Approaching Graduation

My name is Becky and I'm a 5th year senior at MSU. I'm majoring in Social Relations & Policy in JMC as well as in Accounting within the Eli Broad College of Business. My goal after I graduate is to become a CPA, which is why I had to stay for five years (I had to get to 150 credit hours...blah blah blah...lots of accounting particulars). I wasn't too upset about an extra year in college because it gave me the opportunity to take some more interesting classes. It also gave me an extra year of Spartan Marching Band and Spartan sports.

As my final semester begins at MSU, I thought I would write a blog about the graduation experience at MSU.

The first step in my graduation journey was actually applying for graduation. I received an email from the Registrar's Office telling me that I had taken enough credits to be considered for graduation. At MSU, your application for graduation lets the university know that you're in your last semester and you plan to complete your degree. Once I applied (a quick and painless process), advisors in both JMC and the business college were notified and they began checking my requirements. I'm happy to say that I have completed all of my degree requirements and I'm all set to graduate!

Now that I've applied and been accepted for graduation, I have to focus on passing all of my classes. It wouldn't do me much good if I failed a course in my final semester. My personal goal is to graduate with Honors, meaning my GPA is in the top 20% of students in my graduating class. I think this goal should keep me motivated for my last semester. I'm taking several classes that I am passionate about, including a tax policy and business law. It's my hope that interesting classes will prevent senioritis from setting in.

Later on this spring, there are several senior-themed events that I can attend. There are several senior award banquets hosted by my colleges and the university. MSU also hosts a "Senior Week" at the end of the semester that is full of events to celebrate the upcoming graduation season. It includes helping seniors physically prepare for graduation with cap & gown sales and class ring sales. Senior Week also helps graduating students check items off their MSU bucket list with tours of Beaumont tower, opportunities to sign "The Rock" on Farm Lane, and free samples of Dairy Store ice cream to name a few.

The last semester is a very nostalgic one for any one who is planning to graduate. Already I've caught myself thinking "This is the last time I'm going to..." or "How many more times am I going to get to experience...?" It's easy to get caught up in the bittersweet side of graduation, but I think it's important to savor the time that I have left on campus instead of mourning the four years that have already passed.

The actual graduation weekend is a very exciting time. The air is full of accomplishment and possibility. There is a commencement ceremony on the Friday of graduation week, where the graduates are addressed by the President of MSU and a special commencement speaker. The degrees are conferred separate graduation ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday. Each college has their own ceremony over the weekend, meaning I have the option of attending both James Madison and Broad College of Business graduation ceremonies.

After the JMC graduation, the college hosts a reception in Case Hall, which is a nice spot for families to take pictures and celebrate the graduates.

Though the prospect of leaving MSU is a little scary, I am mainly excited for my graduation. I'm fortunate to have a job lined up for the fall with an accounting firm in Detroit, which is a great relief. I also know that even if I don't call East Lansing my home, the Spartan community will have my back wherever I go!

Becky
Senior
SRP & Accounting