8 Fantastic Ways to Celebrate 2020's Graduates

Graduation ceremonies are one of the most special rites of passage. While milestones like kindergarten and elementary school advancement are certainly significant, high school and college students define "senior" in a much different way. As a parent, I bet you can still remember the excitement of finally reaching the end of your educational journey and the beginning of the next phase—your adult life.

And yet, this year, social distancing means many seniors won't don a cap and gown and walk solemnly down an aisle to the refrains of Pomp and Circumstance while their proud families look on. Parents are challenged to find alternatives to help their remarkable seniors feel special. Here's a collection of creative ideas that can help you celebrate your graduate's terrific accomplishments with family and friends near and far—because marking this pivotal achievement is a success in its own right.

1. Stop and reflect—process all your emotions

In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered the Harvard commencement address, defending the importance of perseverance and imagination.

We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter series author

This inspiring message by Rowling is a beautiful reminder for all of this year's graduates that despite their current circumstances, they have the potential to become anything they want to be—as long as they have the proper mindset.

When we grasp any notable occasion, we face a myriad of deep emotions. Graduation goes hand-in-hand with feelings of great pride, success, and accomplishment. (Disappointment isn't usually linked with diplomas!) Dr. Jade Wu, QDT’s Savvy Psychologist, has some insightful and heartfelt advice for students graduating during this turbulent year:

Allow yourself (whether you're a grad or parent) to feel all of the emotions, positive and negative. It's ok to feel both disappointment and pride. Don't try to talk yourself out of the difficult emotions, and instead, acknowledge them and let them pass through you at their own pace.

Write about it. Document the moment, whether you've got profound thoughts about this rite of passage, or even just silly or ordinary observations. You can look back on your notes as an affirmation that, yes, this did happen. I have crossed from before to now.  

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