As the final semesters of college approach, the question comes up: Is it better to graduate in fall or spring?
"Graduating was one of the best experiences of my life," said Jillian Rimmer, a teacher at Collierville Elementary and a graduate of The University of Memphis. "Plus it was like tradition to graduate in the spring. I had always imagined myself graduating in the spring, and it was awesome that it just happened to work out that way."
However, for others fall is the best option.
"I decided to wait until the fall to graduate because there are so many things that I enjoy that go on in the fall that I wanted to be a part of for one last time," said Kyle Fertig, a senior economics major. "Plus it gives me extra time to spend with my friends before I have to go out and get a real job."
Some want to graduate with their friends, some are graduating whenever they are finished with the requirements, and then there some who are happy they are graduating at all.
"For me, when I graduate is not that important," said Jimmy Cuty, a senior communications major. "This is my senior year, and I am graduating because I have completed all my requirements. The important thing is that I'm graduating."
Sometimes, when graduation comes and you don't think you are ready, you can try to push it back a semester or two, but for some, it is better to go ahead and graduate.
"I ended up graduating a semester early in the fall, and it was the best decision I could have made," said Whitney Searight, a receptionist for the Ruch Clinic and a graduate of The U of M. "My graduating class was smaller with a shorter ceremony, and it was nice. Plus, I ended up getting a job at the clinic that I don't think I could have gotten if I had applied later, so it worked out perfectly."
There are so many things to consider when graduating. However, everyone has a different opinion and reason for when they graduate. Whether it is because of timing, tradition or even to spend a little more time being a kid without the responsibilities, graduation is going to be one of the best experiences and you just appreciate that you made it to the end, said Jonathan Nanney, senior psychology major.
"When I started college, I always thought about when I would graduate and how it would be," Nanney said. "Now that it is here and a reality, nothing else matters now. I finally made it to the end, and I am ready to move on with my life and whatever the world has to throw at me."
