Decided not to attend my graduation

I think graduation ceremonies are more for families and parents than for the person graduating. I wouldn't of had anyone to come to mine which was another big factor in not going to it.

hypercolius said:

astrophysics course in the UK. 

Like Brian May! I understand your reasons for not going, but feel sad for you - you worked hard and certainly deserve an award and recognition. But you have the certificate, know you achieved this [despite your autism] and should be VERY proud of yourself.

I did attend my MSc. in Mental Health Practice graduation, but nearly missed the ceremony because I went with someone I hardly knew who claimed to know where the venue was, but got us lost. I treasure the photograph but don't remember the moment the Chancellor shook my hand - at 54 I was dazed and overwhelmed to actually believe I could do this, when all my life I'd been disregarded - by my parents too. I was mostly ignored by peers but got on well with the tutors, and spent most of the time in the gardens or library. I preferred being sidelined to being bullied as I was at work - but that impacted at Uni too, as one of the bullies was my supervisor and a co-student. When she failed the exams, she blamed me!

I read all the responses to your thread and feel very, very sad. All you highly intelligent, insightful and supportive folk, yet feeling unhappy and disregarded by those who ought to be in awe of you. That peer students were spiteful, envious, unsupportive and downright cruel is shocking - they are a disgrace to the world-wide community of students who like to believe themselves modern, supportive campaigners; not bigots, abelists and bullies. Perhaps their ought to be special Universities of Autistic Students, which would be renowned for their ethical stance, inclusivity and kindness - with virtual Degree ceremonies.

you did what you needed to for yourself don't let people make you feel bad

I did attend mine and found it rather boring to be honest - most exciting part was walking on the stage and getting my 'degree' - was anxious but then proud I'd done it 

Why would anyone criticize you just because you decided to graduate in absentia. Lots of people do that. I certainly did it with three of my degrees. (The exception was a BSc from sometime in prehistory -- in those days you had to be literally capped with an ancient velvet hat to be considered a graduate of Glasgow). 

I didn't either, it would of cost me about £400 to hire the gowns and stuff, I needed a new washing machine, graduation paraphanalia or a washing machine, no brainer the washing machine was a priority.

Not only that I would of squirmed all the way through it, embarassed and uncomfortable.

I turned up to my graduation ceremony recently. I can imagine what you are going through, just minimally. When I went to that ceremony, I felt small and unimportant. When I got my degree, it was the best thing that happened to me, aside from the acknowledgement and the handshakes. Of course, I had to be polite. There were a bunch of young people there, who I didn't know. I spoke to at least one person I knew from a first year history course. We chatted minimally, but then I kept my mouth shut. In fact, I am a very wary, guarded and reserved person. Don't take this the wrong way, but you shouldn't focus on other people (if that is what is bothering you). You are there for you. No one else. As an autistic person, I felt out of place, but I pushed through it. The only thing that bothered me was the screams. My hyperacusis was bothering me too much. Now that I think about it, I disliked sitting next to, on either side of other graduates. My sensory issues were still there, minimally, but I powered through the whole thing. In fact, I think this was a good day, but I can barely notice my sensory issues. I hate it when people sit behind me. It is an invasion of my "privacy". That being said, I managed to outgrow that situation. I think I handled it better. 

I have plenty of academic qualifications,  yet I have never attended a graduation ceremony,  mine or anyone else's.  I just dont see the point of all the pomp and ceremony.    Other people see things differently.  My sister didn't speak to me for a year because I didn't invite her to my Master's degree ceremony. 

Full story is:  I went to the university for the eduction and qualification,  I couldn't give a cat's poo about the ceremony.  So when I got the online invitation,  I didn't hesitate to decline to attend and click that I needed zero tickets.

My sister however, took it for granted that she was going to be invited.  A week after I had declined the invitation,  she emailed me, inviting herself to my graduation ceremony.   When I told her I wasn't going. She uninvited me to her family christmas dinner and didn't speak to me for a year.

She had worked decades at the university in computer support and had never been to a graduation ceremony. 

Many, many years ago. I didn't attend my first degree ceremony either. I received the tickets in the post and tore them up as soon as opened the envelope.   Several days later a couple of students from my course came round and offered to buy my guest tickets.  Unfortunately the torn up tickets were at the bottom of the bin covered in rotting tea bags.

I didnt either. In my case no one cared and that was okay for me.

However, I am sadden by the reasons for it. I had the luck of being ignored (and preferred that) but only rarely bullied.

I didn't go to mine either. I was going to, but when I found out how much they wanted to charge to hire the clothes (and they couldn't even give me an exact quote - just xyz might be about £10 more etc), I gave up. That was after I'd gone to extensive effort to actually contact the college to get information about what was actually happening on the day (they couldn't be bothered to let me know).

A number of years later I actually sent my certificates back to the college with a letter explaining what a useless waste of money they were.

I didn't attend my college graduation.  I didn't think it was worth it.  I spent two years in a special needs work experience programme just to end up in a job that wasn't challenging enough for me.