On Your Mark, Get Set, Graduate!

June may be half way through the calendar year but for many it marks the end of the school year and the beginning of a whole new chapter of life. No, we don’t mean summer vacation, but whether you’re leaving your childhood friends and graduating from high school, or you’re finishing college ready to head out into the realest of the “real world”, graduating means it is time to move on to bigger and better challenges and gives reason to celebrate all those that you have already conquered!  Maybe you get to lay a cord or stole over your graduation gown, but did you know that the different colors of these additions have different meanings?

 Maybe if you’re sporting a blue cord it is because you have been a part of a fraternity, a sorority or an honor society like Phi Theta Kappa, or a lavender cord because you’re graduating nursing school or have been a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, maybe a red cord to represent the Spanish National Honor Society, or red, white and blue to represent French National Honor Society. Perhaps a blue and gold cord is to be draped around you’re neck as you have been part of the Key Club or you have excelled in drama. The list goes on and on and on some more but no matter the color, the privilege of wearing a cord or stole on your graduation day represents yet another accomplishment and is further something to be proud of.

Actor and comedian Jim Carrey gave a speech at Maharishi University of Management’s commencement ceremony last month and offered a vast amount of advice to any graduate (or person) who would receive it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AOQgrNKLWM&feature=player_embedded 

No matter how bitter or sweet or bittersweet you feel graduation is, no matter whether or not you get to wear a cord or a stole of any color, no matter who may be speaking at your graduation ceremony and no matter where it is you are graduating from or how long it took you, be proud that you have overcome those hurdles that were in your way and that you are finally ready to start a whole new chapter, a brand new beginning. And as Carrey mentioned, remember to do what you love because that safety net may not always catch you anyway. Now, be proud, be happy, showcase your talents, and conquer your new challenges! Happy graduation, you did it!

 

 

Written by Chanelle Surphlis

 

To learn more about the meanings of various colored graduation cords visit http://honorsgraduation.com/gold-and-royal-graduation-cords.htm