It’s April, which means the class of 2026’s intense senioritis is about to be disrupted by the terrifying, exciting, stressful approach of graduation. What once seemed impossibly far away is now just around the corner, and I think I speak for most seniors when I say that we’ve been so immersed in desperately formulating post-grad plans that we haven’t really begun to consider the technical details of graduation, like if we want to take graduation photos and throw a grad party.
Fear not — it’s not too late to plan the perfect photoshoot and graduation celebration. (But if you haven’t yet secured a dinner reservation for graduation weekend, it’s definitely time to accept defeat.) Don’t think about how after you toss your cap, you’ll be facing months of ignored job applications, futile networking calls and endless unemployment — just think about how fun your grad party will be and how awesome your grad photos will look!
Psst: Check out The Badger Herald’s guide to what to wear to graduation here.
Stage a DIY photoshoot
Hiring a professional to capture your grad photos isn’t the most financially viable option for every soon-to-be alumni, since many of us are already knee-deep in student debt and aren’t looking to dish out a couple hundred bucks for an hour-long photography session. If that’s the case for you, consider asking a friend to take your graduation photos for you and offer to return the favor. No need to purchase a fancy digital camera — you can buy a retro model from eBay for as little as $30 or find a solid film camera at a thrift store. So chic!
The Capitol and Bascom Hill are staple spots to take grad photos, of course, but if you’re looking to get a little creative, consider staging an impromptu photo shoot at a campus location that reflects your major.
For example, botany or agriculture majors can pose amongst the foliage of Allen Centennial Garden or Olbrich Botanical Gardens. If you’re an English or history major, take some studious photos between the shelves of your favorite library, and if you’re studying art, head to the Chazen or the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art for a fittingly artsy grad photoshoot. Just be careful not to spray any champagne on the priceless works of art! (Just kidding — obviously don’t open a bottle of champagne in a museum.)
Doing a full photo shoot definitely isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK. Personally, I’ll be taking a few cute pictures with my friends after the ceremony, and that’ll be that! Anyways, you’ll treasure the candid snapshots you’ve taken throughout your college experience much more than a collection of polished photos taken by a professional.
Throw a fabulous graduation get-together
The graduation ceremony runs from noon to 1:30 p.m., and by the end of it, we newly minted alumni will certainly be itching to stretch our legs and get our hands on something to eat. Answer the call by hosting a post-ceremony graduation party for your family and friends at your house or apartment, complete with food, drinks and games.
It can be a simple affair, or you can lean into a fun theme, like a casual summertime picnic. I’m talking red-and-white gingham tablecloths, a picnic basket full of celebratory shooters, a selection of sandwiches (homemade or catered) and bouquets of fresh-cut red roses and white lilies on the table.
Craft a nostalgic playlist of songs that defined your college years and decorate your party space with photos of you and your friends’ freshman-year selves, then make mimosas with some Badger flair by substituting cranberry juice for orange juice. Don’t forget to stock the cooler with Spotted Cows (you’ll miss them when you’ve left Wisconsin), or go all-in and get a keg.
Graduation dos and don’ts
Graduating is a monumental achievement, and you should be proud of yourself for securing your diploma. But though it’s an accomplishment worth celebrating, that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want for the whole weekend without fear of repercussions.
Graduation has rules of etiquette, some of which go without saying, like listening respectfully to James Patterson as he gives his keynote speech. Look, I know that he’s no Sarah Jessica Parker (screw you, Northwestern), but I was a big fan of his “I Funny” book series as a kid, so I’ll be locked in to whatever he has to say. Here are some graduation dos and don’ts to keep in mind before, after and during the ceremony.
DO: Leave a generous tip for your server at your graduation-night reservation.
DON’T: Call the restaurant the night before to ask if you can change your four-person reservation to 12 people. The answer is no.
DO: Have a wonderful time sharing celebratory drinks with family and friends after the ceremony.
DON’T: Pregame the ceremony too hard. Trust me, you want to remember the moment you become an alumni, and no one likes sitting next to someone who’s already 10 beers deep at noon.
DO: Craft a thoughtful, BRIEF LinkedIn post reflecting on graduation once you’ve tossed your cap.
DON’T: Craft a 1,000-word LinkedIn post recapping every meaningful moment from your college experience and how they shaped you into the working professional that you are today. Keep it succinct, for all of your connections’ sakes!
