Were you wondering how to wear a graduation cap and tassel correctly? We’re here to help.
Schools expect students to properly wear their graduation regalia during the ceremony. If your cap or tassel is positioned incorrectly, you could miss out on one of the most time-honored parts of this tradition.
Follow these simple steps to make sure your cap fits well, your tassel is placed correctly, and you look great when you receive your diploma .
No one knows what the weather will be like on graduation day. If the wind picks up, your cap could fly off before you even make it to the stage. Most graduates only want their cap airborne at the very end of the ceremony, so getting the fit right matters.
Step 1: Remove the Cap from Packaging
Unwrap your mortarboard and remove any packaging materials.
Step 2: Adjust Your Hair and Stretch the Cap Open
In the days before graduation, try on your cap and gown while looking in the mirror. Practice putting the cap on and taking it off a few times. Then try doing it without a mirror so you can calmly fix it on graduation day if needed.
Before putting the cap on, part long hair to one side. If you have short hair, tuck it behind your ears. Then unfold and gently stretch the cap open so it fits comfortably over your head.
Step 3: Make Sure the Cap Is Placed Correctly
Try on your graduation cap to make sure it fits. If it feels loose, reach out to your graduation coordinator or use bobby pins to help hold it in place.
The correct angle is when the front point of the mortarboard sits centered on your forehead, between your eyes.
The elastic band and tag should be centered at the back of your head. Do not tilt the cap backward. It should sit flat on top of your head.
Step 4: Adjust Your Hair with the Cap On
Make final adjustments to your hair with the cap in place and make sure everything feels secure and looks polished.
Step 5: Smooth the Tassel Strands
Remove your graduation tassel from its protective sleeve and check for any tangled strands.
Step 6: Hook the Tassel onto the Button
Secure the loop of the tassel onto the button at the center top of the mortarboard and make sure it is firmly attached.
Step 7: Position the Tassel on the Correct Side
Before the ceremony, place the tassel on the right side of your mortarboard while you are wearing it.
If you are receiving anything lower than a Master’s degree, such as a high school diploma or Bachelor’s degree, you will be instructed to move the tassel from the right side to the left side once you are officially declared a graduate.
If you are receiving a graduate degree, your tassel stays on the left side throughout the ceremony.
Recommended Tip: Practice moving the tassel from right to left before the ceremony so you do not have to worry about it falling off or getting stuck.
Step 8: Get Ready to Graduate
Once your cap and tassel are in place, you are ready for the big moment.
Where Do I Order My Graduation Cap?
If you are preparing for graduation and still need a graduation cap and gown , GraduationSource offers a wide selection of high-quality options tailored to meet the needs of every student.
You can browse styles, colors, and customization options to match your school’s requirements and place your order through a simple, user-friendly shopping experience.
What Do I Do with My Cap After Graduation?
What graduates do with their caps after the ceremony varies, but here are some common options:
- Keep it as a souvenir: Many graduates save their cap as a reminder of their academic journey.
- Decorate and display it: Personalized caps can become meaningful keepsakes or wall art.
- Gift it to someone special: Some graduates pass their cap on to a mentor, parent, or friend as a thank-you.
- Recycle or donate it: Others choose to give their cap to future students or recycle it sustainably.
- Celebrate the tradition: Some graduates toss their caps in the air and then keep them as part of that memory.
Whatever you choose, your graduation cap remains a symbol of hard work, achievement, and the close of a major chapter in your life.
