THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008
GRADUATION GUIDE
3
top 5 graduation songs
As seniors prepare to make the transition from college to the real world, so much is going on. I know some of us can't even believe that graduation day is knocking on our front door, but these songs might have what it takes to really put you in the mood for graduation.
Number Five: R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly"
No one can deny the importance of this classic Space Jam ballad, despite the sex tape scandal. It encourages all of us to "spread our wings and fly." If this song was enough motivation for Michael Jordan, there is no reason it can't be for any senior.
Number Four: 50 Cent's "I Get Money"
Probably not the most
thought of song for graduation, but I certainly think so. The New York rapper boasts about the money he has and the money he hopes to earn. I think all seniors can admit money is on their mind as they make the transition into real world jobs. Not to mention, 50 is on point lyrically and has put out a great party anthem.
Number Three: Eve 6's "Here's To the Night"
You'll take a stroll down memory lane thinking of your times at the University of Kansas listening to this rock ballad. Whether it was when you and your friends went to a fun house party, a crazy time at a bar or when we brought home the Orange Bowl or NCAA Championship. The rock trio does a good job of capturing the emotions that tend to run deep during graduation.
Number Two: Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"
I probably don't need to justify this one. It was a major anthem during our middle school and high school graduations, so why not for college? Hey, if it worked for Jerry Seinfeld when he wrapped up his sitcom Seinfeld in 1998, then it works for us.
Number One: Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"
This song will get any party or social gathering dancing in no time and is definitely a sing-along loved by many. The lyrics speak for themselves. Trust me when I say that this is must have on your graduation playlist.
10 graduation movies
BY ISADORA RANGEL editor@kansan.com
The semester is almost over, so catch up with some of these graduation movies before its time to go down the hill.
1. Legally Blonde (2001)
1. Legally Blonde (2001)
Elle Woods (Reese Withespoon) is a blonde sorority queen who gets
dumped by her
preppy boy-
friend.
To get him
back, she
follows him to Harvard Law. That's
when she finds out her skills in the classroom go beyond her ability to match different pink outfits. In the end, she graduates with honors.
2. Say Anything (1989)
2. Say Anything (1989)
It's graduation day for a Seattle high school and the last chance
that
Lloyd
Dobler
(John
Cusack)
has
to ask
out the
school's
"brain",
Diane
Court
(lone
Skye).
He finally invites her to a graduation party. They are fated to be together, but Diane is leaving in 16 weeks for college in England. Things get tough when the IRS starts investigating her father. But don't worry, this is a chick flick and in the end everything works out.
3. Mona Lisa Smile (2003) Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) is a liberal art-history teacher who is invited to teach at Wellesley College, an all-girls school. She soon finds out her progressive feminist ideas cause
conflict with her students' aspirations of getting married and becoming housewives after
graduation. But slowly, Katherine changes their minds before the big day.
4. American Pie (1999)
Not much to explain about this teenage classic. Four friends
make a pact:
they have to lose their virginity before graduating. Prom night is coming and
it is their last chance to get laid before going to college. Who cares about getting a diploma? Sex is way more important than graduating with honors.
5. Van Wilder (2002)
Popular Van Wilder (Ryan Reynolds) loves college life so much
he has been living it for seven years. But when his dad puts a stop to his cash flow, all his years of partying
catch up with him. Now it is time to graduate, and he needs to pay for it. The solution: using his party-planning skills for profit. In the meantime, he tries to score with hot school reporter, Gwen Pearson (Tara Reid), who is in charge of writing a story about his saga.
In this movie, Adam Sandler plays Billy Madison, a rich guy who
6. Billy Madison (1995)
lives the
the good life,
reaping the benefits
of his father's
hotel chain.
To prove his competence and
Adam&Kendler
Billy Madison
This book is a celebration of the life of Billy Madison.
take over daddy's business, he is challenged to pass elementary and high school in the course of 24 weeks (two weeks for each grade). Meanwhile, he falls in love with his teacher and is sabotaged by his father's greedy protégé, Eric. He finally graduates but decides to pass the hotel to one of his father's businessmen and go to college to become a teacher.
7. The Prince and Me (2004) This modern fairy tale stars Julia Stiles as Paige, a University of Wisconsin senior who dreams of becoming
the prince of Denmark, incognito. When she finds out the truth about his royal status she has to make the decision of becoming the future Danish queen or graduating and going to medical school.
8. The Graduate (1967)
Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) just graduated from college and doesn't know what to do with his life. Worried about his future and undecided whether he should follow the commercial path of his rich family or not, he puts himself in deeper woes when he starts
sleeping with Mrs.
Robinson,
the wife of his father's business partner.
9. With Honors (1994)
Harvard undergraduate Montgomery Kessler (Brendan Fraser) is expecting to graduate with honors after he turns in his senior thesis.
After a computer crash, he is left only with one hard copy of it. To make it even worse, the copy
ends up in the hands of a squatter called Simon (Joe Pesci). They make a deal: for every day's food Simon will return one page of Monty's thesis.
10. Can't Hardly Wait (1998) Inspired by '80s teen movies, this one is set mostly at a high-school graduation party. It shows the plans different characters have
for the night.
Like in other high-school movies,
there is the prom queen who just broke up with her
boyfriend, the geek who wants to declare his love for her, the virgin guy who is desperately trying for his first time and the cynical girl who doesn't fit into the whole getting drunk and laid thing.
Making graduation parties personal, memorable
BY KATY SAUNDERS editor@kansan.com
Graduation parties in college are a lot different from high school graduation parties. You are celebrating something much bigger, a bigger accomplishment and a bigger next step. Most college graduation parties are much more personal. For some, it is the first time family and friends have come to visit them at the University. For others, it is just another visit. For all, it is the last before the alumni tag is put in place.
Choosing where to celebrate
graduation can be difficult. Many students choose to play host to their own parties, inviting friends and family to come for an open house or other get-to-together. Whatever your style, whether it be a backyard barbecue or a classy cocktail party, throwing a party in your own home has its advantages. You won't have to worry about reserving a banquet room, and you'll be in a memorable location, your college apartment.
Others choose to put on parties at a memorable Lawrence business. Everyone has that one special place in Lawrence that holds all
of their best memories. For some graduation day will be the last day
in Lawrence to say good-bye to those places they love. With family and friends in town and a reason to celebrate, there is no better time to go to that one place you love or the one place you always
There is no better time to go to that one place you love or the one place you always wanted to go but never found the time or money.
wanted to go but never found the time or money.
Lawrence has numerous places to accommodate these families
serious places these families and friends that want to celebrate your accomplishments. HH Bar and Grill, 4931 W. Sixth St., is already completely booked for May 18, the day of commencement. Tim Waters, a
manager at HH, said they were still taking reservations for Saturday
but that it was filling up quickly. And for those upcoming seniors, Watters said it was never too early to book your party.
Another option is the much adored Lawrence original, Free State Brewing Co., 636 Massachusetts St. Free State is where Cassandra Walter, El Dorado senior, made reservations to celebrate with her family and friends. Walter has about 10 guests coming to commemorate her graduation. They will celebrate Sunday night at Free State, and Monday afternoon she will be having another party at a local hotel
Whether it's a backyard barbecue or an elegant steak dinner, celebrating your graduation is a must. It is one of life's greatest accomplishments, and it shouldn't go uncelebrated. If you don't have friends or family coming to town, or you don't even go to the actual ceremony, grab your friends and go have one last beer at The Wheel and say good-bye to the sweet college life. Think back on all your years at KU, especially this last one, and toast to an even better future.
"Other than that, I plan on going to a lot of bars." Walter said.