Graduation day was meant to be the final day to commemorate the exceptional journey of school life. This past year, the eagerness and excitement of high schoolers was met with discouragement and uncertainty. It was as though the past one decade had ceased to exist, as though the reality of school had vanished into thin air. This can be disconcerting for many youngsters as the memories made of recess, cramming for exams, morning assemblies and classroom tomfoolery still rings fresh in the mind. Missing a significant milestone is not an easy experience; it can leave one feeling unseen, left out or forgotten. This sense of loss can cause some of us to wish that life had a rewind button. However, that is not possible. Although, if we are willing to honor this well-deserved moment of our life, we can make the end of school year, one to remember!
Here are few alternative ways to celebrate this milestone to create a sense of closure:
1. Make a treasure chest. Collect all your favorite items of this chapter in your life. It could include your school badge, photos taken, friendship bracelets, classroom doodles etc.
2. Plan a fun party. Purchase an outfit, buy food, play some music, dance, organize games, make a farewell video, share favorite memories and future plans, have an award ceremony to recognize the unique personalities of the classroom. A party of this kind would require a team of dedicated students to plan and collaborate to make it happen!
3. Create an artwork. Ask your talented friends to prepare a painting or a collage with all your cherished memories
4. Organize Sendoff gift. This could be a t-shirt or a showpiece which serves as a reminder of school life.
5. Create a common platform to connect. This is where you share photos, memories and memes about classroom moments, this will help you get a community feeling.
6. Make a playlist of songs. Choose songs which remind you of your schooldays or the dreams you have for the future. Ask each student to share a song that is meaningful to them.
7. Appreciate your teachers. Prepare a thankyou message for the teachers who’ve had a positive impact on you!
8. Hold a Small Ceremony with Your Family at Home: You can still have a fun graduation party. Get the family together and decorate with streamers and balloons that match your school's colors. Host a Video Chat Party with Family and Friends. Decorate your backgrounds and celebrate with the people who have cheered you on every step of the way. Order or bake a Graduation Cake. Take and Share Photos of Yourself in Your Cap and Gown. Create a Slideshow reflecting on your achievements and memories throughout your time in school. Encourage your friends and family to add personal messages.
Why are rituals an important part of bringing closure?
Researchers claim that “Being in close physical proximity with friends or other mourners helps produce feel-good hormones like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. When people aren’t physically present to say goodbye and grieve with other mourners, they may be more likely to experience a sense of ambiguous loss which makes it very hard to get closure. There’s often a lot of frustration and helplessness, because people feel disempowered”
Recent research suggests that rituals may be more rational than they appear. They can be an extremely effective way of alleviating the sorrow by recalling the cherished memories. Such as practice done along with a group of people help release oxytocin which is the chemical that speeds up the healing after a significant loss. This indicates how vital it is for young students and their families to ensure that they big goodbye’s by acknowledging the past one decade.
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