You’ve handed in your dissertation, received your final grade and before you know it, graduation is just around the corner, and with it being such a special day of celebration, it can be fairly nerve-wracking! But don’t stress, because here is my ultimate guide on preparing for graduation, as well as all the best tips to make the most out of the day…

Student sat at a computer in the library

1. Register for graduation

One of the first things you’ll need to do is of course register your place at graduation. All summer graduates will receive a link during spring time (usually some time around March) and Winter graduates usually receive this link during Autumn (usually around October). With this link you can register your place and book your tickets for family and guests. This is the most important step as if you haven’t registered you can’t graduate so make sure you complete this as soon as its sent to your email!

2. Order your graduation gown

Now it’s time to order your graduation gown! Once you have registered, you should be able to book your gown a few months before graduation. You will need to fill out a few details such as the final grade you will receive, your degree type, and your cap and gown sizes, so make sure you know all of this information before filling it out as you don’t want to end up with a cap too big for your head! Ensure to order them in efficient time to avoid any stress on your graduation day. If you don’t know what gown you need, you can check this link here: https://www.salford.ac.uk/graduation/gown-hire

Photo of the Trafford center from the inside

3. Time to go dress and suit shopping!

After your all signed up for graduation and have sorted out your graduation gown, now the fun can begin – it’s time to go shopping to search for that perfect suit or dress! Finding the perfect outfit for your special day is sure to make you feel confident and fresh for the big day, and why not go with all of your fellow graduating friends to make it a fun collective experience! Of course, if you leave finding an outfit to the last minute, it can go from exciting to stressful real fast, so my advice is to start searching a month before to avoid disappointment.

4. Make sure you and guests arrive with plenty of time

It’s generally recommend to get to graduation two hours before the ceremony begins so you can collect what you need and thoroughly prepare before heading in rather than being stressed 30 mins before. And just a little side note of advice – for those who are graduating on July 11th, Oasis also happen to be performing on the same day in Manchester city center, so please make sure if you have family / guests travelling to Salford for your graduation that they leave themselves plenty of time for traffic and diversions that day, we’d hate for them to miss your graduation!

4. Let the celebrations commence

Now you’ve found the perfect outfit, worn the gown and received your degree, it’s time to have some well earned celebrations. Whether you want to go out for a nice meal with family or have a bit of a boogie with your friends, there are so many places in Manchester you can visit to end graduation day on a high. Here are a few of my recommendations…

  • The Ivy Spinningfields – an elegant, fancier restaurant that’s perfect for a celebration, complete with a stunning rooftop terrace and insta-worthy interior for those cute graduation pics!
  • 20 Stories – a fine dining restaurant that looks over the city of Manchester, this is the most iconic location for a post-grad toast.
  • Miller and Carter – book a table at this well known steak restaurant for an unforgettable graduation meal. You can order from their 3-course celebration menu available from £35.95pp – dig in!
  • The Alchemist MediaCityUK – located right next to the Lowry where graduation is taking place and overlooking Salford Quays, it’s a super convenient yet stunning location for some theatrical beverages and incredible food.

Follow these tips and tricks and you are bound to have the best graduation day!