Graduation day is a momentous occasion, a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and late-night study sessions. Amidst the excitement of the ceremony, the anticipation of receiving your diploma, and the joy of celebrating with friends and family, there’s one tiny detail that often causes confusion: the graduation tassel. Which side does it go on before you officially become a graduate? This comprehensive guide will unravel the mystery, delving into the traditions, variations, and etiquette surrounding this seemingly simple yet significant accessory.
The Traditional Tassel Placement: A Symbolic Shift
The placement of the graduation tassel is more than just a matter of aesthetics; it’s a visual representation of your academic journey and transition. Understanding the traditional protocol helps ensure you participate in the ceremony with confidence and respect. The change in tassel position signifies the moment you transition from being a student to a graduate.
Before the Ceremony: The Right Side Represents “Student”
Prior to receiving your diploma, the tassel is traditionally worn on the right side of your graduation cap. This placement symbolizes your status as a student actively pursuing your degree. You are still in the process of learning, growing, and working towards your academic goals. Think of it as a visual cue that you are “right” where you should be, on track to completing your education. This is the standard for most high schools and colleges across the United States.
After Receiving Your Diploma: The Left Side Signifies “Graduate”
Once you have been officially conferred your degree, meaning you have been declared a graduate by the institution, the tassel is moved to the left side. This shift marks your official transition from student to graduate. It’s a symbolic gesture representing the completion of your academic program and your readiness to embark on the next chapter of your life. Consider the left side as representing “leaving” behind your student status and moving forward. This simple act is a powerful visual declaration of your accomplishment.
Regional and Institutional Variations: Expect the Unexpected
While the right-to-left tassel shift is the most common tradition, it’s important to acknowledge that variations exist across different regions and institutions. Before your graduation ceremony, it’s always best to confirm the specific protocol followed by your school or university.
High School Graduation: A Generally Uniform Practice
In most high school graduations, the right-to-left shift is almost universally followed. The ceremony often includes a specific moment, guided by a speaker or the school principal, instructing all graduates to move their tassels to the left side simultaneously. This creates a unified visual representation of the entire graduating class achieving their milestone.
College and University Graduation: Greater Potential for Variation
Colleges and universities, particularly larger institutions, may have slightly different customs. Some universities might instruct students to keep the tassel on the right throughout the entire ceremony, only moving it after the official conferral of degrees at the end. Others may have individual colleges or departments within the university follow their own specific tassel protocols. Always check with your department or the university graduation office for clarification.
Specific Institutional Traditions: Unique Ceremonial Practices
Some institutions have developed unique traditions around tassel placement that deviate from the standard right-to-left shift. These traditions might involve specific colors, ornaments, or even the manner in which the tassel is held. Researching your school’s specific traditions beforehand will ensure you participate correctly and with understanding.
The Role of Honor Cords and Stoles: Adding Layers of Meaning
Graduation regalia often includes additional elements like honor cords, stoles, and medallions, each carrying its own significance. These accessories can sometimes influence how the tassel is worn, or at least, how it appears.
Honor Cords: Representing Academic Achievement
Honor cords, typically worn around the neck, signify academic achievement or membership in honor societies. They are often brightly colored and add visual distinction to the graduation gown. The placement of honor cords doesn’t generally impact the side on which the tassel is worn, but they should be carefully arranged to avoid obscuring the tassel.
Stoles: Denoting Areas of Study or Affiliations
Stoles, similar to scarves, are often worn to represent a specific field of study, membership in a student organization, or affiliation with a particular group. Like honor cords, stoles don’t typically affect tassel placement but should be worn in a way that complements the overall regalia.
Medallions: Representing Scholarly Distinctions
Medallions, usually worn around the neck, signify significant scholarly achievements or leadership roles. Again, medallions do not generally influence tassel placement rules. The overall goal is to display all these elements of your regalia with pride and respect.
Common Tassel-Related Questions and Concerns: Addressing the Confusion
Graduation is an exciting but often stressful time, and small details like tassel placement can add to the anxiety. Addressing common questions and concerns can help alleviate some of that stress.
What Happens if I Move My Tassel to the Wrong Side?
Moving your tassel to the wrong side prematurely is usually not a major issue. Graduation ceremonies are often large and chaotic, and mistakes happen. Simply correct your mistake discreetly when the appropriate time comes. In most cases, faculty or staff will be present to assist if needed.
Does the Tassel Color Matter?
Yes, the tassel color often has significance. Traditionally, the color of the tassel represents the field of study in which you are graduating. For example, a white tassel often signifies a degree in arts or letters, while a science degree may have a golden yellow tassel. Doctoral graduates often wear a gold tassel regardless of their field of study. Verify the specific color codes used by your institution.
How Should I Care for My Tassel After Graduation?
Your graduation tassel serves as a lasting memento of your academic achievements. To preserve it, store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Some graduates choose to display their tassel in a shadow box or frame it alongside their diploma. Another popular option is to attach it to a graduation photo album.
Beyond the Tradition: The Significance of Graduation
While understanding the proper tassel etiquette is important, it’s even more important to remember the true meaning of graduation: celebrating your hard work, recognizing your growth, and embracing the future with confidence.
Graduation is not just an end; it’s a beginning. It’s a time to reflect on the knowledge you’ve gained, the friendships you’ve made, and the challenges you’ve overcome. As you move that tassel from right to left (or follow your institution’s specific protocol), remember that you are stepping into a world of possibilities. Embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, and never stop learning and growing. Congratulations, graduate!
Which side should my graduation tassel hang on before graduation?
Before the graduation ceremony officially begins, your tassel should be worn on the right side of your graduation cap. This is a universal standard across most universities and high schools in the United States. Think of it as signifying your pre-graduate status – you’ve completed all the coursework and requirements but haven’t yet received your official degree or diploma.
Keeping your tassel on the right demonstrates that you are still a candidate for graduation. It’s a visual cue for faculty and administrators to easily identify those students who are about to officially transition from students to graduates. This pre-graduation placement helps ensure a smooth ceremony and a clear indication of student status throughout the event.
When do I move my graduation tassel to the left side?
The official tassel-moving ceremony usually takes place during the graduation ceremony itself. The signal to move your tassel to the left is typically given by a designated speaker, such as the university president, a dean, or a faculty member. This moment is symbolic, signifying your official graduation and the conferral of your degree.
Listen carefully for the specific instructions during the ceremony. Once the announcement is made, all graduates move their tassels simultaneously from the right to the left side of their caps. This action represents your successful completion of your academic program and your transition into alumni status, a shared experience among your graduating class.
Does the tassel placement differ for graduate students compared to undergraduates?
While the initial placement on the right side before the ceremony is generally the same for both undergraduate and graduate students, there can be nuances. Graduate students might sometimes begin the ceremony with their tassels already on the left side. This can depend on the specific institution and its traditions.
It is critical to consult the graduation instructions provided by your university or academic department. These guidelines will offer the most accurate information regarding tassel placement protocols specifically for graduate students. Some institutions might have slightly different procedures, so relying on school-specific information is essential for a flawless experience.
What if I accidentally move my tassel to the left before the designated time?
Don’t panic! If you accidentally move your tassel before the designated moment, simply and discreetly move it back to the right side. It’s a common mistake, especially with the excitement of the day. The important thing is to ensure you’re aligned with the rest of your graduating class when the official tassel-moving ceremony takes place.
Small errors like this are easily forgiven, and it’s far better to correct the mistake privately than to stand out as the only person with the tassel on the left. The aim is to participate in the collective experience of the ceremony, so returning the tassel to its correct position before the official announcement will help you do that seamlessly.
Are there any exceptions to the standard right-to-left tassel tradition?
While the right-to-left tradition is the most common practice, some universities and academic institutions may have their own unique customs. These variations can be based on specific academic disciplines or school-specific traditions that have been passed down through generations. It’s essential to be aware of any potential deviations from the standard procedure.
Therefore, you should carefully review all graduation instructions provided by your school or department and attend any pre-graduation briefings. This will ensure you are fully informed about any exceptions or modifications to the traditional tassel-moving procedure. Understanding these specific guidelines is crucial for participating correctly and respectfully in your graduation ceremony.
What is the significance of moving the tassel from right to left?
The symbolic act of moving the graduation tassel from right to left represents the transition from being a student to becoming a graduate. The right side, before the ceremony, symbolizes your status as a candidate for graduation, having completed the necessary academic work but not yet officially receiving your degree.
Moving the tassel to the left marks the official conferral of your degree. It’s a visual representation of your accomplishment and your entry into the ranks of alumni. This simple gesture signifies the culmination of your hard work, dedication, and academic journey, marking a significant milestone in your life.
Where should I keep my tassel after the graduation ceremony?
After the graduation ceremony, your tassel serves as a cherished memento of your academic achievement. Many graduates choose to keep their tassel as a tangible reminder of their hard work and the memories created during their educational journey. There are numerous ways to preserve and display your tassel for years to come.
Some popular options include framing the tassel along with your diploma, incorporating it into a scrapbook or memory box, or simply storing it in a safe place. Some individuals even get creative and use it to embellish graduation-themed decorations. Ultimately, the best place to keep your tassel is somewhere that will allow you to revisit the joy and pride of your graduation day whenever you see it.