Congratulations, you’re graduating! After a lot of hard work, a lot of fun, some bad decisions and some good ones, you’re getting your degree. Now, whether you’re happy about it or you’re like me, and the thought of graduating makes you want to cry, your college graduation only happens once. You probably have hundreds of pictures documenting your journey through college, and your graduation should have just as many as pictures! It’ll probably feel like it’s about 100 degrees outside, which can make it tempting to just take a few quick pictures and leave. But we don’t think you should do that. Document your graduation with all sorts of pictures. These are some must-have graduation pictures for all Gators. Some of these might seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget what pictures you want to get on graduation day, so hopefully, this can be your guide.
Wear your cap and gown for…
We know it will be super hot, so it’s totally fine to take off the cap and gown for most of the pictures, but there a few we think you should definitely keep it on for.
- Mom, dad, graduate Gator chomp picture. Instead of the traditional proud parents with their college graduate picture, make them do the Gator chomp with you. You should try to wear your cap and gown for this picture, so you still get the classic feel of this picture.
- You in your cap and gown with your entire family. It will serve as a nice keepsake 20 years from now for you to remember who came to your graduation when you’re looking at these pictures with your kids. (Crazy to think about, I know!)
- Right after graduation, everyone will be busy with their own families and will be trying to make their dinner reservations. But don’t let that stop you from getting a graduation picture with all your friends. Schedule a time and place for everyone to meet up after (or even before) to take a group picture of everyone in their gowns. You’ll definitely be sad later if you don’t have that.
- After you take your picture with your friends of everyone smiling, take a few silly ones with them. The silly ones are always the best to look back on, and they really show everyone’s personality. Even do one with everyone throwing their caps in the air. My sister, who is graduating from UF this year, informed that throwing your cap in the air is so high school and that almost-college graduates do not do that, but I still think you should go for it. Throwing your cap in the air is always so much fun!
Cap and gown not necessary for…
- You in the middle of the Swamp! It seems like a picture in your school’s football stadium has become a cliché college graduation picture. And while I usually try to steer clear of clichés, this is one clichéd trend that everybody needs to take part in. Stand in the middle of the stadium with your arms in the air because you made it. You got through all those torturous exams and papers!
- You standing over the Bull Gator. It’s another cliché, but it’s a must-have. The Bull Gator has become one of UF’s signature sights, so make sure you snag a picture with him!
- A picture of you standing in front of Century Tower is definitely one you’ll want to get. We know Century Tower is a pretty far walk from the O’Connell Center, especially when it’s really hot and you’re with about ten family members, but Century Tower is a UF landmark, and that means you need a picture with it. Make sure you get the whole tower in the picture. You can take a close up too, but the best part of Century Tower pictures is seeing how gigantic it really is in comparison to yourself.
- A picture in front of your college’s building, or even in the building. You just spent four years working your butt of there, so you definitely need at least one picture to commemorate all your hard work.
- A picture with a professor or adviser that was influential to you during college. This one you might have to get before the day of your graduation, but it still counts as a graduation picture. If you have a professor who has made a big impact on you, you should take a picture with them. Taking a picture with a professor you’re close to is the same as taking a picture with a good friend, so don’t feel weird about asking for the picture.
- Gator chomp picture with your siblings (if you have any). If your siblings are Gators themselves, it won’t be hard to get them to do it. But if they’re not and are possibly even Noles, then just tell them that it’s your graduation, and you can’t say no to a graduate on their graduation day.
- Your significant other embracing you. It’s pretty cheesy, yes, but it’s cheesy in a cute way. You’ll probably have this moment anyway, so way not capture it on camera.
Congratulations to the UF spring class of 2012!