your stride!

SAFETY PINS. Since I was graduating with my masters, I got to have one of the spiffy hoods I'd always dreamed of. However, there is no way to attach it to your robe without help and if you don't you will spend the entire day fiddling with it. Bring safety pins and pin that bad boy down. It'll save you tons of time re-situating your ensemble.

Comfortable shoes are a must! Don't just wear flats. Wear comfortable flats. Even though my phone died 2 hours before the end of the day, my phone logged 4 MILES. I shudder to think how many miles I actually walked. I wore new flats and I'd still rubbed my feet raw in some places.

That's all the wisdom I have to share for now, but enjoy yourself! Congrats! You did it!