Preparing for graduation day is one thing in its self. You find yourself asking your class mates what they are going to wear, who they are inviting as their guests, what are their plans afterwards etc etc. As much as you can discuss all these things and try and plan it down to every detail, it will not be how you think it will.
You arrive at the Royal Festival Hall in Southbank; an amazing venue in London with a lovely views of the Thames. You are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of so many other nervous and excited students all trying to make final adjustments to their outfits, pick up their caps and gowns and get their photographs taken, all with friends and family fussing over them! Thankfully their were plenty of staff on hand to tell you where to go and what to do so it made getting through the pre-ceremonial preparations a lot easier. I soon got my tickets, got my cap and gown (which thankfully they will put you in, otherwise I wouldn't of had a clue!) and then got my professional photo taken. For those of you that don't know, the certificate you hold in your professional photo is a prop and your certificate doesn't actually look quite like this.
As the time of the ceremony looms closer the nerves begin to build. What did not help was being stood in a cap and gown in temperatures of 30 degrees trying not to overheat. It was genuinely like wearing a coat in summer. Having some drinks and conversation soon eased my nerves though and getting to see all my class mates all dressed up and excited was amazing! Soon it was time to enter the hall and to everyones delight it was beautifully cool and air conditioned. It was also stunning inside with the stage and screen up front being centre of attention. The most lovely surprise once we were seated was that the screen was playing a video of highlights from the university which some lucky DFSA students work appeared on. This was amazing to see our work shown off in such a big way. All courses would clap and cheer for their work when it appeared and it was a great way to fill us all with energy.
The ceremony was really thought out and flowed well with heart felt speeches of congratulations from the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. We were even lucky enough to experience not one but two chancellors. Not only was our old chancellor, fashion designer Zandra Rhodes there, but we were also joined by the new chancellor who was appointed in front of us: the artist Magdalene Odundo. This was a privilege to be a part of.
Despite all the lovely celebrations I couldn't help but begin to panic as they got closer and closer to calling DFSA up to receive their certificates. It was the thought of having to walk across the stage with such mass attention on you as you shake hands with the chancellor and receive your certificate. I was the last DFSA'er to do this as I am last in the register (W for Williams!). It soon came round quickly enough and I was sent out on stage. Thankfully I was wearing trainers which made it easier for me to get it over and done with quickly. As I walked (speedily) I did start to feel an amazing sense of pride to be up on stage receiving my hard earned degree along side all these other amazing creatives. Some people really took pride in this moment making their walks across the stage seem more like performances; having a little dance, making us all laugh or even filming the whole thing on their phone as they did it!
Before I knew it the ceremony was all over and done with and we were fully fledged graduates. This was the best reason to celebrate so DFSA soon headed up to the bar for free bubbly to celebrate alongside our teachers and tutors who had all been their watching us. The celebrations were well underway with many pictures being taken, many drinks being had and laughter and conversation filling the bar. The pride the teachers had for us was genuinely amazing and also the pride we had for each other and for the way we had all gone through this experience together. It actually began to get quiet emotional with heart felt goodbyes as people started to leave with their families. We will be sad to no longer spend time with each other and I am hopeful that some of us will be seeing each other in the future and working together at the heights of our careers! Thats the dream!
1st Year Class Photo of us as baby DFSA'ers
3 Years later - Us as Graduated DFSA'ers
Written by Billie Williams
Photos by DFSA'ers
No comments:
Post a Comment