Graduation day is finally here! After years of hard work, the last thing you want is to arrive at commencement and realize your tassel, tickets, or another important item is still at home. Use this graduation day checklist to organize your cap, gown, accessories, personal essentials, and ceremony materials before leaving.
1. Graduation Cap and Gown
Your preschool graduation cap and gown should be at the top of your checklist. Take the gown out of its packaging ahead of time, check the fit, and safely remove wrinkles according to the garment’s care instructions.
Academic Regalia Checklist
- Graduation gown
- Mortarboard cap or required academic headwear
- Graduation tassel
- Graduation-year charm, if applicable
- Academic hood for master’s or doctoral graduates
2. Honor Cords, Stoles and Medallions
If your school has authorized you to wear honor cords, graduation stoles, medallions, or other recognition items, organize them with your gown the night before. Check your institution’s rules regarding permitted accessories.
3. Ceremony Tickets and Identification
Graduation ceremonies may require tickets, student identification, parking credentials, or other documents. Review your school’s commencement instructions and prepare anything required for entry or graduate check-in.
Important Ceremony Items
- Graduate admission or check-in information
- Guest tickets
- Student or photo identification when required
- Parking pass or parking information
- Ceremony schedule
- School-provided instructions
4. Comfortable Graduation Shoes
Graduation can involve more walking and standing than expected. Choose shoes that are comfortable enough for procession lines, stairs, stages, hallways, and photographs.
If commencement is outdoors, consider grass, uneven surfaces, and the weather when selecting footwear.
5. Your Graduation Outfit
Choose what to wear under your preschool graduation gown before ceremony morning. Your clothing should be comfortable, appropriate for the event, and suitable for the expected temperature.
Try Everything On Together
Wear your complete outfit with the gown, cap, hood, cords, stole, and shoes before graduation day. This helps identify fit or comfort problems while you still have time to make adjustments.
6. Phone and Essential Personal Items
Bring only the personal items you genuinely need, especially if graduates cannot carry bags during the ceremony.
- Fully charged phone
- Wallet or identification
- Keys
- Necessary personal items
- Portable charger if permitted and practical
7. Weather Essentials for Outdoor Graduation
Outdoor commencement requires additional planning. Check the forecast before leaving and review your school’s rules about what graduates and guests may bring.
Depending on the Weather, Consider
- Water, if permitted
- Sunscreen
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Approved rain protection
8. Graduation Photo Preparation
Graduation photographs become lasting memories, so give your regalia one final check before the ceremony. Straighten your gown, position the mortarboard correctly, untangle the tassel, and arrange approved cords, stoles, or academic hoods neatly.
9. Know Where and When to Arrive
Do not plan to arrive at the exact ceremony start time. Graduates may need to check in, line up, receive instructions, and assemble well before guests are seated.
Confirm Before Leaving Home
- Graduate arrival time
- Check-in location
- Ceremony location
- Parking location
- Processional instructions
- Guest entry procedures
10. Leave Unnecessary Items at Home
Many venues restrict bags, food, beverages, umbrellas, signs, or other items. Check the venue and school’s policies before packing. Carrying fewer items can also make it easier to participate in the procession and ceremony.
Night-Before Graduation Checklist
- Hang and inspect your graduation gown
- Set out your cap and tassel
- Prepare your academic hood if required
- Organize approved cords and stoles
- Set out your complete outfit
- Prepare comfortable shoes
- Confirm tickets and identification
- Charge your phone
- Check the weather
- Confirm arrival and parking information
Final Graduation Day Checklist
Before You Walk Out the Door
- Cap
- Gown
- Tassel
- Academic hood, if required
- Approved cords or stole
- Ceremony tickets
- Required identification
- Parking information or pass
- Phone
- Keys and wallet
- Comfortable shoes
- Any school-required materials
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wear my cap and gown to the ceremony?
Schools have different procedures. Some ask graduates to arrive already dressed in regalia, while others provide designated preparation areas. Follow your school’s commencement instructions.
What should I do with my phone during graduation?
Check the ceremony policy and make sure your phone is silenced when required. Consider where you can securely keep it if graduates are not permitted to carry bags.
What should master’s and doctoral graduates bring?
In addition to their required gown and headwear, graduate-level participants may need an academic hood and other degree-specific regalia. Verify all requirements with the institution beforehand.
Be Ready to Enjoy Your Graduation Day
A little preparation can make commencement day much easier. Use this graduation ceremony checklist the night before and again before leaving home to make sure your cap, gown, tassel, tickets, accessories, and personal essentials are ready.
Once everything is checked off, put the list away and enjoy the moment—you worked hard to get here.
