To the Class of 2020, I get it. Just like many others, our worlds have been completely turned upside down by the current COVID-19 pandemic. What we thought would be the most exciting and nostalgic few months of our lives were suddenly taken away, and the future feels more uncertain than ever. To top it all off, we’re supposed to celebrate our past four years’ accomplishments through an online video stream?

Lightly put, it's rough.

Of course we all understand the importance of following guidelines and ensuring that this thing passes as quickly as possible, but really - how do you take a virtual graduation seriously?

Here are a few things that may help:

Brunch: Just because you can’t have a celebratory meal at your favorite restaurant post-ceremony doesn’t mean you can’t bring that favorite meal to you. Order brunch to eat while the ceremony is streaming. Don’t forget the mimosas for a toast!
Balloons: It’s not a party without them. Get plenty of balloons (streamers, banners, whatever) in your school’s colors and scatter them all around your house … just for fun.
Dress up: Put on an outfit you feel great in, and take a few fun pictures in your cap and gown at your remote location.
Stream on TV with fam: Connect your laptop to your TV through AirPlay or an HDMI cord so that the whole family can watch. Nobody wants to be crowded around a small computer screen.
Socially distant after-party: If it’s your thing, invite a few close friends and relatives for a very spread-out reception in your yard after the ceremony ends.
Plan something to look forward to: Whether it's a real graduation postponed by your school, a planned celebration with close friends in the future or a full-blown belated grad party, keep the celebration going. Give yourself and others something to look forward to, and it will definitely make your virtual graduation easier.