While some plan to attend for family, others say the ceremony feels unnecessary after finishing their degree
By: Edin Pelinkoviq
As graduation approaches CSI, many students are choosing not to attend the ceremony, saying it feels unnecessary, time-consuming, or more important to their families than to themselves. While commencement is meant to celebrate years of work, some students say the experience no longer holds the same meaning.
A growing number of CSI students say they would rather skip the long ceremony and move on to their next steps. For some, the decision comes down to personal preference, while for others it reflects a lack of connection to the campus experience.
Aaron Molic, a graduating student, said he decided early on that he would not attend the ceremony.
“I never really felt connected to the school like that,” Molic said, “so going to graduation doesn’t mean much to me.”
Molic explained that his time at CSI felt more focused on getting work done than being part of a campus community. As a commuter student, he said he spent most of his time coming to campus for classes and leaving right after, which made it harder to build connections. Because of that, he said the ceremony does not feel like a meaningful ending to his college experience.
Another student, Rejhan Pelinku, also said he has no plans to attend graduation.
“It never really felt like something I needed to go to,” Pelinku said, “because finishing school itself is enough for me.”
Pelinku said that while he understands why some students attend, he personally does not feel connected to the tradition. He added that after years of focusing on classes, work, and responsibilities outside of school, the ceremony does not feel like a necessary final step. He said he would rather celebrate in a smaller, more personal way with people close to him.
While some students are choosing not to attend at all, others say they are only going for their families. Antonio Zingrapoli said he plans to be there, but not by choice.
“I’m really just going because my parents want me to,” Zingrapoli said, “they see it as a big moment even if I don’t.”
Zingrapoli explained that although he understands the importance of the milestone, the ceremony itself does not excite him. He said the long wait, large crowd, and formal setup make it feel more like an obligation than a celebration. Still, he said he recognizes that it is meaningful for his family to see him walk across the stage after years of hard work.
Students pointed to several reasons for skipping graduation, including the length of the ceremony, lack of personal connection to the school, and the idea that earning the degree is what truly matters. Some also mentioned scheduling conflicts, work responsibilities, and the desire to focus on what comes next instead of attending a long event.
At a commuter campus like CSI, where many students balance jobs and responsibilities outside of school, events like graduation may not carry the same weight. Many students are not on campus long enough to build strong ties, which can make large traditions feel less personal. Without a strong campus culture or consistent student engagement, commencement can feel distant or optional rather than something students look forward to.
Even so, for those who do attend, the ceremony still represents an important milestone. Family expectations, personal pride, and the chance to mark the achievement in a formal way continue to play a major role in attendance.
For students like Molic and Pelinku, however, the decision is simple.
“At the end of the day, I finished what I started,” Pelinku said, “and that matters more to me than walking across a stage.”
