In college, students are presented with a variety of choices.
It's either go to class, don't go to class, turn in this paper late, stay out all night drinking, or spend that time in the library studying.
But every May, students are given their final choice: attend graduation, or skip it.
"I'm walking," said Mae Margaret Davis, senior in public relations.
"After working this hard to get my degree, I'm excited to have the opportunity to celebrate that accomplishment with my classmates."
Students are able to attend their graduation, skip it and have their diploma sent to them, or even walk early if they have extenuating circumstances.
"I graduate officially at the end of the summer after my internship, but I will be out of the country," said Whitney Johnson, senior in public relations. "I also want to be with my twin sister who graduates this coming weekend, too."
For some, the choice to walk or not is contingent on family.
"After working so hard for four years, I'm excited to walk and share that day with my friends and family," said Jennifer Leonard, senior in public relations.
"To the people that don't want to walk, I say if they don't want to walk, then that's up to them, but I can't imagine not wanting to after working so hard."
Johnson said she considered not walking because her family would have to make a long trip, but felt like it marked the definitive end of her college career.
"I did think about not walking just because my family has to make a long trip to come up, but now I feel like it is going to officiate my ending in college," Johnson said.
For Justin Luangkhot, senior in horticulture fruit and vegetable production, the choice not to walk was personal.
"The number one reason is because I took three years off from school, and I don't feel the desire to walk anymore," Luangkhot said.
"There has been a lot of pressure from my family, but I told them I paid for my college degree and I am choosing not to walk."
Luangkhot said that instead of attending graduation, he would probably be preparing to move.
"When I finish my Master's degree I am planning on walking for it," Luangkhot said. "Possibly any other degrees I choose to work towards as well."
Johnson said the presence of friends would make waiting more tolerable.
"I know it is annoying to wait, but it is a day where people are probably in a great mood so I think it is going to be fun to see everyone so happy," Johnson said.
"I am looking forward to seeing everyone who has worked hard in my classes all dressed up. It is just good to know that everyone has made it to the end."
Davis said she looked forward to sharing the experience with friends.
"I have a bunch of friends that I'm graduating with, and to all be there together with our other friends and family is an experience I know I'll never forget," Davis said.
"I'm so proud of everything this university represents, and I know it will be incredibly humbling to be one of many who are honored for our achievements next weekend."
Auburn's graduation is divided into four ceremonies based on major.
On Saturday, May 4, architecture, design and construction, education and human sciences students will graduate at 10 a.m., and agriculture and business students at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, May 5, engineering, sciences and mathematics students will graduate at 1 p.m., and forestry and wildlife sciences, interdisciplinary studies, liberal arts and nursing students at 5 p.m.
"I am looking forward to walking across the stage and hearing my name called," Leonard said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
